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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: December, 2017
Dec 31, 2017

Family life is crazy and chaotic, sometimes blissful, sometimes frustrating, big and noisy, small and quiet, in a every shape, size and configuration imaginable.  Yet it is within the specific context of our families that we grow in faith and life lessons.  May we look to the Holy Family for inspiration as we seek the best in our families, dedicate earnest effort in supporting them, and pray every day for the Lord's guidance and strength.

December 31, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 30, 2017

After the praise of Anna in the Temple, Mary and Joseph return home to Nazareth where Jesus will grow in strength and wisdom.  It's a good reminder about the power of a family to foster faith, encourage goodness and build lasting bonds of love.  May we dedicate ourselves to building up our own families each and every day.

December 30, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 29, 2017

Simeon looks beyond the outward appearances of the baby of Mary and Joseph and sees the Son of God.  May we pray that the Holy Spirit will give us clear sight to recognize the Lord's presence in our daily actions, empowering us to respond with faith, hope and love.

December 29, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 28, 2017

Why do the innocent suffer?  Why is there senseless violence, hate, cruelty and pain?  God has granted human souls with the freedom to choose good or evil, and the consequences can be profound.  Yet it was for our sins that the Christ child was born, breaking the chains of evil and offering us a chance for grace and mercy.  May the death of these innocent children inspire us to hold fast to our faith as we follow the Lord.

December 28, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 27, 2017

As an apostle, St. John was filled with the Holy Spirit and sent by Jesus; as an evangelist, his writings have inspired generations of Christians with the Good News of the Gospel.  We can look to John for an example: living our faith in the world today as we  testify to the light of Jesus Christ.

December 27, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 26, 2017

With the joy of Christ's birth ringing in the air we celebrate today the death of St. Stephen, the first martyr.  Why?  To help us see the connection between the Christ's birth and saving death as we offer our lives for the Lord.  Thus, the Christmas spirit gives us hope to face the sacrifices of this life with the conviction that the Jesus Christ will guide and lead us to Heaven.

December 26, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 25, 2017

We rely heavily on our sense of sight to understand and navigate through this life.  Light also plays a crucial role in our spiritual lives, and we look to the birth of Jesus Christ - the Light of the World - as the source of our hope that through Christ we will find the grace we need to make our way to Heaven.  Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 24, 2017

The angel Gabriel tells Mary to "be not afraid" as she hears the news of her role in salvation history.  In our moments of doubt and fear may we follow Mary's example and turn to the Lord with renewed faith, asking for the grace and strength we need to face our challenges with God's guidance.

December 23, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 23, 2017

Luke's Gospel recounts the naming of John the Baptist, and once again we see how his life served to highlight the coming of Christ.  As we prepare to bring this Advent season to a close, may we discern the opportunities we have to direct others to Jesus.

Saturday, December 23, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 22, 2017

Mary's Magnificat is a song of praise about God's goodness and mercy.  As we prepare for Christmas, may this proclamation inspire us to count our blessings and opportunities as we put our faith into practice.

December 22, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 21, 2017

Mary, Elizabeth and John the Baptist all show the speed of a vibrant response to the coming of the Messiah.  Their example inspires us to consider how our faith guides and directs our actions with the people before us each and every day.

December 21, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 20, 2017

The Gospel of Luke recounts today the exchange between Gabriel and Mary.  We know the details, and as we hear the specific names and particular locations we recall that God continues to touch our lives through this great account of salvation through our lives today.

December 20, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 19, 2017

In the Gospel today we learn about the priestly lineage of John the Baptist.  John's ministry - calling people to repentance and showing them the "Lamb of God" - fulfills the priestly role and sets the stage for the coming of the Messiah.

Dec 17, 2017

The readings are filled with examples of God's power, offering us hope, life and joy as we embrace the Lord's grace in our lives.  Where do we see Good News in our lives?  How can we bring Good News to others?  May these final days of Advent inspire us to live our faith!

Dec 16, 2017

The Lord explains how Elijah returned in the person of John the Baptist, and then Jesus goes on to say how he will suffer just like John.  As we draw near to the Feast of Christmas, we remember how God so loved the world he gave His only Son...to teach us how to offer our lives for one another.

December 16, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 15, 2017

We can be pretty good at finding excuses not to do something, yet the Lord - who never gives up on us - continues to invite us to follow him that we might have eternal life.

December 15, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 14, 2017

When you cook, you need a certain amount of time to get prepared: clear the work space; make an ingredients list; set out your utensils and cookware.  In a similar way we need time and attention to prepare to encounter Jesus Christ in our spiritual lives.  May the example of John the Baptist inspire us to make the necessary preparations we need, and empower us to help others encounter the Lord as well.

December 14, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 13, 2017

We all experience moments of feeling burdened, exhausted and worn out.  What's the answer?  Jesus Christ!  May we draw near to the one who knows us best and draw strength to face the tasks at hand.

December 13, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 12, 2017

The Blessed Virgin Mary offers an example of faith that transformed the people of Mexico and continues to inspire millions to follow her son, Jesus Christ.  May we look to Mary for guidance and wisdom as we continue to proclaim the Good News of the Lord in our lives.

December 12, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 10, 2017

The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in John the Baptist to "prepare the way of the Lord" for the coming of Jesus.  Advent offers us the opportunity to make our own preparations as we repent, reconcile and look for the holy.  

December 9, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 9, 2017

 The Lord offers an example of ministry and then empowers the Apostles to do the same.  Our Church today is not only founded on their work, but continues through our efforts to proclaim the Gospel in our lives today.

December 9, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 8, 2017

Mary was chosen and prepared by God to become the Mother of Jesus, and she accepted this role with a beautiful faith.  We, too, have been chosen by the Lord and endowed with particular blessings to bring the Good News to the world.  Will we accept the Lord's call in our lives?  May Mary's example inspire us to say YES! 

December 8, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 7, 2017

The Lord reminds us that when our actions serve God we build our lives on solid rock that can withstand the storms of life.  Today we look at what we do and determine how we can offer our lives to Jesus Christ.

December 7, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 6, 2017

The readings describe the abundance and richness of God's feast which nourishes the body, mind, heart and soul.  Our daily need for food underscores our fundamental need for the Lord; may we today reflect on what we need and call upon Jesus with confidence.

December 6, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Dec 5, 2017

Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit, and Isaiah's prophecy reveals uplifting qualities about the Savior...qualities that offer us an example as we live our lives for the Lord.

December 5, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

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