Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

The annual parish mission is being held from February 26th to February 29th. Fr. Michael Fones, O.P., is leading this year's mission titled Put Out Into the Deep. This is Fr. Fones homily from the 5 PM Mass prior to the start of the mission.

While considering the gospel reading from St. Mark (Mk 2:1-12), Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation to bring their concerns and prayer intentions to the altar of the Lord at the offeratory.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the recent health care mandate from the Department of Health and Human Services. Fr. John shares a letter from Most Rev. Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing, posted on the diocesan website. Fr. John encourages the congregation to vist the Michigan Catholc Conference website and the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website to learn about this issue. He also aks the parishioners to set aside Presidents' Day, February 20th, as a day of prayer and fasting as a parish family for our country and our leaders.

Fr. Riccardo reflects on the sacrament of marriage in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. While focusing on today's second reading from St. Paul (1 Cor 7:32-35), Fr. John remarks that marriage is a special charism given by God to a couple for a public purpose.

Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that we are all called to be prophets. While reflecting on the message of repentance from today's readings (Jon 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20), Fr. John encourages the congregation to speak on God's behalf with courage and charity on the major moral issues that confront us.

Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to spend time in prayful reflection with one line from this week's readings. The readings for this Sunday are 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; and Jn 1:35-42.

In this homily for The Feast of the Epiphany, Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation whether Jesus is the star that guides their lives. The readings for this day are Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; and Mt 2:1-12.

In this homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Fr. Riccardo considers the life of Mary, and encourages the congregation to begin each day in the new year with silent reflection and prayer, considering all that God has done for us.

In this homily from Christmas Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to ask God to give them eyes to see and a mind to understand all that God has done for them. Fr. John remarks that adults can learn from watching how children approach Christmas with a sense of awe and wonder.

While reflectng on the Announciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary from today's gospel reading (Luke 1:26-38), Fr. Riccardo asks, "What makes it possible for Mary to say yes?"