Rev. George Joseph

Pastor

Rev. George Joseph was born in Kerala, India. After high school, he entered seminary formation in Northeast India, where he also taught and assisted with diocesan administration. He holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from North Eastern Hill University and a Master of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome.

Fr. George was ordained in 1994 for the Missionary Diocese of Tura, India, and began his ministry among the Garo Tribes. In 1996, he came to the Archdiocese of Newark, where he served in hospital ministry for twelve years, completed Clinical Pastoral Education training, and earned a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University.

He later transitioned to parish ministry, serving as Parochial Vicar at parishes in Bayonne and Livingston. Fr. George is passionate about celebrating the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, and promoting devotions rooted in cultural traditions.

Now serving as Pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Fr. George brings a spirit of welcome, service, and missionary zeal to the parish community.

Msgr. Gerry McCarren

I have been privileged to serve at Holy Trinity parish since September 1996, and I have found a real home here. I am filled with gratitude for Christ’s goodness so evident to me in the parishioners. During this same time I have served at Immaculate Conception Seminary, the School of Theology of Seton Hall University in South Orange, as a teacher of Systematic Theology, specifically in the field of Liturgy and Sacraments.  I am a graduate of Delbarton, Yale (B.A.), my own seminary (M.Div.) and The Catholic University of America (S.T.L., S.T.D.). I have maintained a particular interest in the contribution of Blessed John Henry Newman, the 19th Century English cardinal, and in ecumenical dialogue through the privilege I enjoyed of being a Vatican-appointed member of the Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council.

 My principle ministry has long been serving as the seminary’s Spiritual Director, which gives me the grace of closely accompanying seminarians, religious men and women, lay students, priests and others in their lives of prayer. During summers I have enjoyed the privilege of teaching and ministering spiritual direction to seminarians from throughout the U.S. and Canada at The Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. I am very grateful for the graces I have received there, at the seminary and at our parish.

Tom Pluta

Retired Deacon

Deacon Tom and his family joined Holy Trinity in 1970. He and his wife, Barbara (deceased) were married in 1965 and have three daughters, Ellen, Erika (deceased) and Jessica and six grandchildren: Arabella, Luke, Colette, Ethan, Jack and Will. A graduate of Rutgers University, he worked in environmental protection at the local, state and international levels. Deacon Tom began his third career as a full-time deacon here at Holy Trinity in 2000 as ministry coordinator along with his regular liturgical duties of baptizing, preaching, witnessing marriages and conducting wake services. He was ordained in May, 1992.  Life in Pieces is his favorite television show. 

Doreen Notar

Director of Faith Formation

I have lived in Westfield and have been a parishioner at Holy Trinity Parish for 23 years! I have been married for 28 years to my husband Miles, and we have a 27-year-old daughter, Nicole, who attended Holy Trinity School and received all her sacraments at Holy Trinity! I have been actively involved in the Family Faith Formation Program at Holy Trinity for 14 years as a catechist for 2nd, 7th & 8th grades, as well as preparing the 9th & 10th graders for the Sacrament of Confirmation. For the past 7 years, I have been the Administrative Assistant in Faith Formation, and I am so excited to take on my new role as the Director of Family Faith Formation.  

Prior to my time in parish ministry, I worked at Holy Trinity School, where I assisted children with various learning disabilities. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, who also live in Westfield. We are so fortunate to still do Sunday dinners together! I love to cook and enjoy spending time at the beach! My other guilty pleasure is watching reality television; I am a Bravo super fan!

Donna Campanella

Administrative Assistant Faith Formation

I have a long-standing connection with Holy Trinity Church, beginning in 1997 when I started as a part-time secretary at Holy Trinity School. In 2007, I moved across the street to become the administrative assistant at the front desk of Holy Trinity Rectory, a role I fulfilled until my retirement in 2019. However, retirement made me realize how much I missed my Holy Trinity Family. So, in 2020, I returned part-time to work with Patricia Martin in Youth Ministry.

This summer, I accepted the position of administrative assistant in the Family Faith Formation Program while continuing to support Patricia in Youth Ministry. I’ve been happily married to my husband, Vincent, for 44 years, and we’re the proud parents of two grown sons, Nicholas and Steven.

Outside of work, I find joy in traveling, gardening, baking, and sewing. But most importantly, I cherish an organized, neat, and germ-free desk!

Patricia Merlucci

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES

Pat leads church choirs, accompanies Mass on organ and piano, and oversees special liturgies and programs. She offers private lessons from her studio and teaches Elementary School Band for the Wayne Public School District.  For pleasure, she is an avid concertgoer, loves to cook, read chamber music, and walk her dog, Zoie. She holds a BA from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and an MA from Rutgers University. Pat is a lifelong student of professional workshops to support her responsibilities and curiosity.

Her venues as a soloist, accompanist, and member of a chamber music group include libraries, churches, and radio in the tri-state area, as well as Boston and San Diego. Innovative programming has been her passion and signature as an artist. As music director, Pat welcomes musicians of all ages, levels, and musical styles to participate in any church project that complements their schedule. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community at Holy Trinity and dreams of developing an outreach music program and contributing to the artistic life in Westfield.

Sara Hedgepeth

DIRECTOR OF CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE

Sara Hedgepeth has been directing the Contemporary Ensemble as a staff member since 2006.  A group of volunteer musicians including Sara started the Ensemble in the late 90’s and the idea took hold and became a regular part of the music scene at Holy Trinity.  Music and theatre have always been in her life.  She worked in the professional theatre for most of her career.  Sara has three grown children and now three grandchildren.  She is married to Tom Schaefer, a member of the Ensemble.   When not behind the keys, Sara can be found at the Westfield Memorial Library where she works part-time.  The Ensemble is more than a musical group, it is a community.  Join us! 

Laurie Realmuto

Office Administrator

Laurie joined Holy Trinity in 2002 with the opening of the Mountainside Campus. In 2012, she moved to the Westfield Campus as school secretary and supervisor of the aftercare program. In July 2019, she came across the street to take the Administrative Assistant position for the Church – and we don’t know what we would do without her! Laurie welcomes and helps parishioners while continuously assisting the staff and keeping the church office and building going.