The feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael reminds us that God sends us help and encouragement. May the power of the angels strengthen us on earth until the day when we join them in heaven.
September 29, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The crucifixion of Jesus reveals the depth of God's love as Christ endured suffering and anguish which connects with all aspects of human cruelty, evil and sin. Furthermore, in the light of the Cross we can face the crosses of our own lives with hope: for just as Jesus was victorious over his Cross, the Lord will help us carry our own.
September 14, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
John's death vividly reveals the potential price tag for our faith. Yet we can find new strength to face the injustices of life through our conviction that we are made for more...in this life and in the life to come.
August 29, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord reminds us today that if we want to be great in Heaven then we have to serve one another here on earth.
July 25, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
These two heavy hitter saints were far from perfect, and yet God worked in and through them to accomplish marvelous deeds. Their example serves as our inspiration: God patiently works with us! As we look to Sts. Peter & Paul may we embrace the gifts of life and faith as we follow Jesus Christ.
June 29, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
John the Baptist offers a strong and potent example of Christian witness for us today. John's life served as a preparation for the messiah; he recognized the Lord from the very beginning and he embraced God's call with fierce commitment. Now it's our turn!
June 23, 2018 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
This feast day fosters both personal piety and a communal connection within the Church to Jesus Christ, our savior, redeemer, brother and friend. The Lord offers his heart for the salvation of the world as he gives his life on the Cross. May the love in his heart fill up what is lacking in ours!
June 8, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Every Mass offers us the miracle of an encounter with Jesus Christ. As we draw near to the altar to receive the Lord in Holy Communion, may we strive to understand WHAT we are doing and WHY we are doing it!
June 2, 2018 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The mystery of the Trinity - one God and three Persons - reveals the crucial role of communion in our spiritual lives. We can measure our discipleship in a powerful way by the depth of our communion with God and one another, and we can actively explore the opportunities that we receive and extend communion with the people in our lives.
May 27, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com
The Holy Spirit transforms the Lord's disciples, empowering them in the face of adversity and uniting them in love. The same Spirit continues to work in our lives today, inviting us to call out for the help and guidance we need as we journey through this life.
May 19, 2018 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Philip's desire to "see the Father" reminds us that even though the apostles walked with the Son, they longed to see the face of God the Father. Seeing isn't believing; it's only seeing. May our relationship with Christ grow stronger each day as we seek to follow the Lord as we journey through life.
May 3, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The memorial of St. Joseph the Worker offers an opportunity to see how our work - great or small - can bring glory to God. What's your work today? Look for the Lord in your labors and make your work an offering worthy of God.
May 1, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Today we pray with the Church around the world as we recall the sign of God's love through the death of Jesus on the Cross. May the Lord's suffering and sacrifice open our hearts with gratitude as we reflect on what Christ has done for our eternal salvation.
March 30, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Holy Thursday gives us the opportunity to reflect upon two powerful themes: Sacrament & Service. As we receive the Lord's Body and Blood may we be strengthened by Christ to serve one another.
March 29, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the Temple according the law of Moses where Simeon and Anna rejoice to see the savior of the world. Today's feast invites us to look for the Lord in our lives and respond with a vibrant faith.
February 2, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
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
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
Ezekiel and the Psalmist show how the temple is a source of living water that brings forth life; Jesus speaks of his own body as a temple, and as his followers we discover that we are built upon Christ as the great foundation. May we work together to continue to proclaim the building up of God's kingdom here on earth as we serve the Church which Christ founded.
November 9, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Today we pray for all who have died, sometimes still grieving their loss, and sometimes smiling as their memory warms our hearts. What's more, our prayers are part of the communion we share in Jesus Christ, and we offer them for those who have gone before us...that they might meet us one day in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
November 2, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
When athletes compete in a stadium, the cheering crowd inspires and encourages them to do their best. In a similar way the saints inspire us with their example - they cheer us on from Heaven - and at the same time remind us that we can join them as we embrace the challenges of this life with our eyes fixed on Jesus...our coach, trainer, medic, and greatest fan.
November 1, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Matthew accepts the call of Jesus and goes out bringing others to the Lord. May his example inspire us to do the same!
September 21, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Following immediately after yesterday's Feast of the Holy Cross, the readings today focus on Mary as she endured the "sword of sorrow" as she stood at the Cross of her son. Her sorrow reaches out through time and space to all people who have been overwhelmed by grief. May her example help us to face our moments of pain with a sure and steadfast faith in Jesus Christ.
September 15, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Cross teaches us many lessons:
* Life is difficult, and at times painful
* Weakness and sin are part of our experience
* God identifies with our pain
* God dies that we might have life
At the core of our teaching the Cross stands as the testament of God's love for us. On one hand the Cross is an embarrassment - after all, why would God (all powerful, all knowing, supreme) choose to be humiliated? Does that not mean that God is weak? Why could God not take away our sins in a way that showed majesty and splendor?
Yet on the other hand, the Cross is a statement that God meets us where we are in life. In our weakness, in our humiliation, in our low moments of doubt and sin God comes to us. Jesus, like us in every way but sin, understands our pain because through his Cross he shares in the suffering of the world. He knows us, and loves us even more.
September 14, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Church celebrates the birth of Mary out of gratitude for her cooperation with God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. As we remember the Mother of God today, may we continue to open our hearts - cooperating with God's plan for our lives as the Lord's disciples.
September 8, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
John the Baptist precedes Jesus in his birth, preaching and death. John's witness to the Lord and the giving of his life inspire us to consider how we offer our lives each day to Christ...until the day when the Lord takes us by the hand at the hour of our own death.