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
When Jesus steps into the boat he changes Peter's life forever. As the Lord teaches the crowds and invites Peter to abandon fear and follow him, we find that Christ continues to do the same in our lives, reaching out to us and welcoming us into a life of faith.
September 7, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
What's your treasure? What's so important to you that you will make sacrifices, work hard and dedicate your life to make it happen? A new school year offers the chance for students of all ages to grow in mind and heart!
September 6, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
With authority and power Jesus teaches and drives out a demon in the Gospel today. As his followers, may we call upon the Lord for the guidance and courage we need to face our challenges with his grace.
Both Jeremiah and Jesus acknowledge that they must experience suffering, and learning from them we recognize that suffering is part of our world. When we face suffering with the gift of faith, we grow strong in virtue as we strive to do the right thing, for the right reason, at the right time, in the right way.
September 2, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Three servants were given different amounts of money by their master to invest; two worked hard, one was lazy. The parable reminds us that while we are all given different resources and abilities in this life the Lord still calls us all to use what we've been given with wisdom and hard work.
The wise women in the Gospel today remind us that we are called to be prepared to live our faith for the long haul. Saying yes to the Lord is a crucial step, but it is reaffirmed moment-by-moment as we keep true every day to the teaching and example of Jesus.
September 1, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord invites us to stay awake and alert so that when he calls us we are ready to respond. It begs a question: Do I have any unfinished business that needs to be addressed today? May we examine our hearts and take whatever steps are necessary to be prepared to follow Jesus.
The contrast between the first reading and the Gospel shows two very different examples of behavior. It begs a question: How does our faith help us to live in the routine and everyday challenges we encounter? When people see us, do they see Jesus Christ?
August 30, 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.
Entrusting the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to Peter, Jesus establishes the Church upon a rock that hell itself cannot prevail against. Christ is the key; through prayer, sacraments and virtue we grow in grace through this life so that we can enter into the Lord's Kingdom in the next.
August 26, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Gospel today makes it clear that what we say has to measure up to what we do. When our words and actions are in harmony, then we "practice what we preach" so that others will find in us a living witness of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
August 26, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Love - the Greatest Commandment - offers us an insight into the depth and breadth of the love that God has for us. Pause for a moment and reflect on a time when you experienced love in a blessed way. Now live that love today!
August 25, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
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
Jesus offers a parable about the Kingdom of Heaven where merciful generosity embraces and transcends justice...reminding us that one day we will call upon the Lord for mercy when we stand before him at the end of time.
August 23, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - 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.
The woman in the Gospel of Matthew is tenancious! She trusts that Jesus can offer help for her daughter, and she will not be denied. Her example inspires us to foster a fierce faith - one that receives the gift of God and strengthens it through prayer, Sacraments, and a conviction to offer one's life in love.
August 19, 2017 - St. Anthony Catholic Church - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The woman in the Gospel of Matthew is tenancious! She trusts that Jesus can offer help for her daughter, and she will not be denied. Her example inspires us to foster a fierce faith - one that receives the gift of God and strengthens it through prayer, Sacraments, and a conviction to offer one's life in love.
August 19, 2017 - St. Anthony Catholic Church - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
This short reading from the Gospel of Matthew reveals a beautiful scene: Jesus blessing the children. May we bring our children to the Lord - in prayer, sacraments, and a holy way of life - so that they can receive the blessing of God's grace as they grow.
August 19, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
When asked about divorce Jesus references the Book of Genesis and offers a simple but profound teaching on the sacrament of Marriage: two people become one flesh. While this holy union is a blessing from God, even in ancient times it came with challenges. May we work to support and help those who live this sacred vocation!
August 18, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus teaches about forgiveness through a parable, reminding us that as we have been forgiven by God for our sins we are directed to forgive one another as well.
August 17, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord offers a three-step process to confront division within a relationship. It's practical and powerful...and crucial for us to put into practice.
August 15, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
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
Fear is a part of life, yet our response determines the impact it will have upon us. Peter's experience of fear reminds us that we have an opportunity today to call upon the Lord for the courage we need to face our fears with the power of faith.
August 12, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus heals a child that could not be helped by this disciples. Why? Their faith was not strong enough. As the disciples sought to strengthen their faith we can learn from them, training our "spiritual muscles" to become strong as we turn to the Lord for wisdom, strength and guidance.
August 12, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com