The love of Jesus is a light that shines in the darkness of our world. As we draw near to Christ we open our hearts and allow his love to fill and flow through our lives.
March 10, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The parable of Jesus today offers us a profound phrase for our daily meditation: "O God, be merciful to me a sinner."
March 10, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus takes the 10 Commandments and simplifies them down to two. This focus allows us to concentrate our efforts on what is most important in the life of faith: loving God and one another.
March 9, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus drives out a demon and then responds to a comment from the crowd. As we face evil in our lives we call upon the Lord for the strength we need.
March 8, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets, creating a new covenant by which we know God and offer our lives with meaning and power.
March 7, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
St. Peter asks the question that all the disciples are thinking...and Jesus drives home the point about forgiveness with a powerful parable.
March 6, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
This presentation outlines a plan of action for the Christian life. Fr. Andrew explores different aspects of our lives, provides a simple process for personal evaluation and offers practical measurements to review our effort. Given at the Diocese of Superior Men's Retreat on February 17, 2018.
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus cleanses the Temple and offers the sign of his resurrection. As we continue through this season of Lent, may we cleanse what does not belong in our hearts and call upon the Lord for the strength we need to live each day as a precious gift from God.
March 4, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Prodigal Son is a favorite parable for many, and it has layers of meaning and insight that serve us well. Whether it's forgiveness or mercy we require, may we run to our Heavenly Father, trusting that the Lord will never give up on us.
March 3, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The story of Joseph and the parable of the vineyard owner's son reveal the capacity for evil that exists in every human heart. In our need we build our lives upon Jesus Christ, the cornerstone who comes to free us from our sins and lead us into a life of grace.
March 2, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The well known parable of the rich man and Lazarus offers a powerful reminder that we have been given what we need to know the Lord. May we draw up these great gifts: Church teaching, Scripture, Sacraments, Prayer, Fellowship, and the example of the Saints!
March 1, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus addresses a dispute among the disciples by teaching them that the journey to greatness is discovered on the path of service.
February 28, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Isaiah exhorts the people to wash themselves clean. Jesus shows how this cleansing happens when we serve one another with a humble heart.
February 27, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Peter, James and John had a profound experience on the mountain, and Abraham encountered an angel in his test of faith. Both experiences were graces that came at different points of their journey through life. As we follow the Lord through the regular practice of our faith may we take to heart any special graces we receive as gifts from God to continue on our path.
February 25, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
While the phrase "love one another" sounds great when we like the people in question, the real test of faith occurs when it's tough. The command of Jesus to "love your enemies" will demand us to become like the Lord - who even forgave those who nailed him to the Cross. To do this we call upon God for the grace we need to be filled with the love of Christ so that we can share his love in all moments of life...even when surrounded by enemies.
February 24, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord makes is clear in the Gospel of Matthew that if someone has anything against us, we are commanded to go first and be reconciled. Seeking forgiveness and being about reconciliation may be the hardest thing we do as Christians, yet it's essential if we seek to follow Jesus Christ.
February 23, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
When Jesus asks his disciples "Who do you say that I am?" Peter gets it right. Jesus is the Christ, the Lord, the one who saves us from our sins and empowers us as Sons and Daughters of God. Our acceptance of this reality transforms our lives with his light and power!
February 22, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
It's human nature to be looking for a sign from God - guiding our actions and helping us to see the right path. Jesus teaches in the gospel of Luke that we don't need any more signs...we have the Lord! The task now? To put our faith into practice.
February 21, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
It's a powerful prayer, and this gift from the Lord strengthens and directs our lives. Only 55 words in English; may we pray it with conviction and conversion of heart.
February 20, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
It's a simple phrase, and yet it has the power to change our lives and renew our hearts. What began on Ash Wednesday continues now with full power: we repent of our sins and turn to the Lord with open hearts that God's grace might renew us and make us whole.
February 18, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
When asked why he eats with sinners and tax collectors, Jesus offers a powerful response, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners." As we acknowledge our sins and seek repentance we, too, receive the Lord's saving mercy.
February 17, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The spiritual discipline of fasting offers a powerful tool to help us recognize the needs of others. Both Isaiah and Jesus offer key insights into this practice, guiding us to see how fasting in our bodies can bring renewal to our souls.
February 16, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus speaks in direct and blunt language: to be a disciple means that we follow His example as we take up our Cross and follow Him. What's more, the Cross is far more than simple suffering; when we take up our Cross we commit our lives to the service, care and compassion of others...just as Christ offered His life for our salvation.
February 15, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The ashes on our foreheads invite us to repent of the sins that keep us from God and one another. Through fasting, prayer and almsgiving we have powerful tools that can open our hearts and transform our lives in this great season of Lent.
February 14, 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