Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

Fr. Riccardo tells the congregation that God wants us to walk out of Mass each Sunday transformed. He wants us to be made holy through our participation in the liturgy, and to become more like Him. While reflecting on the readings of this day (Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28), Fr. John remarks that we should leave Mass with God's love spilling out of us and onto those we encounter each day.

While reflecting on events in the parish during the past week and on the day's scripture readings (Is 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Pt 3:8-11; Mk 1:1-8), Fr. Riccardo asks, "What is the purpose of time?" Fr. John suggests that God gives us time so that we might come to know Him, so that we might change our ways, and so that we might change the immediate world in which we live.

While reflecting on the gospel reading from St. Matthew (Mt 25:31-46), Fr. Riccardo reflects on judgment day. Fr. John encourages the congregation to "wake up to living rightly," and to look for Jesus in the faces of those we encounter in our daily lives.

Fr. Riccardo tells the congregation that God wants to judge us, and that His judgment need not be negative. While considering the gospel reading from St. Matthew (Mt 25:14-30), Fr. John encourages the congregation to consider how they are using the gifts that God has bestowed on each of us.

Fr. Riccardo's homily from the Memorial Mass for Prenatal and Stillborn Loss is presented here.

On November 8th, Fr. Riccardo presided at a memorial Mass for parents who have experienced the painful loss of a young child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or other traumatic events. This is a podcast of the audio from that Mass with minimal edits. It is presented here in an effort to offer consolation to parents everywhere who have experienced such a loss, with our prayer that Our Lady of Good Counsel will comfort you in your sorrow. The parish community thanks vocalist Karen Ervin and our music directory, Matthew Samelak, for their assistance with this liturgy.

Fr. Riccardo recognizes parish volunteers in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. While honoring parishioners as Pillars of the Parish, Fr. John reminds the congregation of the importance of expressions of gratitude and encourges them to show gratitude to God for all that He has done for us.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the new Roman Missal in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John remarks that the changes in the new translation of the prayers used at Mass provide us an opportunity for a renewal of our faith and provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the mystery of the Mass.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the state of the parish is this homily for the October 8-9 weekend.

Father Riccardo asks the congregation, "What are we doing with the investment that God has made in us?" While reflecting on the readings of this day (Is 5:1-7, Phil 4:6-9, and Mt 21:33-43) and on the Sacrament of Confirmation being celebrated this afternoon at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr. John encourages the congregation to pray for our confirmandi and ask the Holy Spirit to descend in power upon them for the purpose of bearing fruit in their lives.