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.
Philip brings Nathaniel (also known as Bartholomew) to Christ, changing his life forever. It reminds us that sometimes we have the opportunity to lead others to the Lord, and sometimes we need to open our hearts to what Jesus has to say.
August 24, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary's "fiat" to the angel Gabriel cooperates with God's plan of salvation. Mary serves as our example, Mother, intercessor and guide. She's also the Queen of Heaven, and through her witness we are inspired to draw near to her Son.
Mary's assumption into Heaven reveals her crucial role in the Church. As the Mother of God her "fiat" to the Angel Gabriel proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and her fidelity to God's will as she stood at the Cross offers us a profound example as we strive to live our faith in the midst of difficulty.
August 15, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus addresses a teachable moment when he explains that glory in Heaven comes from offering one's life in charity and service. James and John will drink from the cup of of Christ, reminding us that every time we offer our lives for others we follow the example of Christ.
July 25, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
These two great saints made an enormous impact in the Church, even as they encountered hard work and confronted their own weaknesses and sins. May we look to their example and trust in the Lord for the grace we need to face the challenges of life.
June 29, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As the herald of Jesus, John directs people to prepare for the coming of the messiah. His birth, words and actions all point others to the Lord...and inspire us to do the same as modern days disciples.
June 24, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The feast of the Sacred Heart of the Jesus celebrates the love of God for the whole world. Without limit or boundary, the Lord's love for us is unconditional and offers us the opportunity to both receive and share this love with one another.
June 23, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
This homily takes a practical look at answering three questions:
June 17, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary and Elizabeth - pregnant with Jesus and John the Baptist - meet and rejoice at the goodness of the Lord. Both women knew hardship, yet their faith inspires us to see God at work...in good times and in bad.
May 31, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary says "yes" to the Good News announced by the angel Gabriel...showing us how we can say yes to the Lord every day of our lives.
March 25, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The presider's chair in any Catholic Church is a place of authority, overseen by a bishop who is a successor to the apostles...of which St. Peter is the rock upon which Jesus builds His Church. May we draw strength from the Lord, our Great Shepherd, and offer our lives to care for those entrusted to us.
February 22, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As Mary and Joseph presented their infant son in the Temple, they encounter Simeon and Anna who give praise to God for the fulfillment of the Lord's promises - the Messiah has come bringing light into the world! As his disciples may we continue to share this light as we present ourselves for service to God and one another.
February 2, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
St. Paul's conversion shows how God calls us to make changes in our lives as we draw close to Jesus Christ and proclaim the Good News. The Lord reaches out to us in our weakness, inspiring us to turn away from our sins and become living witnesses to the world.
January 25, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Magi were guided through the illumination of knowledge and faith to the Christ Child. We, too, can be guided through the challenges of life when we we use our minds to the best of our ability and get down on our knees to pray for wisdom.
January 8, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Our knowledge of Mary flows from our knowledge of her Son, and her example teaches us how to be living witnesses in the face of adversity as we continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.
Happy New Year!
January 1, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com