Throughout her life Mary had moments of profound sorrow: the death of the Holy Innocents; the flight into Egypt; relocation to Nazareth; the rejection and betrayal of her Son; his horrific death on the Cross. Yet Mary's faith in God inspires us to recognize that in these painful moments God is near, offering us the strength we need to carry on.
September 15, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Loving other people sounds like a wonderful thing...until we encounter a situation that is hostile, antagonistic, and angry. Yet when we strive to love others in these painful situations we find ourselves drawing near to Jesus, who teaches us to love our enemies and gives us the grace to do so.
September 13, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Light comes from many sources and is crucial for our gift of sight. Fr. Andrew invites the Cathedral School kids to consider how to let the light of Jesus shine in their hearts and out into the world.
September 12, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As Jesus calls and empowers the Twelve to be Apostles, we see how the Lord continues to work in our lives...calling us to follow and then sending us into the world to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven.
September 11, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord's healing ministry reminds us that God continues to bring healing into our world today. May we examine our lives and reach out to others with the healing grace of Christ.
September 8, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
On this feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we read in Luke's Gospel of the birth of Jesus...mindful that if Mary had not been born then God's plan for our salvation would not have taken place.
September 8, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
St. Paul writes to the people of Corinth that we are servants and stewards. As we care for one another and use the resources we have received, we recognize that one day we will all stand before the Lord for judgment.
September 7, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
It's a great fishing story: Christ speaks to the people from a boat, directs the nets, catches the fish...and gains new disciples! What's more, these disciples will grow to become apostles who will continue to do the Lord's work and serve as an example for us today.
September 6, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As the crowds gather around Jesus we see two central elements of his earthly ministry: healing the sick and driving out demons. The Lord's work reveals what the demons already know; he is the Christ, the Son of God who has the power to save and set us free.
September 5, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord teaches with authority and power in the Gospel today. Learning is not just for school; rather, we have lessons to learn throughout life. May we look to the challenges of today and engage our faith with confidence.
September 4, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord points out that the spiritual battle happens on the inside - in our hearts - and within this precious real estate we have the opportunity each day to do our part to keep it clean.
September 1, 2018 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The parable today reveals a crucial insight: We will be measured by what we do with what we have. Comparing ourselves with others is often a waste of time; what's crucial is using what we have been given to the best of our ability.
September 1, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus offers a parable to the disciples about being alert and prepared, reminding us that preparation is a part of our daily life...and reveals our wisdom when we put it into practice.
August 31, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord urges his disciples to be awake and prepared. Every day we have opportunities to stay "spiritually fit" as we call upon God's grace for the demands we encounter.
August 30, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
On this feast of St. Augustine (the patron of my Diocese) we pause to reflect on God's love for us. God is love, and this love is meant to find a home in our hearts and then flow out into the lives of those we meet.
August 28, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The passage from John's Gospel marks a low point in the active ministry of Jesus. The people have seen healing miracles and the multiplication of the fishes and loaves, but when they hear the Lord's teaching about the Eucharist they turn away. It is in this rock-bottom moment that Peter reminds us that we face hard times with the power of our faith in Christ.
Do you want to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven? Then follow the path of service. Our example is Jesus, and the Lord will walk with us every step of the way.
August 25, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Nathaniel is brought to the Lord by Philip and testifies that Jesus is the Son of God. We, too, can acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, and in doing so we have the opportunity to put our faith into practice.
August 24, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The parable in the Gospel of Matthew shows a variety of responses to an invitation. The same is true for our response to the Lord's invitation to live our faith. What will we do today?
August 23, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus offers a parable that reveals God's amazing generosity toward us...inspiring us to extend that generosity to one another.
August 22, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Scriptures today reveal the awesome power of God - the source of all life and grace - and helps us understand that our relationship with the Lord requires us to receive with humble respect from the Almighty as we share the gifts we have been given with grateful hearts.
August 21, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus states that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood to have eternal life. May our reception of the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion nourish our souls as the Lord renews us with his grace.
August 19, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus rebukes the disciples for preventing the children to draw near. It's a powerful reminder for us: how do we help our children come to the Lord? How do we help them grow in faith, hope and love?
August 18, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The exchange about marriage and divorce in the Gospel of Matthew reminds us that these topics have been challenging and messy from the beginning of time. May we call upon the Lord today for the strength to support the marriages around us and help those who face the pain of divorce with the compassion of Christ.
August 17, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus responds to Peter's question about forgiveness with a parable that reveals the power of forgiveness as an intense way of life. It's not easy, but it is the path that we walk to receive God's merciful grace into our hearts.
August 16, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com