Deacon Dick

Richard Matthews is a Permanent Deacon assigned to Saint Mary of the Angels. Besides Liturgical function appropriate to a deacon, he is also the chairperson of the parish Liturgy Committee in charge of Baptismal preparation, a member of the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) team, and a member of the Pro-Life Committee.

A native of Amsterdam, New York, Deacon Dick is the son of Irene and Anthony Matthews. He attended Catholic Schools and graduated from Saint Mary's Institute. His formal education includes an Associate of Arts degree from Mater Christi Seminary, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Language (Latin) from Saint Bonaventure University and an M.S. Ed in Counseling from Saint Bonaventure University. Recently he completed his Master of Arts degree in Theology from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York. He has been a member of Saint Mary of the Angels since 1969 and was a Eucharistic Minister. He entered diaconal formation and was ordained at Saint Joseph's Cathedral (Buffalo, New York) in June, 2000, by Bishop Henry J. Mansell and also was appointed to the Campus Ministry of Saint Bonaventure University.

He is married to the former Linda J. Coleman and they have three adult children; Jessica, Lea and Jordan. Deacon Dick is currently retired from Public Education. For 34 years he was employed at the Ellicottville Central School District where, over his career, he held several positions including Teacher of Latin, English and Remedial Reading, Guidance Counselor for grades 7-12, District Coordinator of Testing, District Mediator and Chairperson of the Committee on Special Education. Currently, he is a part-time adjunct faculty member of Jamestown Community College; Olean Campus.