Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

On the 8th of October, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish hosted the Pilgrimage of Mercy: The Tour of the Major Relics of St. Maria Goretti. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Byrnes presided at a Solemn Mass celebrated in St. Maria's honor. This is Bishop Byrnes' homily from that Mass.

Fr. Riccardo reflects on the visit of Pope Francis to the United States in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Fr. John remarks that we must first encounter the love of God before we can truly understand church doctrine. He reminds the congregants that God is calling all of us to grow in faith, and to give witness to others of all that God has done for us.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish hosted a Welcome Mass on Sunday, September 13th. This podcast contains Fr. Riccardo's opening remarks from that Mass as well as his homily.

This is Fr. Riccardo's homily from the Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated at the start of the new school year.

While considering the gospel account from St. Mark (MK 7:31-37) of Jesus healing a deaf man, Fr. Riccardo discusses the importance of silence in our lives. Fr. John proposes  that the congregants spend some time each week before the exposed Blessed Sacrament in the Day Chapel to grow in their relationship with Christ.

Fr. Riccardo discusses how Christian life is taught in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Fr. John looks at the reasons behind the rules and the gift of the moral law, and points out that we need to encounter Christ before all the rules make sense. Fr. John proposes Alpha as a starting point for encountering Christ.

While reflecting on the first reading from Kings (1 KGS 19:4-8) and the gospel of St. John (JN 6:41-51), Fr. Riccardo tells us that we are not alone. Fr. John looks at food in the scripture readings as a foreshadowing of the Eucharist, and reminds the congregants that God will miraculously provide for us when we are not strong enough on our own to deal with the burdens of life. 

While focusing on the readings of this day (EZ 2:2-5, 2 COR 12:7-10, MK 6:1-6), Fr. Riccardo discusses our lack of trust in God. Fr. John tells the congregation that this can change through an encounter with Him. Fr. John encourages the congregants to respond to this encounter by surrendering, and doing everything for God with intense gratitude and devotion for the One who has done everything for us.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the marriage equality decision of the United States Supreme Court in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

While reflecting on recent events in the world and in our country, Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation whether anger is always sinful. Fr. John exhorts the congregants to, "Strive to do good as best we can, to ask the Lord for the grace to get angry about the right things in the right way, and to pray for those who are most in need of God's mercy."