The Prologue of the Gospel of John proclaims Jesus Christ - God's Word - who became flesh that we might see and know him. As we draw near to our Savior, we rejoice over God's love and offer our lives as living witnesses of the Lord.
December 31, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph helps us see how God works through each of our families. We face our struggles, make sacrifices, support each other, and receive blessings with gratitude...and through it all we grow in grace.
December 30, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As Simeon held the Christ Child in his arms praising God, he recalls the fulfillment of the Lord's promises and points to the redemption of humanity. May we look back and see how God has touched our lives and embrace each day as a new opportunity to the serve the Lord with full hearts!
December 29, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Surrounded by the glory of Christmas, we have a chilling reminder of the reason why the Lord came into our world. Fueled by rage, jealousy, and hate, King Herod attempts to kill the Christ Child by having every baby boy under two killed in the region around Bethlehem. The senseless violence strikes a chord in our hearts to protect life, inspiring us to proclaim the Prince of Peace in our world today.
December 28, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
John's testimony about Jesus as the Word of God provides us with an opportunity to reflect in this Octave of Christmas:
December 27, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Christmas story touches our hearts and gets past our defenses. Why? Because babies evoke a loving response! God's love story with humanity helps us see how the Lord - in taking on our human form - helps us to draw near through the gentleness of an infant. May the Christ child take us by the hand and lead us this Christmas to embrace our faith and give glory to God through the gift of our lives.
December 24, 2016 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Zechariah's canticle of praise reveals both the work of John the Baptist and the glory of the Lord. God continues to work in our world; may this Christmas renew our faith as we do our part to share the Good News with one another.
December 24, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
John's birth and his naming foreshadow the glory of Jesus. God's great work of salvation leads us to rejoice as we witness how the Lord involves many (including us!) in the mission of Jesus Christ.
December 23, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary's proclaims God's greatness, and her example inspires us to place the Lord first in all that we say and do.
December 22, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The exchange between Elizabeth and Mary follows up the events we heard at Mass yesterday. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes Jesus as her own child (John the Baptist) leaps for joy in her womb. May this Christmas offer us the opportunity to draw near to the Lord and be filled with the same Spirit!
December 21, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The interchange between Gabriel and Mary offers us rich insights regarding how we embrace our faith.
December 20, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Christmas offers a rich opportunity for story telling amid the backdrop of the Great Story of the birth of Jesus. Fr. Andrew discusses some of the comments and insights he has received from his Facebook page, inviting us to consider how film can help us all enter into this holy season.
December 19, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We call upon the Lord as Emmanuel which means "God is with us" when we are alone, exhausted, searching and sinful. May we turn to the Lord in our need and rejoice in the saving power of God!
December 17, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The genealogy of Jesus outlined in Matthew's Gospel recalls the crucial role of family. Our families are crucial networks where we grow and face the challenges of life. While no one has a perfect family (certainly not Jesus!) we all can find within our own families opportunities to foster faith, hope and love.
December 17, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord points out that the works he performs testify on his behalf. Following his example and the words of Isaiah the prophet, we have the opportunity every day to lead others to Christ as we observe what is right and do what is just by offering Christian witness in our daily actions.
December 16, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus offers us a glimpse of the power and beauty of the Kingdom of God, inspiring us to live the Lord's love today as we set our eyes on the world to come.
December 15, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus tells the disciples of John the Baptist to report what they see and hear - wonders that show that Jesus is Lord. May we carry the same message into our lives today!
December 14, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Actions speak louder than...yeah, you know the rest. Now all we have to do: act in a manner worthy of Christ.
December 13, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Fr. Andrew discusses some of the Advent ideas that people shared with him on his Facebook page in the areas of Prayer, Scripture, Spiritual Reading, Liturgy, and Family Life.
December 12, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Christ's words to the disciples of John the Baptist proclaim Good News. The Lord's work - filled with power and might - brings hope to all who receive God's gift of grace.
December 10, 2016 - St. Anthony Catholic Church - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Like Elijah, John the Baptist came to help the people return to the Lord. May this Advent season help us to draw close to Christ and be filled with the Lord's love.
December 10, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Have you ever found yourself in a grumpy mood, where it's easy to complain regardless of the situation? A good antidote: focus on Jesus Christ, the light of life.
December 9, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary's "yes" to God offers us an example, for as she participated in God's plan of salvation so we, too, have a daily opportunity to let the Lord's work be done through our words and actions.
December 8, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As a child rests in a parent's embrace, so we are invited to draw near to Christ and rest in his love. Are you weary? Tired? Stressed? Come to Jesus and be renewed by his peace.
December 7, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Like a shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, so the Lord seeks and saves us when we have lost our way. May we learn from Jesus, the gentle Shepherd, and reach out to one another with the same compassion.
December 6, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com