St. Joseph Parish in Appleton is saying farewell to the Rev. C.F. Dedman after a decade of dedicated service.

The Rev. James Leary wrote of the kindness Dedman has shown to St. Joseph’s parishioners, from the parish office to a hospital bedside, in the July 12 church bulletin. Dedman, later in the bulletin, recalled attending his first Mass at St. Joseph with his wife Deb in 1984.

He first began to work for the parish in 2002 and was ordained in 2010. However, with ordination comes a higher calling, and that calling came in the form of an immediate need for a deacon at Holy Spirit Parish in Kimberly Darboy.

The Rev. C.F. Dedman | https://www.saintjosephparish.org/

“I was not planning on leaving St. Joe’s,” Dedman wrote. “As a deacon, I have made a commitment to serve the people of our Diocese. After much prayer, discernment and discussions with my wife and consultation with Fr. Jim, I have made the decision to accept the new assignment, which will be a good opportunity for me.”

Dedman began his new assignment on July 15.

Leary thanked Dedman on behalf of the parish for all the work he has done in his service to God.

“As he has shared his talents with us, I am confident that he will bless Holy Spirit Parish in Kimerly Darboy,” Leary wrote.

For his part, Dedman thanked the members of the parish, whom he said made him and Deb feel welcome from the start, and through their time raising a family as members of the parish.

“I thank all who have accepted me as a pastoral minister and then as a deacon,” Dedman wrote. “The people make this parish special. I have no doubt you will continue to make it special.”