From The Beacon newspaper:
On May 30, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney ordained eight men of different backgrounds as permanent deacons to embrace lives of love and service to God’s people in the Paterson Diocese, N.J. The bishop urged these men to become instruments of unity in their new ministry to a Church and world in need of it, before ordaining them during a Mass at the Cathe¬dral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J.
During the Mass, steeped in traditions of the Church, Bishop Sweeney ordained Deacon Stephen Deehan of St. Luke Parish in the Long Valley of Washington Township, N.J., Deacon Paul DePinto of St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln Park, N.J., Deacon Timothy P. Dunmyer of St. Jude Parish in Hopatcong, N.J., Deacon James Gillespie of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Mountain Lakes, N.J., Deacon Tobi Ippolito of Holy Family Parish in Florham Park, N.J., Deacon Tom Kimble of St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in the Budd Lake neighborhood of Mount Olive Township, N.J., Deacon Gregory Marchesi of St. Therese Parish in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township, N.J., Deacon Elmer Lopez Maximo of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway, N.J.
In his homily, Bishop Sweeney told the new deacons, “In our union with Christ, we have the gifts and the power of the Holy Spirit to make unity a reality.”
“Holy Communion can build community. Act as a bridge of unity in the Church and for the Church. When you proclaim and preach the Gospel, you are helping hearers to find their way to heaven,” Bishop Sweeney told the deacons. “We must know God’s people as best we can. Listen to them in a synodal spirit. Be concerned for their lives,” he said.
Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!
