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Catholic Inspiration

Fr. Andrew Ricci offers inspirational homilies and talks to help people grow in faith. These reflections are part of his meditations at Three Great Things where we grow as disciples of the Lord through Study, Prayer, and Service.
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Now displaying: 2015
Apr 3, 2015

At the Last Supper Jesus teaches and commands his disciples:

  • Receive his Body & Blood
  • Give your life in service to others

In our reception of Holy Communion may we be strengthened and renewed to offer our lives, following the example of Christ.

April 2, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts, go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Mar 29, 2015

Christ comes to Jerusalem - knowing that he will suffer and die - that through his Cross and Resurrection we might be saved from sin and death.  Like a firefighter, he approaches the fire to rescue us.  He invites us to take his hand, that he might lead us into a freedom of faith and eternal life.

Our invitation is to let go of the sins and hurts that have bound us; to unclench our hands from past injuries and allow his saving grace to set us free.

March 29, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Mar 26, 2015

This is the 4th of four presentations given at a Parish Mission on March 9-12, 2015 for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona.

The power of the Resurrection and subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit transforms the disciples - they have encountered the Risen Lord and no longer fear sin and death.  Rather, they engage the world with Good News and share the gift of their lives with power and joy.  This transformation must always be understood through the double lens of the Cross/Resurrection; only with a clear understanding of the sacrifice of Christ can we begin to truly appreciate the gift of Eternal Life.  Two key concepts surface:

  • Strength
  • Sunrise...of Hope!

Our STRENGTH comes from the Lord.  Through our daily encounter with Christ through prayer and sacrament we our empowered to choose our attitude and seek opportunities to live our faith in the unique and precious moments of each day.

Furthermore, the Good News of Christ leads to a SUNRISE of HOPE.  We recognize that our personal witness is most authentic when our lives exude the hope and joy that come from Christ's resurrection.  Guided by the Fruits of the Spirit, we can honestly look within our hearts and cast out anything that keeps us from God and one another.

March 12, 2015 - Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church - Green Valley, AZ

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Mar 25, 2015

This is the 3rd of four presentations given at a Parish Mission on March 9-12, 2015 for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona.

Carrying his Cross for the salvation of the world, the Lord reveals two key insights for Christians:

  • Sacrifice
  • Support

SACRIFICE - giving up something for the sake of something more important - becomes self evident as the Lord offers his life as a perfect offering.  Innocent and without sin, he takes our place and helps us to recognize our own sacrifices as a participation in his Cross.

SUPPORT appears when we look at two familiar figures in the Stations of the Cross - Simon of Cyrene and Veronica.  We read about Simon in the Scriptures, and Veronica has been a part of the tradition of this devotional prayer for centuries; both of them show that even the smallest of actions proclaims the value of human life in our relationships with one another.  Running toward suffering and sacrifice, we can (like a Firefighter) be agents in great and small ways for compassion, mercy, and tenderness.

March 11, 2015 - Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church - Green Valley, AZ

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Mar 24, 2015

This is the 2nd of four presentations given at a Parish Mission on March 9-12, 2015 for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona.

At the Last Supper on the night before he died, the Lord Jesus imparted two key commands that he gave to his disciples:

  • Service
  • Sacrament

In SERVICE the Lord taught with through his example of washing the disciples' feet.  Found in John 13:1-15, Christ shows his disciples in a clear and direct way that following Jesus demands a call to serve one another.  Service is the path that invites us to give our lives, sharing the unique skills, resources, experiences, and talents we have for the good of others.

In SACRAMENT the Lord defined the bread and wine as his body and blood.  In addition to the Institution of the Eucharist found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke - St. Paul writes of this in 1st Corinthians 11:23-26.  Jesus teaches his disciples about his Body & Blood, and then commands his follower.

March 10, 2015 - Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church - Green Valley, AZ

Fr. Andrew Ricci 

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

 

Mar 23, 2015

This is the 1st of four presentations given at a Parish Mission on March 9-12, 2015 for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona.

This presentation sets the stage of Holy Week by discussing several key points:

  • Passover - the feast celebrating the deliverance of the people of Israel from their bondage in Egypt
  • Sabbath - the "7th Day" of the week (Saturday) which is dedicated to the Lord, beginning on sundown on Friday and running through sundown on Saturday
  • Temple - the great structure, a holy place sacred to the Jews but also a lightning rod for political unrest against foreign rule
  • Roman Empire - controlling the unstable region for its strategic position in commerce and military rule, constantly on the watch for rebellion and instability
  • Jesus of Nazareth - the great teacher, healer, and prophet - the Son of God who initiates the encounter, knows what will happen, and embraces his mission (like a firefighter who runs toward the danger, not away)

March 9, 2015 - Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church - Green Valley, AZ

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

 

Mar 22, 2015

Live is precious and sacred - a gift from God that can invite us to consider two points:

  • How am I using the unique talents and gifts I have been given?
  • How am I cultivating a healthy life - taking care of what God has given me?

