It's called the Magnificat - a song of praise that Mary offers - and it has been a prayer of powerful reflection for the Church for 2000 years. Recognizing that God is in charge, initiating, leading, empowering and conquering evil, we are united in grace and draw near to the Lord.
December 22, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary and Elizabeth, pregnant with their sons as foretold by the angel Gabriel, are filled with the Holy Spirit as they encounter one another. The presence of the Spirit gives us an insight into what happens when we cooperate with God's grace in our lives: the Lord does great things!
December 21, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
While the story of the angel Gabriel and Mary is well known, its familiarity can blind us to the fact that just as God worked through Mary's life, God works in ours. The question is, will we use the blessings we have been given for the Lord's glory? Will we say yes to Jesus Christ today?
December 20, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Luke's Gospel sets the context for the birth of John the Baptist - the last and greatest prophet who will proclaim Jesus as the Lamb of God - and shows us how God constantly works through our lives to bring about something new.
December 19, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
St. Joseph's reception and response to the angel's message offers us a fitting example of faith in action as we receive God's word and respond in love to Jesus Christ!
December 18, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Scriptures today reveal Zephaniah, the Psalmist, St. Paul and John the Baptist as God's messengers who communicate to the people. They remind us that we are all messengers for Jesus Christ, called to proclaim and receive a message of joy.
December 15, 2018 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord speaks of a sober reality in the Gospel today: both he and John the Baptist will suffer. It's a powerful reminder that Christ came for us...our sins, our weaknesses, our wounds...and he offers his life that we might be reunited with God.
December 15, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord reveals how the people complained about him and John the Baptist. Their "glass is half empty" thinking demonstrates the tremendous influence we have in shaping and determining our attitude...especially in difficult moments in our lives.
December 14, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord speaks to the people about John the Baptist as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He is Elijah, who points out the Lamb of God, and from this foundation of faith we take our part in God's great story of salvation history.
December 13, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
On this feast day it is good to reflect on the history of Mary's apparition to Juan Diego in 1531. Through the miracles that followed Mary's presence transformed a people, offering us a clear reminder that God continues to work through his angels and saints.
December 12, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus reveals how God looks at us in our wounded and vulnerable state. Seeking what is lost and rejoicing when found, the Lord thus teaches us how to relate to one another.
December 11, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
In every age people find themselves looking for hope as they face the challenges and battles of life. Jesus Christ is the foundation of our hope, inspiring us to seek out the Lord in our lives and discerning how we can share our hope with one another.
December 8, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary's response to the angel Gabriel reveals her role in God's plan for our salvation. Chosen by the Lord, she offers us an example of faithfulness that inspires us every day to say yes to God's call for our lives.
December 7, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
How strong is our faith in the Lord? Do we see Jesus at work in our lives? Two blind men in the Gospel of Matthew teach us today how to call upon the Lord in our blindness as we trust in Christ's guidance every day.
December 7, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus reminds his disciples that when our actions match the words of our faith we build our lives on a foundation which can weather the storms of life.
December 6, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Gospel of Matthew reveals the heart of Jesus - filled with pity for the crowds - and helps us understand how the Lord looks at us, especially when we are weak, wounded, lost and struggling. May this scripture passage give us hope to return to the Lord once again in our need, and trust in his boundless love.
December 5, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The prophet Isaiah offers a vision of hope that will happen when all people are drawn to the Lord's mountain. Jesus echoes this sentiment when he tells the disciples that they are blessed by what they see and hear...reminding us to keep our eyes fixed on Heaven as we journey here on earth.
December 4, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We have the gift of this short, powerful season of Advent to heed the message of God's love in the person of Jesus Christ. Are we ready? This is the time to take the message to heart and put it into practice.
December 1, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Throughout our lives we have numerous experiences of vigilance: watching over a loved one, remaining attentive to someone's needs or waiting in expectation for an arrival. The same is true everyday in the spiritual life as we are vigilant in living our faith for Jesus Christ.
December 1, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Andrew, and we hear how he and his brother responded to the Lord's call. Indeed, the Lord continues to call all of us...will we follow?
November 30, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Our faith clearly acknowledges that there will be a final judgment, and while this reality can bring a grim awareness of our sins, it can also serve as an inspiration to take hold of the gift of today and live our faith with conviction.
November 29, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Fr. Andrew speaks to the kids at Cathedral School about how the seed of God's love can grow in our hearts.
November 28, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord urges the people to not be led by deception and fear. Instead, we face these obstacles with the grace that comes God.
November 27, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We are servants and stewards of Christ, our King. This means that our faith is not some hazy, vague experience; rather, it is dynamic and life-giving as we conform our lives to the commands of the one who claims our obedience.
November 25, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As the Lord teaches about eternal life, we are reminded that our lives here on earth are a preparation for our encounter with the angels and saints gathered around God in Heaven.
November 24, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com