In the Gospel of Matthew the Lord reminds us that our faith requires both speech and action - where our words and deeds consistently reveal to others our trust in Jesus Christ.
December 1, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Isaiah proclaims hope - that from a dead stump there will appear new life and the order of the world will change. Jesus invites us to look closely at what God is doing, as our hope in the Lord gives strength and meaning to how we live today.
November 29, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
All of the Scripture readings evoke a call to action; we are invited to get ready, be prepared, and attentive to the Lord and one another. May this Advent season - a gift of the Church - help us all to get our hearts and minds ready for the birth of Jesus Christ!
November 27, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Like Malachi and John the Baptist, we are messengers. What message are we sending? What messages do we seek? May others see Christ in the words we proclaim and the actions we offer.
December 23, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all podcasts.
Mary's Magnificat proclaims God's goodness. Her praise of God's goodness is understood against the backdrop of the challenges and sorrows she will face - and we can look at her example to hold on to the Lord's blessings as we face the struggles of our lives.
December 22, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or threegreatthings.libsyn.com for the archive of all of Fr. Andrew's presentations.
Joy is one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit that flows from the heart of Heaven. It bubbles up from the Good News that we welcome with eagerness and share with conviction. Two thoughts as we prepare for Christmas:
May the Joy of Jesus fill our hearts, transform our lives, and spread to those God sets before us today!
December 19, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
God sends the angel Gabriel to speak to Joseph in his dreams - the unguarded place in our mind where our personal walls and fences drop as we sort out problems. Perhaps like Joseph, we might look for the Lord to speak in our dreams..as we seek new ways to live our faith.
December 18, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Our extended families often have a mix of struggles, blessings, and circumstances. Jesus is no different, and the Gospel today reminds us that just as God worked through Lord's extended family he will work through ours.
December 17, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
This time of year we often think of making a "wish list" for Christmas, but this Holy Season provides a wonderful opportunity to make a "blessing list" to remind us of the many ways that God has done good things for us!
December 16, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
A father asks his sons to do a task:
Which one did the Father's will? The one who acted. May we turn our "no" to God into a "yes" that is seen in our actions.
December 15, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
"What should we do?" is an excellent question to keep before us in our daily prayer. We often know what needs to be done; sometimes it's just hard to carry out. But there are also times when we come before the Lord searching for the direction, wisdom, and strength to live our faith with conviction and power.
December 12, 2015 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
God offers to help us in the first reading today. Will we accept it? Will it open the doors of our heart and allow God's grace inside? Help Wanted!
December 10, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Making a highway requires removing obstacles and adding quality materials...same is true for the highway in our hearts!
December 6, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Two blind men encounter Jesus...and gain their sight. May we turn to the Lord for greater sight - that what we see will inspire us to respond with the light of faith.
December 4, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
When we listen to the Lord and put his teaching into practice, we are like the wise who build their houses on rock. May the knowledge we possess be transformed into action so that we can face the storms of life with the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ!
December 3, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Did you ever try to make an excuse for not handing in homework? This top ten list helps us understand that we sometimes do the same thing with our spiritual life - and maybe inspires us this Advent to complete our "heavenly homework."
December 2, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
The first reading from the prophet Isaiah proclaims a vision of the world - filled with hope - that happens after "a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse." May this Good News help us to make course corrections in our life today, so that we will be ready for the Lord's return.
December 1, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
A beginning is always a crucial time - how we start often defines the outcome of a project or task, as well as our attitude as we work. We are reminded today to be vigilant: constantly prepared; swift to act; and disciplined in our effort. May the start of our Advent season prepare us for a glorious Christmas!
November 29, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration in iTunes.
At the end of A Christmas Carol Scrooge chooses to make a change in his life that will affect everything. In the Gospel, Mary chooses to embrace the message of the angel Gabriel.
Our choices carry powerful consequences for ourselves and those around us. Sometimes they are major events in life, but often they occur throughout a day as we freely decide to either step up (seeking what is good) or step down (giving in to temptation and sin).
This Christmas, may the choices we make be guided by the love and grace of Jesus Christ!
December 21, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
We take out the trash regularly from the kitchen, or else we live with the stink and stench of smelly garbage. In the same way Advent gives us a ready made opportunity to search our hearts and through the sacrament of reconciliation to remove the stink of sin so that God's grace might give us healing and peace
December 13, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
A Christmas Carol has several characters that stand out:
Fan (Scrooge's sister) - full of love for her older brother
Fred (Scrooge's nephew) - full of Christmas cheer
Fezziwig (Scrooge's old boss) - knows how to celebrate Christmas
Bob Cratchit (Scrooge's clerk) - loves his family deeply
Tiny Tim (Bob's weakly son) - strives to live thoughtfully with goodness/kindness
Note: They are all filled with hope, even as they face the difficulties of life: Fan will die young; Fred grew up without a mom; Fezziwig knew the challenges of running a business; Bob knew about poverty and making tough sacrifices; and Tiny Tim knew firsthand the hard realities of illness.
It invites us to ponder - how do we prepare our hearts with Advent hope? Are we receiving hope, and are we passing it on to one another?
December 7, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
This talk was part of an Advent retreat offered at Cathedral of Christ the King. Six categories are offered to help us see more clearly the face of Christ:
December 6, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
Just as Jacob Marley provided a wake up call to Ebenezer Scrooge, we have been given an opportunity to be alert to the coming of the Lord. Advent is our opportunity to prepare our hearts - pausing to reflect and consider the state of our souls - so that when the Lord Jesus comes he will find us ready.
November 30, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com