Jesus Christ values our lives; he paid for them with his blood on the Cross.  May we cherish and live this precious gift with faith, hope, and love!

March 22, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Mar 19, 2015

The Cathedral hosted the Youth Rally on March 18, 2015.  This homily was given to the 400+  youth who came together for adoration, a keynote talk from Joel Stepanek, and Mass.

Keep praying for our youth that the Lord will touch and bless their lives with grace, wisdom, and strength!

March 18, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Mar 17, 2015

This is the 3rd of four presentations given at a Parish Mission on March 9-12, 2015 for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona.

Carrying his Cross for the salvation of the world, the Lord reveals two key insights for Christians:

  • Sacrifice
  • Support

SACRIFICE - giving up something for the sake of something more important - becomes self evident as the Lord offers his life as a perfect offering.  Innocent and without sin, he takes our place and helps us to recognize our own sacrifices as a participation in his Cross.

SUPPORT appears when we look at two familiar figures in the Stations of the Cross - Simon of Cyrene and Veronica.  We read about Simon in the Scriptures, and Veronica has been a part of the tradition of this devotional prayer for centuries; both of them show that even the smallest of actions proclaims the value of human life in our relationships with one another.  Running toward suffering and sacrifice, we can (like a Firefighter) be agents in great and small ways for compassion, mercy, and tenderness.

March 11, 2015 - Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church - Green Valley, AZ

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Mar 3, 2015

Jesus uses an image of a grain of wheat: how it falls to the ground, dies, and then rises into new life.  This pattern of death to new life will be traced in Holy Week as the Lord offers his life on the Cross and changes the world through his Resurrection.

This pattern of death to new life applies to us as well.  One day we will also make the journey from death to eternal life.  Furthermore, at this moment we can use this pattern to die to sin and rise with God's grace.

March 3, 2015 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Mar 3, 2015

We use the words "I love you" all the time - even when life is difficult.  Love is an affirmation that we cherish others...particularly when challenges and struggles occur.  The same is true for the Lord: 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son..."

These words are spoken to us in hope - that even when we make big mistakes God reaches out to us in love.  God remains faithful, welcoming, and present to us.  May we accept the love of God into our hearts and share that love with those placed before us.

March 3, 2015 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Mar 3, 2015

Often as spring starts to roll around many of us look around at the parts of the house that you could use a little cleaning.  Maybe it's something we haven't used for a long time, or perhaps there are items that simply need to be recycled, repurposed, or regifted to another.  Whatever it is, the process is the same: we evaluate what we have and determine what should stay, and what needs to go.

The same process is true for our spiritual lives.  The 10 Commandments were given to the people of Israel to help them know how to live - to determine what needed to stay or go from their hearts.

In the Gospel, Jesus cleanses the Temple and teaches that his own body - a temple - will be destroyed and raised up.  This cleansing and the lesson of death/life is true for us as well.  Christ comes to cleanse our hearts, and through his death and resurrection he will not only purify our lives, but he will create a temple where he will dwell among us.

March 3, 2015 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Mar 1, 2015

The sacrifice of Isaac sounds truly terrible - that someone would offer their only beloved son.  It assaults our sense of goodness, human dignity, and respect...and this is an accurate assessment.

And yet this is exactly what God did for us.  The Father offers his beloved son as a sacrifice.  A working definition for "sacrifice" may be:

"to give up something because we believe in something greater"

Simply put, the depth of our sacrifices reveals the extent of our values, convictions, and love.  It is the love, revealed in the transfigured glory of Christ, which inspires us to offer our lives as a sacrifice for others.

March 1, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Mar 1, 2015

This is the 3rd of 3 presentations given at a Parish Mission on February 22-24, 2015 at Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI.  The third presentation discusses how we navigate change and challenge in the course of our lives.  How do we face trials and struggles?  How do we live - reacting to events, engaging them, or passively drifting along?  Four words are used to guide this presentation:

  • Attitude
  • Habit
  • Team
  • God

When we bring these different aspects together, we find that we live the gift of our lives with joy - not that life will be easy - but that we are attuned to bring our best effort to the Lord, who in turn will touch our lives with the grace we need.

February 24, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

 

Feb 24, 2015

This is the 2nd of 3 presentations given at a Parish Mission on February 22-24, 2015 at Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI.  We look at three areas in life to determine our spiritual fitness:

  • Resources: the "stuff" in our lives
  • People: how we relate to others
  • Myself: Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul

Looking at these areas we ask three simple questions:

  1. What external measure can I use to evaluate my life?
  2. What patterns do I see?
  3. How does this help me be a better disciple of Christ? 

As we determine our fitness, we call upon the Lord to guide our efforts as we continue on our journey of faith.

