We see in the Lord's ministry examples of healing, preaching, and driving out demons...and we look at the ways that we can continue the Lord's work to bring life and hope to those in need.
January 11, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord's rebuke of an unclean spirit in the Gospel of Mark reminds us that not only is evil a part of our lives, but that we have an obligation to confront it with the grace and strength that comes to us through Jesus Christ.
January 10, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Magi were guided through the illumination of knowledge and faith to the Christ Child. We, too, can be guided through the challenges of life when we we use our minds to the best of our ability and get down on our knees to pray for wisdom.
January 8, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The wedding at Cana in Galilee offers a glimpse at the relationship between Mary and Jesus...helping us to understand that when we allow the Lord to work in our lives we discover that what he wants is nothing less than the best.
January 7, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
John the Baptist proclaims that "one mightier than I is coming" into the world. As we encounter the mystery of God we have the opportunity to let go of our need to control and receive the blessing of heavenly grace.
January 6, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The first reading invites us to love one another in deed and in truth, putting our faith into practice as we recognize the needs of those around us and respond with the compassion of Jesus Christ.
January 5, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
"What are you looking for?" Jesus asks the two disciples, and his question continues to speak to our hearts today. As we draw near to the Lord we have the opportunity to seek our hearts' desire from the one who knows us best.
January 4, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is the one who takes away our sins. As we renew our faith each day, may we seek Jesus above all else and commit our lives to his saving grace.
January 3, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Our knowledge of Mary flows from our knowledge of her Son, and her example teaches us how to be living witnesses in the face of adversity as we continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.
Happy New Year!
January 1, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Prologue of the Gospel of John proclaims Jesus Christ - God's Word - who became flesh that we might see and know him. As we draw near to our Savior, we rejoice over God's love and offer our lives as living witnesses of the Lord.
December 31, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph helps us see how God works through each of our families. We face our struggles, make sacrifices, support each other, and receive blessings with gratitude...and through it all we grow in grace.
December 30, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As Simeon held the Christ Child in his arms praising God, he recalls the fulfillment of the Lord's promises and points to the redemption of humanity. May we look back and see how God has touched our lives and embrace each day as a new opportunity to the serve the Lord with full hearts!
December 29, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Surrounded by the glory of Christmas, we have a chilling reminder of the reason why the Lord came into our world. Fueled by rage, jealousy, and hate, King Herod attempts to kill the Christ Child by having every baby boy under two killed in the region around Bethlehem. The senseless violence strikes a chord in our hearts to protect life, inspiring us to proclaim the Prince of Peace in our world today.
December 28, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
John's testimony about Jesus as the Word of God provides us with an opportunity to reflect in this Octave of Christmas:
December 27, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Christmas story touches our hearts and gets past our defenses. Why? Because babies evoke a loving response! God's love story with humanity helps us see how the Lord - in taking on our human form - helps us to draw near through the gentleness of an infant. May the Christ child take us by the hand and lead us this Christmas to embrace our faith and give glory to God through the gift of our lives.
December 24, 2016 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Zechariah's canticle of praise reveals both the work of John the Baptist and the glory of the Lord. God continues to work in our world; may this Christmas renew our faith as we do our part to share the Good News with one another.
December 24, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
John's birth and his naming foreshadow the glory of Jesus. God's great work of salvation leads us to rejoice as we witness how the Lord involves many (including us!) in the mission of Jesus Christ.
December 23, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary's proclaims God's greatness, and her example inspires us to place the Lord first in all that we say and do.
December 22, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The exchange between Elizabeth and Mary follows up the events we heard at Mass yesterday. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes Jesus as her own child (John the Baptist) leaps for joy in her womb. May this Christmas offer us the opportunity to draw near to the Lord and be filled with the same Spirit!
December 21, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The interchange between Gabriel and Mary offers us rich insights regarding how we embrace our faith.
December 20, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Christmas offers a rich opportunity for story telling amid the backdrop of the Great Story of the birth of Jesus. Fr. Andrew discusses some of the comments and insights he has received from his Facebook page, inviting us to consider how film can help us all enter into this holy season.
December 19, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We call upon the Lord as Emmanuel which means "God is with us" when we are alone, exhausted, searching and sinful. May we turn to the Lord in our need and rejoice in the saving power of God!
December 17, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The genealogy of Jesus outlined in Matthew's Gospel recalls the crucial role of family. Our families are crucial networks where we grow and face the challenges of life. While no one has a perfect family (certainly not Jesus!) we all can find within our own families opportunities to foster faith, hope and love.
December 17, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord points out that the works he performs testify on his behalf. Following his example and the words of Isaiah the prophet, we have the opportunity every day to lead others to Christ as we observe what is right and do what is just by offering Christian witness in our daily actions.
December 16, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus offers us a glimpse of the power and beauty of the Kingdom of God, inspiring us to live the Lord's love today as we set our eyes on the world to come.
December 15, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com