Born in Plainfield in 1945, Msgr. Desmond attended Seton Hall Prep and Seton Hall University.  He studied for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary, then at Darlington, and was ordained by Archbishop Thomas A. Boland on May 29, 1971.

Among his parochial assignments were Holy Trinity, Westfield (1971-1983), Queen of Peace, No. Arlington (1983-1988) Pastor of St. John the Baptist, Jersey City (1988-1994) and Pastor of St. Stephen, Kearny (1994-2005).  He was Dean of Deanery 10, Jersey City Heights, and was the Episcopal Vicar of Hudson County from 1994-2003.  He was made a prelate of honor by Pope John Paul II in 1995.

He has served as chaplain of Knights of Columbus Councils in Westfield, North Arlington, and Jersey City; and as chaplain to the Friendly Sons in Hudson County, the AOH (Ancient Order of Hibernians), and the West Hudson United Irish.