February 23, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 23, 2015

This is the 1st of 3 presentations given at a Parish Mission on February 22-24, 2015 at Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI.  Using the "Fruits of the Spirit" that St. Paul writes about in Galatians 5:22-23, we can look for these signs in our journey of faith:  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.  We look for these "fruits" in four regions of our lives:

  • WHAT do I do with the "stuff" in my life?
  • WHO are the people in my life?
  • HOW do I behave?
  • WHY do I do what I do?

As we look for the signs of the Spirit in our lives, we can quickly and clearly observe God's hand at work in our hearts.

February 22, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

 

Feb 22, 2015

Christ's words in the Gospel of Mark are brief and to the point:

  • Repent
  • Believe in the Gospel

To do these two crucial points we look at three parts of our lives: thoughts, words, actions.  We evaluate these parts by three steps:

  1. We acknowledge the reality
  2. We make a change
  3. We put it into practice

This simple sentence has the potential to quickly and decisively evaluate our Lenten journey.  

February 21, 2015 - St. William Church - Foxboro, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 18, 2015

The messy, dirty, grimy ashes on the outside remind us of the messy, dirty, grimy reality of sin in our hearts.  As we repent and believe in the Gospel, may we call upon the Lord to wash us clean with the grace of Jesus Christ.

February 18, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 15, 2015

Lent provides a powerful opportunity to grow closer to the Lord and one another.  Yet if we are unprepared we will miss much that this holy season has to offer.

This homily offers practical tips and tools to direct our path.  Use this for a simple starting point to make this the best Lent ever!

Originally given on March 2, 2013 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 15, 2015

Suffering not only affects us individually, but relationally as well.  The four categories described last week may touch our relationships in some of these ways:

  • Body - illness separates us from touch and personal contact
  • Mind - misunderstanding and doubt can drive us apart
  • Heart - emotions can overwhelm our words & actions, dividing us
  • Soul - evil alters our sense of values, right & wrong, separating us from others

Like the leper in the Gospel of Mark today, we can reclaim the healing we need in our lives and the relationships around us.  Here are three things to consider:

  1. Acknowledge what is broken and wounded
  2. Actively seek to reconcile with one another
  3. Call up God for the help and strength we need for healing 

February, 15, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

 

Feb 10, 2015

 This is the 1st of 3 talks given at a Parish Mission on the Eucharist at St. Dominic Church in Frederic, WI on March 8, 2014.

This first talk draws on the Gospel story of Emmaus (Luke 24:1-35) and the writing of St. Justin Martyr.  It then outlines the teaching and command of Jesus to receive the Body of Christ so that we become the Body of Christ. 

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 10, 2015

This is the 2nd of 3 talks given at a Parish Mission on the Eucharist at St. Dominic Church in Frederic, WI on March 8, 2014.

This second talk offers a series of practical points on how to prepare and participate in the Mass so that its power can direct our lives.  

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 10, 2015

This is the 3rd of 3 talks given at a Parish Mission on the Eucharist at St. Dominic Church in Frederic, WI on March 8, 2014.

This third talk discusses how Eucharist and Adoration can nourish our spiritual lives and then goes on to connect with a reflection from Pope Francis (given on February 21, 2014) that shows three distinct ways that the Eucharist inspires a Catholic Way of Life.

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 8, 2015

Suffering is a part of human life.  It is often found in one of four quadrants of human experience:

  • Body - our physical health
  • Mind - our intellectual health
  • Heart - our emotional health
  • Soul - our spiritual health

When we encounter suffering we can first do our part:

  1. We acknowledge the pain and hurt 
  2. We gather resources to help us
  3. We act: putting our healing into practice

But sometimes we discover that the suffering is bigger than ourselves.  We cannot handle it alone, so we then turn to the Lord who through his death on the Cross understands our pain and triumphs over it.

February 8, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 5, 2015

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, which also goes by the names of Confession or Penance, is a powerful treasure.  Yet there are many misconceptions, many fears, and many questions that surround this great gift to the Church.  Sometimes I think that folks would rather have a dental root canal than walk into a confessional...

If it has been some time since you have gone to Confession, do not fear!  This incredible Sacrament continues to transform hearts and change lives; the following presentation dispels some of the myths and answers many of the common questions that are frequently asked.

This sacrament has four components:

  • Contrition - sometimes called repentance, shows we are sorry
  • Confession - where we admit what we have done
  • Reparation - where we undertake a penance as an outward sign we want to make things right
  • Absolution - where the priest, speaking on God's behalf, extends God's grace and forgiveness

This sacrament will touch our hearts and change our lives!  Confession is not only an experience of forgiveness, but it is a direct encounter with God's grace - a profound and intense path that leads to the love of Jesus Christ.

This 45 minute presentation was given to the RCIA class on March 16, 2014.  These remarks address a wide range of practical issues that are frequently asked and are meant to help us all understand how to embrace the great sacrament of Confession, especially if we are a little hazy about the last time we stepped into a confessional.

March 16, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

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