This talk is the third of three given at a KC Men's Retreat. The focus of this talk is on SERVICE - how we intentionally live out our faith, following the example of Jesus Christ. This talk provides a method and general guidelines for the application of faith in daily life.
September 13, 2014 - St. Joseph Church - Hayward, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
This talk is the second of three given at a KC Men's Retreat. The focus of this talk is on PRAYER - how we build and develop our relationship with Jesus Christ. A number of practical points are made to show how each of us can connect with the Lord in ways that make sense to our own unique temperment and style.
September 13, 2014 - St. Joseph Church - Hayward, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
This talk is the first of three given at a KC Men's Retreat. The focus of this talk is on STUDY - how we learn about our faith so we can feed our minds and develop our relationship with Jesus Christ. A number of practical points are made to show how each of us can find particular ways to intellectually grow.
September 13, 2014 - St. Joseph Church - Hayward, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
Keys are part of our lives. Here are three ways in particular:
How will we use the keys we have been given? How will we offer our lives to use what we have been given in good and prudent ways.
August 24, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
Do you remember a time when you were a stranger, visitor, or guest? Were you welcomed? Who welcomed you? How did they make you feel, and how did they help you fit in?
Welcoming others is a central part of hospitality. When we recognize that we are brothers and sisters in the Lord, how do we interact with one another? God reaches out to all people, inviting them to draw near. May the Lord help us to treat one another with the love and enthusiasm of Christ!
August 17, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
Four scenes are touched in this homily:
1) Jesus feeding the 5000
2) Jesus alone in prayer
3) Jesus approaching the boat during a storm
4) Jesus saving Peter
We can enter into each of these scenes and recognize God at work in our lives in moments of gratitude, stillness, fear, help. Just as the Lord was present to the people in the Gospel, he is present to us! May we reach out and let him take us by the hand.
August 10, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
The crowds drawn to Jesus in the Gospel are healed and fed by the Lord, who again at the Last Supper does the following with bread:
This happened at the Feeding Miracle and the Last Supper, and it happens at every Mass! We receive the Lord himself, who strengthens and nourishes us so that we will be a blessing to the people and situations that confront us!
August 3, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
How do we make decisions? What aspects of our Christian faith can help and guide us to choose wisely? Here are three points to keep in mind:
Choices confront us all the time. When we look in, out, and up we make the best decisions possible - drawing on all the resources that God provides.
July 27, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
Seeds and Weeds are part of every garden. Seeds require care and attention; weeds are constant presence that require dedicated effort to remove.
What's true for the garden is also true for our hearts. There are seeds that we want to grow into fruitful harvests of virtue & spiritual gifts, and their are weeds in the form of sin and temptation that we want to remove.
July 19, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
A garden offers many insights for life and spiritual life:
These practical points of gardening can inspire us to apply them to our spiritual lives, that we take the gift of life that we have been given and offer the blessing of our uniqueness opportunities to be a blessing to others.
July 13, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
There are many ways to say "I love you" to the people in our lives:
The reality of love, its power and beauty, can thus be expressed in many different ways. Similarly, the love of God is revealed to us through the mystery of the Trinity: one God, revealed in three Persons.
May we enter into this great mystery of God's love, and may we express this love - in a variety of powerful ways - to the people in our lives.
June 15, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
The Holy Spirit - the third Person of the Trinity - descended upon the disciples and empowered them to proclaim the Good News of Christ. With the power of the Spirit these disciples will change the world.
Here are two powerful ways the Spirit helps us:
The Spirit continues to work through us today - guiding and empowering us to live our lives for the Lord. Come Holy Spirit!
June 8, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
There are times in life when we need to say goodbye - letting go of familiar things and embracing new opportunities and challenges. Transitions are difficult, yet they are a common way we grow.
The Feast of the Ascension reminds us that the disciples faced their transition as the Lord was lifted up to Heaven. We, too, are called to step out and undertake the opportunities and challenges that the Lord sets before us, embracing our transitions so that the Lord can stretch and transform us!
June 1, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
God commands us to love, both the Lord and one another. Love is a way we live - a verb that calls us to actions. 3 thoughts:
May 25, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For other podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Stones are the bones of the earth. They may or may not be attractive, but when they are shaped and formed they can become powerful - capable of supporting tremendous weight.
Our hearts can do the same. When we shape and form our hearts - working together with those around us - we become a living temple that gives glory to God. In our unity we become strong, united in the Lord's love for service in the world.
May 18, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Jesus is not only the shepherd who calls us, he is the gate that protects and guards. When our our lives on earth are finished, the Lord will not only call us - but he will be at the gate. Will we be ready to greet him? Do we have any unfinished business that needs to be addressed? If so, then perhaps today offers the opportunity for us to attend to our hearts.
May 11, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Christ's greeting "Peace be with you!" in the Gospel teaches us about the Lord's longing for us:
We hunger and long for peace...we need it! And to understand peace, there are two distinct components to look for:
Both are crucial for an authentic expression of the Lord's peace, and both are required if we will live the Peace of Christ in our hearts.
April 27, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Day transforms the hearts of the disciples. Formerly afraid and timid, they will now boldly go out into the world - facing terrible fears - proclaiming the Good News with joy.
The power of the resurrection continues through our lives today. We embrace the examples of the apostles and continue the mission of Christ.
This is Easter power! Filled with hope and joy!
April 20, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
The death of the Lord on the Cross reveals God's uncondional love to take away sin and as Jesus stood in our place.
April 12, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Lazarus, brought back to life by Jesus, is given a second chance - a gift - to live his life. His example reminds us that every day is a gift from the Lord to share our lives with joy and power.
April 6, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Thirst is a common experience of human life. We need water, and we have all experienced the physical sensation that tells us what we need:
The same is true for our souls, when we feel the thirst - the longing - for something in our hearts. In our need Jesus Christ comes to us - with the living water that restores us to life.
March 23, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
A test determines the extent and limit of our ability, knowledge, and power. Tests reveal our strengths and weaknesses - showing us parts of our lives that we might not otherwise notice.
Temptation, like testing, uncovers those parts of our hearts where we our vulnerable. The weaknesses of Adam & Eve are redeemed by the Lord, who faced his three temptations and triumphed over them. May we turn to Christ and draw strength, that even when we are tempted, we can trust in his grace.
March 9, 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
We have all encountered "stuff" in our lives. Over time we can find in our closets, garages, and attics that the stuff we have tends to accumulate and multiply. We are confronted with a simple process:
The same is true for our hearts! Over time we discover both good and bad elements that need to be examined and sorted - what needs to stay and what needs to go?
May this upcoming mission help us to look to the death and resurrection of Christ for the strength and wisdom we need to cleanse our hearts.
March 7, 2015 - Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church - Green Valley, AZ
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com
God keeps speaking to us, and we have a daily opportunity to listen and take the message to heart. A couple of points to remember:
May we listen to the Lord - and allow both the message and the messager to touch us and help us grow.
March 9, 2015 - Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church - Green Valley, AZ
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com
Forgiveness is one of those great teachings of Jesus that is easy to hear and hard to do. Yet when we say "I'm sorry" and "I forgive you" the grace and peace of Christ flows into our hearts. God forgives us, and the Lord invites us to embrace this reality in our daily lives with one another.
March 10, 2015 - Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church - Green Valley, AZ
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com