The Lord offers a bold job description for disciples: You are the Salt of the earth and the Light of the world! As we draw near to Jesus we also become conduits of his grace, touching the hearts and lives of those around us. May we shine with the Good News of the Gospel!
June 12, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Our faith acknowledges the presence and power of sin in our world today. Temptation is all around us, working to ensnare us and lead us astray. The solution? Jesus comes into our world to free us from the chains of sin and lead us into the grace that only God can provide.
June 9, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary and Joseph are searching for Jesus in Jerusalem, only to find him in the Temple. When asked by his mother his response "I must be in my Father's house" invites us to follow his example and meet the Lord in church...where he is always present in the tabernacle!
June 9, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus teaches that love - of God and one another - is the greatest commandment. Why? Because we are called into relationship with the Lord and each other, and these relationships are nurtured, strengthened and guided by our willingness to love one another as God loves us.
June 7, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The reading from the Second Letter to Timothy offers the exhortation to "stir into flame the gift of God" and live with conviction and courage. This gift is our Christian faith; and just as a tiny spark can produce a bonfire, so too, our faith can provide the spark that ignites our lives for service in the world as we draw near to the Lord and one another.
June 6, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Your life is a gift. Freely given by God, this treasure is meant to be shared and lived with a passionate conviction. May gratitude fill our hearts as we offer our lives to the Lord!
June 5, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus responds with wisdom and insight when questioned about his authority. As his disciples we call upon the Lord for the grace, power and authority we need to live our lives with the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
June 2, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord exhorts the disciples to have faith in God. Sometimes that is easier to say than do! Yet as our trust in the Lord grows we discover that we are able to see our path in life and have the strength to continue along the way.
June 1, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
In the exchange between Mary and Elizabeth the two women give praise and thanks to God for the blessings they have witnessed. May we take their example to heart and do the same in our lives each and every day.
May 31, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord teaches the disciples that those who wish to be great must be the servant of all. This insight helps us to understand the Lord's example on the Cross: as Jesus offers his life, so we are called to share the gift of our lives with one another.
May 30, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord teaches that all of our relationships find their focus and balance when God comes first. Today we have the opportunity to evaluate our lives: is there anything that is keeping us from Christ?
May 29, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus commands the disciples to let people bring their children to be blessed, and then teaches that we must be like children to enter into the Kingdom of God. May we run to the Lord with eager joy, even as we also do our part to help others encounter the love of Christ.
May 26, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus speaks to the Pharisees and then afterward the disciples about the issue of divorce. As we strive to support and strengthen married couples may we reach out to those who are hurting from a divorce and help them rebuild their lives.
May 25, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus teaches that there are real consequences for our actions, reminding us that even the smallest things can have eternal results.
May 24, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus offers an important insight into how different groups can work together. When we put aside our ego and focus on the Lord's mission we discover our ability to empower one another in the spirit and mission of Christ.
May 23, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
The Lord confronts the bickering of the disciples with counter examples of selfless service and a little child. As we offer our lives for the Lord, may we do so with a sincere and genuine transparency.
May 22, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord warns the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, and he reminds them of the multiplication of the loaves to feed thousands. It's a good insight that both good and bad things start small, and like leaven in dough, they can make big differences.
February 13, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Suffering affects our lives on many levels - body, mind, heart and soul - and it can weaken and wound our relationships with one another. When we respond with compassion, help, unity and God's grace we can restore what was broken with the healing power of Christ.
February 10, 2018 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus performs a feeding miracle for the crowds that have been listening to him for three days. This practical point reminds us that we, too, are called to nourish body and soul for the basic needs of those around us.
February 10, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus heals a deaf man with a speech impediment and simultaneously empowers him with the gift of hearing and speaking. Words have power to build up or tear down; our invitation today is to use the gift of speech for the glory and praise of God.
February 9, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The faith expressed by the woman in the Gospel today was simple and direct...and because of this her child was healed. May her example inspire us to take the gift of faith we have been given and engage our lives with the power and insight of Jesus Christ.
February 8, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus describes the evil that can come from our hearts, reminding us that the battle is often within. As we strive to follow the Lord we turn from these sins and look to the Cross of Christ.
February 7, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus quotes Isaiah the prophet, recalling the need for the Lord to be at the center of our hearts. Once God is at the center, everything else we say and do fits into proper perspective.
February 6, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Suffering, for all its challenges and burdens, is a part of human life. How do we face it? How do we find the strength and wisdom to keep going? When we bring our faith in Jesus Christ into the center of our lives we find the courage and conviction to continue on as the Lord guides us through this life to the life to come.
February 3, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus invites the disciples to rest after they return from their mission. It's a good reminder that there is always more work than we can possibly accomplish; our task is to make sure that we balance our lives with the rest we need so that we can keep serving the Lord.
February 3, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com