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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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Catholic Inspiration
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Now displaying: February, 2015
Feb 24, 2015

This is the 2nd of 3 presentations given at a Parish Mission on February 22-24, 2015 at Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI.  We look at three areas in life to determine our spiritual fitness:

  • Resources: the "stuff" in our lives
  • People: how we relate to others
  • Myself: Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul

Looking at these areas we ask three simple questions:

  1. What external measure can I use to evaluate my life?
  2. What patterns do I see?
  3. How does this help me be a better disciple of Christ? 

As we determine our fitness, we call upon the Lord to guide our efforts as we continue on our journey of faith.

February 23, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 23, 2015

This is the 1st of 3 presentations given at a Parish Mission on February 22-24, 2015 at Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI.  Using the "Fruits of the Spirit" that St. Paul writes about in Galatians 5:22-23, we can look for these signs in our journey of faith:  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.  We look for these "fruits" in four regions of our lives:

  • WHAT do I do with the "stuff" in my life?
  • WHO are the people in my life?
  • HOW do I behave?
  • WHY do I do what I do?

As we look for the signs of the Spirit in our lives, we can quickly and clearly observe God's hand at work in our hearts.

February 22, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

 

Feb 22, 2015

Christ's words in the Gospel of Mark are brief and to the point:

  • Repent
  • Believe in the Gospel

To do these two crucial points we look at three parts of our lives: thoughts, words, actions.  We evaluate these parts by three steps:

  1. We acknowledge the reality
  2. We make a change
  3. We put it into practice

This simple sentence has the potential to quickly and decisively evaluate our Lenten journey.  

February 21, 2015 - St. William Church - Foxboro, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 18, 2015

The messy, dirty, grimy ashes on the outside remind us of the messy, dirty, grimy reality of sin in our hearts.  As we repent and believe in the Gospel, may we call upon the Lord to wash us clean with the grace of Jesus Christ.

February 18, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 15, 2015

Lent provides a powerful opportunity to grow closer to the Lord and one another.  Yet if we are unprepared we will miss much that this holy season has to offer.

This homily offers practical tips and tools to direct our path.  Use this for a simple starting point to make this the best Lent ever!

Originally given on March 2, 2013 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 15, 2015

Suffering not only affects us individually, but relationally as well.  The four categories described last week may touch our relationships in some of these ways:

  • Body - illness separates us from touch and personal contact
  • Mind - misunderstanding and doubt can drive us apart
  • Heart - emotions can overwhelm our words & actions, dividing us
  • Soul - evil alters our sense of values, right & wrong, separating us from others

Like the leper in the Gospel of Mark today, we can reclaim the healing we need in our lives and the relationships around us.  Here are three things to consider:

  1. Acknowledge what is broken and wounded
  2. Actively seek to reconcile with one another
  3. Call up God for the help and strength we need for healing 

February, 15, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

 

Feb 10, 2015

 This is the 1st of 3 talks given at a Parish Mission on the Eucharist at St. Dominic Church in Frederic, WI on March 8, 2014.

This first talk draws on the Gospel story of Emmaus (Luke 24:1-35) and the writing of St. Justin Martyr.  It then outlines the teaching and command of Jesus to receive the Body of Christ so that we become the Body of Christ. 

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 10, 2015

This is the 2nd of 3 talks given at a Parish Mission on the Eucharist at St. Dominic Church in Frederic, WI on March 8, 2014.

This second talk offers a series of practical points on how to prepare and participate in the Mass so that its power can direct our lives.  

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 10, 2015

This is the 3rd of 3 talks given at a Parish Mission on the Eucharist at St. Dominic Church in Frederic, WI on March 8, 2014.

This third talk discusses how Eucharist and Adoration can nourish our spiritual lives and then goes on to connect with a reflection from Pope Francis (given on February 21, 2014) that shows three distinct ways that the Eucharist inspires a Catholic Way of Life.

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 8, 2015

Suffering is a part of human life.  It is often found in one of four quadrants of human experience:

  • Body - our physical health
  • Mind - our intellectual health
  • Heart - our emotional health
  • Soul - our spiritual health

When we encounter suffering we can first do our part:

  1. We acknowledge the pain and hurt 
  2. We gather resources to help us
  3. We act: putting our healing into practice

But sometimes we discover that the suffering is bigger than ourselves.  We cannot handle it alone, so we then turn to the Lord who through his death on the Cross understands our pain and triumphs over it.

February 8, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 5, 2015

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, which also goes by the names of Confession or Penance, is a powerful treasure.  Yet there are many misconceptions, many fears, and many questions that surround this great gift to the Church.  Sometimes I think that folks would rather have a dental root canal than walk into a confessional...

If it has been some time since you have gone to Confession, do not fear!  This incredible Sacrament continues to transform hearts and change lives; the following presentation dispels some of the myths and answers many of the common questions that are frequently asked.

This sacrament has four components:

  • Contrition - sometimes called repentance, shows we are sorry
  • Confession - where we admit what we have done
  • Reparation - where we undertake a penance as an outward sign we want to make things right
  • Absolution - where the priest, speaking on God's behalf, extends God's grace and forgiveness

This sacrament will touch our hearts and change our lives!  Confession is not only an experience of forgiveness, but it is a direct encounter with God's grace - a profound and intense path that leads to the love of Jesus Christ.

This 45 minute presentation was given to the RCIA class on March 16, 2014.  These remarks address a wide range of practical issues that are frequently asked and are meant to help us all understand how to embrace the great sacrament of Confession, especially if we are a little hazy about the last time we stepped into a confessional.

March 16, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

Feb 1, 2015

The power and authority of Jesus Christ is evident in the Gospel reading today, as the Lord teaches and then casts out unclean spirits.  This same power was extended through the Apostles; calling upon the Lord these disciples changed the world as they allowed the grace and strength of Christ to flow through their lives.

When we are plugged in to the grace of Jesus, we allow the Lord's love to flow through our lives and touch the hearts of others.  Like extension cords, we become conduits - drawing upon the strength of Christ and sharing his power with those in our lives - so that the Lord's mission will continue through us today.

February 1, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com

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