Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

Each year Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel with a Streamer Day Mass to recognize the eighth grade students who will soon complete their final studies at the elementary school. Fr. Riccardo's homily from this year's Mass is presented here.

Fr. Riccardo reflects on his recent visit to preach at Kensington Church in Troy while discussing our expectations for Mass. Fr. John suggests to the congregation that they bring their bibles to Mass, along with a journal and a pen. Fr. John encourages them to read His word, and to expect to hear God's voice.

On the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Fr. Riccardo addressed a congregation that included a group of recent high school and college graduates from the parish. Fr. John offers his advice to the graduates in this homily from the 10 AM Mass. The readings for this day are Acts 1:1-11, Eph 1:17-23, and Mt 28:16-20.

While reflecting on the readings for this day (Acts 8:5-8 and 14-17, 1 Pt 3:15-18, Jn 14:15-21), Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation whether they know and love God. Father John discusses Psalm 23 and its implications for our lives. He reminds us that the Holy Spirit can make known the Father, and will answer our cries in times on need.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the role of parents as the primary educators of their children in the ways of faith in this homily for Mother's Day. Fr. John recounts his own mother's journey to the realization of the truth of the resurrection while encouraging parents to model the faith for their children. The readings for this day are: Acts 2:14, 22-23; 1 Pt 1:17-21; and Lk 24:13-35.

In this homily for the Feast of Divine Mercy, Fr. Riccardo discusses the origin of the feast day and reminds the congregation that God is rich in mercy and loves to forgive. Fr. John cites Blessed John Paul II and Mary as icons of forgiveness, and exorts the congregation to show mercy and forgiveness to others.

In this homiy from the Easter Vigil Mass, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that God has acted on our behalf. Fr. John remarks that God has become man to fight for us against Satan, sin, and death and has destroyed these three tyrannical regimes through Christ's death on the cross and resurrection.

Fr. Riccardo offers suggestions for Holy Week in this Palm Sunday homily.

While reflecting on St. John's gospel account (Jn 11:1-45) of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that nothing is impossible for Jesus.

While addressing a congregation that includes candidates in the RCIA program, Fr. Riccardo discusses the sacrament of baptism. Fr. John reminds the audience that baptism opens our eyes and gives us, through faith, a way of knowing the truth about Jesus. The readings for this day are 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Eph 5:8-14; and Jn 9:1-41.