On Saturday, June 7, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will ordain Deacon Joseph Samuel DeMarzo III and Deacon Brendon John Harfmann as the newest priests of the Paterson Diocese during a Mass at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson.
Priests from the diocese and beyond will concelebrate the Mass of the Rite of Ordination, steeped in the rich traditions of the early Church. Deacons and seminarians will assist at the liturgy. The faithful are invited to attend the Mass to pray for the new priests and as a sign of encouragement.
The biographies of the two deacons follow:
Deacon Brendon John Harfmann
He was born on April 22, 1994, in Queens, N.Y., to Lawrence and Kim Harfmann of Glendale, N.Y. His siblings are Timothy and Kaitlin Harfmann.
Deacon Harfmann’s parish and current assignment is Our Lady of the Magnificat in Kinnelon.
He earned a high school diploma from the Cathedral Preparatory Seminary in Queens, N.Y., in 2012, a bachelor’s degree in philosophy/theology from St. John’s University in Queens in 2016, and a Master of Divinity cum laude from St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Penn., in 2022.
Deacon Joseph Samuel DeMarzo III
He was born on July 23, 1993, at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston to Joseph Jr. and Deborah DeMarzo of Madison.
Deacon DeMarzo’s parish is Corpus Christi in Chatham Township.
He graduated from Chatham High School in 2012, Holy Apostles College and Seminary in 2019, and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in 2024.
