Rev. Matthew Stanley Wotelko O.S.B.

as we approach yet another year without Father Matthew, I share a family photo taken at our home in May 1968 when I was confirmed and my brother got his First Holy Communion. Pictured with Matthew are 5 lovely ladies. From left, his Aunt Barbara, his mother, his sister Julianne still living in Florida, himself, peeking in on the right, his cousin Barbara and seated right, his cousin Ed's wife, Barbara. Surrounded by beauty and lots of Barbaras!!! I can still hear his laugh......

I remember about 25 years ago during a very crowded Easter Sunday Mass as Fr. Matthew was walking along offering the sign of peace when my then 2 year old son scooted up along side him to shake hands with everyone. As I went to stop him, Father smiled and motioned to me to let him stay. This was typical of Fr. Matthew. May he rest in peace.

Fr. Matthew is my second cousin on my mother's side. I will always be thankful for the memory's as a child growing up he attended my communion, confirmation, and offered a guiding light throughout my lifetime. Fr. Mathew would talk to me as a friend and offer an alternative rather than an opinion which was the nature of his advice.
He gave me a different perspective throughout times of despair, which touched my heart in many ways.
I can only hope he rest in peace and we meet up...

Dear Matthew/Buddy:
At first you werethe littlest cousin,
following along behind the rest of us.Then,you became the tallest and most educated of us all.We came to respectyour views on God and Theology.
Yiu were there in times of family loss and also happier celebrations.Now, along with your Mom and Dad and all other loved ones gone on ahead,youare in the welcome arms of God.
Love, Cousin Rich and Jody.

Fr. Matthew was a fine example of the Twelve Steps in action. He lead several retreats for our Matt Talbot group and was a member of our group also ( 88-130).
His wry sense of humor worked well with his stories concerning recovering from the disease of alcoholism.He will be missed. Thank you for your life, Fr.Matthew.

Fr. Matthew is my second cousin on my father's side. I remember when I was a child, he would come to our family functions with his sister Julie Ann and share the most contagious laugh. He later performed my marriage ceremony and presided over some family funerals and shared in the joy of other sacraments in the extended family. He was always a comfort and will be missed.