Lent provides a powerful opportunity to grow closer to the Lord and one another. Yet if we are unprepared we will miss much that this holy season has to offer.
This homily offers practical tips and tools to direct our path. Use this for a simple starting point to make this the best Lent ever!
Originally given on March 2, 2013 - 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 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
This is the 1st of 3 talks given at a Parish Mission on the Eucharist at St. Dominic Church in Frederic, WI on March 8, 2014.
This first talk draws on the Gospel story of Emmaus (Luke 24:1-35) and the writing of St. Justin Martyr. It then outlines the teaching and command of Jesus to receive the Body of Christ so that we become the Body of Christ.
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com
This is the 2nd of 3 talks given at a Parish Mission on the Eucharist at St. Dominic Church in Frederic, WI on March 8, 2014.
This second talk offers a series of practical points on how to prepare and participate in the Mass so that its power can direct our lives.
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com
This is the 3rd of 3 talks given at a Parish Mission on the Eucharist at St. Dominic Church in Frederic, WI on March 8, 2014.
This third talk discusses how Eucharist and Adoration can nourish our spiritual lives and then goes on to connect with a reflection from Pope Francis (given on February 21, 2014) that shows three distinct ways that the Eucharist inspires a Catholic Way of Life.
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 Sacrament of Reconciliation, which also goes by the names of Confession or Penance, is a powerful treasure. Yet there are many misconceptions, many fears, and many questions that surround this great gift to the Church. Sometimes I think that folks would rather have a dental root canal than walk into a confessional...
If it has been some time since you have gone to Confession, do not fear! This incredible Sacrament continues to transform hearts and change lives; the following presentation dispels some of the myths and answers many of the common questions that are frequently asked.
This sacrament has four components:
This sacrament will touch our hearts and change our lives! Confession is not only an experience of forgiveness, but it is a direct encounter with God's grace - a profound and intense path that leads to the love of Jesus Christ.
This 45 minute presentation was given to the RCIA class on March 16, 2014. These remarks address a wide range of practical issues that are frequently asked and are meant to help us all understand how to embrace the great sacrament of Confession, especially if we are a little hazy about the last time we stepped into a confessional.
March 16, 2014 - 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
This "Theology on Tap" reflection offers some practical ways to strengthen your prayer life and grow closer to God. Some topics include:
Originally given on November 11, 2013 - Dubh Linh's Pub - Duluth, MN
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
The Magi followed the Star which led them to Jesus Christ - the source of all Light. Through their journey, they reveal two points for consideration today:
The Feast of the Epiphany - where light shines upon us for understanding, insight, and hope - strengthens us to welcome God's light into our hearts, that we may be a light to those around us!
January 4, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
The Incarnation of Jesus - who is both the Son of God and the Son of Mary - helps us understand the way that God has drawn near to us. The bridge between the human and divine was made possible when Jesus - born of Mary - closed the gap between heaven and earth. God comes to us so that we may come to know God!
As we begin to move into a New Year, what gaps and obstacle are before us? As we begin to see the challenges in our lives, may we turn to the Son of Mary for the help and strength we need to face life with the conviction that God continues to reach out to us in love.
January 1, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
The Holy Family encountered great extremes of blessing and hardship. Their witness can teach us two crucial lessons:
The example of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph can inspire us to call upon God's help as we walk with our families through life.
December 28, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
In A Christmas Carol we see two completely different portraits of Ebenezer Scrooge: on one hand he is a tight-fisted miser whose heart is cold; on the other hand he is a fully alive uncle and employer who wishes "Merry Christmas!" to friends and strangers alike.
What happened? What brought about the transformation? Simply put, the power of Christmas - Jesus Christ - touched his heart and changed his life.
This power continue to speak to us today. The incarnation of Jesus - God becoming like us - removes all barriers and obstacles that keep us from the Lord and one another. By recognizing the parts of our lives that have "Bah! Humbug!" and turning to Christ, we can receive the power and grace of Christmas.
December 25, 2014 - Midnight Mass - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
At the end of A Christmas Carol Scrooge chooses to make a change in his life that will affect everything. In the Gospel, Mary chooses to embrace the message of the angel Gabriel.
Our choices carry powerful consequences for ourselves and those around us. Sometimes they are major events in life, but often they occur throughout a day as we freely decide to either step up (seeking what is good) or step down (giving in to temptation and sin).
This Christmas, may the choices we make be guided by the love and grace of Jesus Christ!
December 21, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
We take out the trash regularly from the kitchen, or else we live with the stink and stench of smelly garbage. In the same way Advent gives us a ready made opportunity to search our hearts and through the sacrament of reconciliation to remove the stink of sin so that God's grace might give us healing and peace
December 13, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
There are times when we formally say "Yes, I accept" to new opportunities in our lives. Mary's "yes" to the angel Gabriel gives us an example and model as the Lord invites us to follow our call.
December 8, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
A Christmas Carol has several characters that stand out:
Fan (Scrooge's sister) - full of love for her older brother
Fred (Scrooge's nephew) - full of Christmas cheer
Fezziwig (Scrooge's old boss) - knows how to celebrate Christmas
Bob Cratchit (Scrooge's clerk) - loves his family deeply
Tiny Tim (Bob's weakly son) - strives to live thoughtfully with goodness/kindness
Note: They are all filled with hope, even as they face the difficulties of life: Fan will die young; Fred grew up without a mom; Fezziwig knew the challenges of running a business; Bob knew about poverty and making tough sacrifices; and Tiny Tim knew firsthand the hard realities of illness.
It invites us to ponder - how do we prepare our hearts with Advent hope? Are we receiving hope, and are we passing it on to one another?
December 7, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
This talk was part of an Advent retreat offered at Cathedral of Christ the King. Six categories are offered to help us see more clearly the face of Christ:
December 6, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
Just as Jacob Marley provided a wake up call to Ebenezer Scrooge, we have been given an opportunity to be alert to the coming of the Lord. Advent is our opportunity to prepare our hearts - pausing to reflect and consider the state of our souls - so that when the Lord Jesus comes he will find us ready.
November 30, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
The feast of Christ the King reminds us that Jesus Christ - the king of the universe - comes to us in a loving and accessible way. He's the judge, the savior, the messiah, and the Lord - yet for all that power and glory he breaks through all boundaries to come to us in the midst of our human weakness and fraility.
The king became like us...so we can know him!
November 23, 2014 - 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
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica reminds us that our churches are sacred spaces where we encounter the depth and breadth of human experience in the context of God's grace. We come before the Lord in our need - reaching out in gratitude and petition - that we might be renewed in faith, hope, and love.
November 9, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com