What is the most important thing in your life? What's at the center of your life - that which gives meaning, purpose, and perspective to everything else that you do? The Lord invites us today to focus on him, so that everything we think, say, and do is touched by the grace of Jesus Christ. With God first, our lives become balanced and empowered - allowing us to use resources, relate with others, and engage our lives with conviction and joy!
October 11, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
We face a dilemma in our world today: we want to say something positive and beautiful about the blessing of marriage, yet we also know first hand the pain and awkwardness of divorce. Two words from the example of Jesus can guide us - Connect & Help.
October 3, 2015 - St. Anthony, Superior WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Jealousy and Greed (like most vices) can easily grow in our souls...unless we are constantly vigilant to starve them out and feed on God's grace. Joshua, John, and the community of James all needed to be reminded, and they will take these lessons to heart. May we do the same.
September 26, 2015 - St. Anthony Church - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
All of us face moments of difficult, trial, and temptation. In these moments we are tested, and as we face our challenges we discover meaning and purpose for our lives as we call upon the help of heaven and earth for the help we need.
September 20, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts to go threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Where do we find the strength to keep going when life tries to knock us off course?
Yes! We can walk the walk...with a little help from on earth and in Heaven.
September 12, 2015 - St. Anthony Church - Superior
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Illness shows no partiality: young & old, rich & poor, male and female, regardless of race, creed or education. Yet in the midst of human illness we find Jesus meeting people in the diversity of their needs with an encounter that leads to healing and grace. The Letter of James reminds us that we, too, are called to show no partiality; rather, we reach out to those before us as fellow children of God. May the Lord strengthen us in Prayer, Word, and Sacrament to be renewed with the grace of Jesus Christ - empowering us to engage one another with healing and hospitality.
September 6, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
In football, trick plays are sometimes used to fake out an opponent with misdirection - focusing on something unimportant while the play is happening somewhere else. Life works the same way: it is easy to spend our time and resources on trivial matters and miss out on critical issues.
The Lord points this out in the Gospel today, inviting us to concentrate on the battle within our hearts. Here are three things to consider:
Through regular use we strengthen our hearts and focus our lives on important things, asking the Lord for the help and guidance we need to conquer our daily battles.
August 30, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Life is difficult. In the midst of our struggle to make good choices and carry out challenging tasks, we call upon God for the help we need. As we encounter Jesus Christ in Holy Communion to be strengthened for the burdens of life, we pray for Wisdom to choose wisely and Courage to carry it out.
August 23, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Family dinners - be they big or small - touch our hearts in a number of ways:
The same is true when we come to the Lord's table at every Mass. We are nourished with Christ's Body & Blood. We are united as the People of God - as brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends. We are empowered to go forth, touching the hearts of those we meet with the grace and peace of Jesus Christ.
May our reception of Holy Communion feed our souls, foster unity, and empower us to live our lives for the Lord!
August 16, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Every breath we take is sustained by the will of God. Our dependence upon the Almighty can help us in two key ways:
In our need we draw strength from the Bread of Life - who gives us what we need to face each day!
August 9, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Have you ever "wanted" something - thinking that if you only had this one thing you would be...happy, fulfilled, and free of care? There are many good (and some not so good) things that we can want, but none of them will completely satisfy us. We are left restless, longing for something at the center of our our hearts. We know that nothing in this world will satisfy us for a simple reason:
Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life."
The Lord knows us, loves us, died and rose for us, and longs for us to be united in his Sacred Heart. Christ comes to us - sharing his Body and Blood - that we might never hunger and thirst again. When we draw near to the altar, may our "Amen" resound with a desire to unite our hearts to Jesus Christ - the one who knows our wants, but responds to our needs.
August 1, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Our daily need for nourishment reminds us of our basic dependence on wholesome food. What's more, we recognize that we depend upon the Lord for spiritual grace as well. As we ponder the multiplication miracle in today's Gospel, I suggest that we draw near to the Lord with Gratitude and Petition - responding in love to the one who knows our needs and longs to provide the sustenance we require.
July 26, 2015 - St. Anthony Church - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
There are moments in life when we need a little help. We encounter situations and circumstances that are more than we can handle. As Jesus looked upon the crowds in the Gospel today he saw their needs and took pity on them. His response reminds us of two important considerations today:
Christ not only helped others, but he empowered the Apostles to do the same. May we acknowledge our need for the Lord and respond to the needs of those who God sets before us.
July 19, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Both Amos and the Apostles are chosen by God and empowered to do amazing things. The tasks set before them are difficult and challenging - obstacles that will test them. The Letter to Ephesians reminds us, however, that God chooses us as well! Here are three points to help us face the struggles of life:
May the words of the Scriptures and the examples of the saints inspire us to engage the obstacles of life with God's grace!
July 12, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Sometimes there are obstacles that are keeping us from saying what needs to be said...or hearing what needs to be heard. What's more, before we can face the challenges of speaking or listening we might be better served by naming these obstacles in our lives. Once we can give it a name, we can bring it before the Lord for the help and strength we need to pull these obstacles out of the way.
July 5, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Jesus defines much of his ministry with clear examples of healing others, and the Gospel today gives us an insight about how we draw near the Lord. We have all had experiences where we long for healing. We have seen loved ones suffer, and many of us know first hand the presence of pain in our lives. May the example of Jairus and the unnamed woman inspire us to seek the healing grace of Christ!
June 28, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
We get to live in this beautiful part of the country! From the wonder of creation we can get some insights into the power and love of God. May these insights inspire us:
With open eyes and willing hearts...may our love for the Creator be inspired by the creation we enjoy!
June 21, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Nature teaches us that little seeds lead to big things. Life is a process of growth and change, and from the Gospel reading we can consider two points:
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a seed - it starts small but keeps growing! May we do the same, as individuals and united together, to grow in faith, hope, and love.
June 14, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.come
For more podcasts, go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
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:
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:
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
Suffering is a part of human life. It is often found in one of four quadrants of human experience:
When we encounter suffering we can first do our part:
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
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
Remember as kids when we learned how to do long division? Remember what happens when you make a mistake early on, only to find out at the end that the answer is wrong? And remember how you have to:
The same is true for spiritual life. Both the first reading and the Gospel call us to repent - turning away from our sins and mistakes and following God with full hearts. May we call upon the Lord's grace to move forward with God's help as we embrace the Good News.
January 24, 2014 - St. William Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com
The call of the Lord today touched the hearts of Samuel and two disciples of John the Baptist through the assistance of Eli and John. Their example speaks to us:
May we keep our hearts open through Scripture, Prayer, and Fellowship; may we speak to others in love - sharing what we see so that they can find their path.
January 18, 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
Water is an essential element here on Earth - capable of death and life.
The Baptism of the Lord was a moment that transforms and empowers all baptisms - configuring the newly baptized to Jesus Christ. His death on the Cross destroys our sin and death; his resurrection opens the doors of Heaven for our eternal life.
Today, what sin and/or temptation needs to be destroyed by the grace of Baptism? What virtues and abilities need to be nourished by the Lord's saving power that comes to us through our Baptism?
January 11, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
We use our calendars to keep us on track. But there are traps:
We can get caught up in the past - and beat ourselves up over our mistakes.
We can get absorbed in the future - wasting time over unknown worry.
Rather, we are called to encounter the present moment - learning from the past as we plan and build for our future. This is true not just for life, but for our spiritual journey as well.
November 16, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com