Author Archives: S. J. Tagliareni

My first real awareness that Jack Murphy could be as zany as me occurred in November of his first year at Holy Trinity. He knew I loved the opera so he decided to treat me to dinner in New York … Continue reading →

We were blessed in Holy Trinity to have many persons committed to social justice. Not everyone was rich in Westfield but by and large it was an upscale community. However, some of our brothers and sisters were marginalized and lived … Continue reading →

As the first year progressed Jack and I had conversations deep into the night as to what we could do systemically to make a difference in the lives of others. The topics that we focused on beyond the ordinary functions … Continue reading →

I can still see him standing in the hallway of the rectory, cigarette in hand and perfectly dressed with Clark Kent glasses. It was my first impression of someone who was to become a major influence in my life.I hardly … Continue reading →

There are two lines from Broadway shows that stuck with me as I began my teaching career in the parish.One was from the King and I.It said”When you are a teacher by your students you will be taught.The other was … Continue reading →

One of the primary responsibilities of a parish should be to concentrate on the growth and development of all of the children not just those that attend the parish schools. Much to my amazement there was a negative perception at … Continue reading →

For years as children growing up in the Catholic tradition we read story after story about the lives of the saints. They were noble people from all walks of life who embraced the total dedication to God. Many gave even … Continue reading →

The population f Westfield  in the 1960’swas rapidly changing  and what once had been predominantly a Protestant community had a growing  influx of Catholic and Jewish citizens. Due to this fact many of the marriages performed in Holy Trinity Parish … Continue reading →

Life in a parish is a microcosm of what happens in the lives of people.There are moments of great joy and times when the pain of others is searing.For me that first summer in Westfield the pain of another was … Continue reading →

Diversity is a wonderful gift in a parish rectory because no one size fits all. In our rectory at Holy Trinity there were four different approaches to ministry and life. The Pastor rapidly gaining on ninety years of age was … Continue reading →