The martyrdom of St. Stephen is a sober reminder that in light of the joy of the Lord's birth we also confront the daily reality of death in our world. May St. Stephen inspire us to never take for granted an opportunity to live each day with faith, hope and love.
December 26, 2020 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
I keep all of you who listen to these podcasts in my daily prayers! May the coming year be filled with blessings as we grow closer to the Lord and one another.
December 25, 2020 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
COVID-19 has disrupted many lives this year, uncovering our human vulnerabilities and weaknesses. May the birth of the messiah remind us that through the Incarnation of Jesus Christ God becomes like us in all things but sin, meeting us in the midst of our struggles and giving us the strength, wisdom and courage to carry on.
December 24, 2020 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The baptism of Jesus recalls the gift of our own baptism and how our lives are now configured to Christ. May we live this great gift as we put our faith into practice.
January 12, 2020 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The words of John Baptist remind us of a crucial spiritual point, "He must increase, I must decrease." May we seek to let Christ increase his rule in our hearts each and every day.
January 11, 2020 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As Jesus heals the leper in the Gospel of Luke, we witness the profound compassion of the Lord, who longs for our TOTAL healing - body, mind, heart and soul. May we draw near to Christ for this healing and in turn seek to be agents of healing whenever possible.
January 10, 2020 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrw Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The First Letter of John cuts through any warm and fuzzy notions of love with a decisive evaluation: we reveal our love for God through our love for one another. May this practical test guide and direct our actions, powered by the love of Christ.
January 9, 2020 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The First Letter of St. John offers a beautiful and moving reflection on how God's love moves in and through us into the world. May the Lord's love flow through us today!
January 8, 2020 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The multiplication of the fishes and loaves in the Gospel of Mark uses the same language that we use to describe what happens at Mass when the priest takes the bread and wine. May we be nourished every time we go to pray, so that we can nourish others with the gift of our lives.
January 7, 2020 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The intensity of the quest of the Magi and the treasures they offered the Christ child can teach us about the conviction and quality we bring to the Lord each and every day.
January 4, 2020 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The invitation of Jesus to "come and you will see" to two people will become for them a life changing experience as they spend time with the Lord. The same is true for us; may we actively create opportunities to drawn near to Christ, so that we might be filled with His grace.
January 4, 2020 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The First Letter of St. John offers a message of consolation and challenge. As children of God we are part of the Lord's family, united in his love; yet this membership means that we take seriously the destructive role of sin as we strive to live in a manner that is worthy of Heaven.
January 3, 2020 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
John the Baptist offers an example of discipleship in the Gospel today. As the crowds flock to his preaching and baptism of repentance, John consistently redirects their attention toward Jesus. May we do the same in our lives today.
January 2, 2020 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
There is a grim aspect to the Gospel reading today. Innocent baby boys, slaughtered to satisfy Herod's need to protect his ego, recall for us the reality that cruelty, hatred, evil and sin are part of our human condition. May this terrifying event inspire us to respect all life as a precious and sacred gift from God.
December 28, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
On this feast of St. John - the Apostle and Evangelist - we look to John's example and consider how we are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in our lives today.
December 27, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Stephen is the first person to give his life as a witness to his faith in Jesus Christ. He spoke with a wisdom and spirit that none could refute, and he offers us an example about how we show our love for the Lord every day.
December 26, 2019 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
God loves us. Plain and simple. Warts and all. God loves us and meets us where we are, not in polished perfection and immaculate attire, but in a humble manger as a displaced person. God loves us so much that he sent his Son to die and rise that we might have eternal life.
May we all drop to our knees at some point today and say thank you...
Merry Christmas, my friends!
December 25, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Have you ever tried to get a gift for "the person who has everything" and been frustrated in the process? Everything we have comes from God...everything! The Lord needs nothing from us, but asks for only one thing: a loving heart that reaches out to others.
December 24, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The words of John the Baptist serve as a reminder for all of us to let Jesus Christ take greater and greater control of our hearts.
January 12, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord reveals his compassion for the leper who begs to be healed in the Gospel today. May we trust in Christ's merciful will for us in our need as we draw near to the one who longs for us to be made whole.
January 11, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As Jesus proclaims the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah in his hometown of Nazareth, we are reminded that through Christ we have the same Spirit in our hearts. Our task: to live it!
January 10, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord's words to the disciples speak to us as well: "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" As we face the challenges of life may we look to Jesus for the grace we need to carry on.
January 9, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord takes pity on the crowd and he nourishes them through teaching, compassion and food. Following his example, we are called to do the same as we help our brothers and sisters by building them up...body and soul.
January 8, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
While we all know the Magi who greet the Christ child with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, we can sometimes take for granted that the light they saw led them to action. While knowledge is power, it is useless until it is applied; may the wise men inspire us to put the gift of our lives in service for the Lord.
January 5, 2019 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Philip's invitation to Nathaniel in the Gospel today to "come and see" serves as a powerful reminder for the Church today. Not only are we directed to invite others to join us in faith, but we are also charged to live the faith with vibrant conviction.
January 5, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com