I’ve been asked to introduce myself as I start ministry here at St Joseph and St Mary parishes in Freeport. First of all, I’m very glad to be here. God has led my family and me to a few different places these past years, and it’s always exciting to meet new people.

I grew up in Menominee, and went to grade school at Nativity BVM School. I graduated from East Dubuque High School and worked for a number of years in various careers including radio, flooring and cabinet sales, and in logistics. My wife Dee Dee and I will be celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary in August, and we have six children between us: four from our first marriages, and Samuel and Joseph, who are ours together.
I was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2014, and I like to say I’m not a normal deacon, because I have served in four different parishes in the past six years, not counting the Freeport ones. With that being said, I’m hoping that we are called to stay here for a long time. I work in ministry, serving as the Spiritual Care Director at Presence St Joseph Center here in Freeport. When the opportunity came up at Presence, we were excited to move closer to home, and God has blessed us greatly in allowing this.
We are enjoying our time here in Freeport, getting acclimated with the city, moving into our house, and being closer to our four adult children and two grandchildren who live in the Dubuque area. We look forwarding to serving here and getting to know you all. God Bless You!
— Deacon Mike Timmerman