Deacon Rick Cooper extends warm greetings as a deacon of the Archdiocese ordained on June 23, 2012. For the past eleven years, he has had the privilege of serving at St. Mary's parish and now assists at both St. Mary's and St. Joseph's, delivering the homily one weekend per month at each.

In addition to his pastoral duties, Deacon Rick is actively involved in a ministry of charity, particularly in taking Holy Communion to the residents of Guerin Woods—a service that brings him deep fulfillment and allows him to extend the Eucharistic presence to those in need.

Deacon Rick's journey into the Catholic Church began during Easter of 2004, marking a significant turning point in his faith life. Outside of his church ministry, he serves as the Executive Director at Harrison County Community Services, which is dedicated to providing a safety net for individuals in need within the community.

Before his current role, Deacon Rick dedicated most of his career to social services, working with organizations like Seven County Services and Volunteers of America. He also gained experience in retail with Kellers and Quality Farm and Fleet.

Deacon Rick and his wife, Diane, have celebrated 40 years of marriage and are blessed with three grown children. In his leisure time, he enjoys reading, trains, photography, and nature exploration, often accompanied by their three dogs—a lively trio of two boxers and an English Mastiff.

Serving the parish community and beyond is a duty and a true privilege for Deacon Rick. He strives to embody the spirit of charity and compassion in all aspects of his life and is grateful for the community's trust and support. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need support—Deacon Rick is here for you.