A central aspect of the mystery of the Holy Trinity is the sense of communion. Communion can thus serve as a measure showing just how far we have progressed in our journey as disciples. Simply put, are we striving to build unity with one another in all aspects of our lives? Do we foster our connections with the Lord and one another? For in the end, if we are going to enter into Heaven, then we have today to remove the obstacles that keep us from communion.
June 10, 2017 - St. Anthony Catholic Church - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
What if the gift of our lives was not measured by time or money, but rather by the sacrifice in our hearts? That's the lesson the Lord reveals about the poor widow in the Gospel today.
June 10, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The first reading and psalm response show people praising God with grateful hearts. What are you thankful for today? How can you express in word or action fitting praise for what God has done in your life?
June 9, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Today is my 20th anniversary as a priest! As I reflect on the Gospel reading today, I pray that each of us will live our Christian vocation to love the Lord and one another with all our heart!
June 8, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
What will it be like in Heaven? When the Sadducees try to trap Jesus, the Lord responds with wisdom that gives insight into God's gift of eternal life.
June 7, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus cuts through the hypocrisy and offers some profound wisdom regarding what we owe in Heaven and on earth.
June 6, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Like a power tool, our lives come alive with the power of the Holy Spirit when we:
Come Holy Spirit! Fill our hearts with the fire of your love!
June 3, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior. WI
The Lord tells Peter to follow him and not focus on what others are doing. What a good reminder for us! May we recognize that the Lord has plans for us all; our task: to carry out our work and follow Jesus with all our heart.
June 3, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
"Do you love me?" This is the question that the Lord puts to Peter three times following the resurrection. It's a good reminder, for in the end our lives are measured by the love - shared and received - that's found in our hearts.
June 2, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord prays for the unity of the disciples, and how pertinent that prayer remains today! May we work tirelessly to promote our connections and relationships, building up our community at all levels in life.
June 1, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
Mary and Elizabeth - pregnant with Jesus and John the Baptist - meet and rejoice at the goodness of the Lord. Both women knew hardship, yet their faith inspires us to see God at work...in good times and in bad.
May 31, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus tells his heavenly Father, "I pray for them." His words offer hope: the Lord prays for us! Our faith, transmitted through time and space from those first disciples, inspires us to pray for one another with the grace and strength of Christ.
May 30, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We say in the creed, "He ascended into Heaven" yet we often do not consider what that means for our lives here on earth:
With Heaven as our home we can evaluate and review our words and actions in preparation for the day when the Lord calls us to follow Him from this world to the next.
May 27, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
"Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you" reminds us that our requests are rooted in our relationship with the Lord. As we grow closer to Christ we change and grow, not only learning what to ask for, but trusting that the one who knows us best will give us what we need.
May 27, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord bluntly teaches that grief is part of our journey of faith, but that it is not the final destination. As we face our challenges today we turn to Jesus Christ for the strength and guidance that will bring us to joy in His kingdom.
May 26, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The first reading offers specific details of location, people and occupation - reminding us that the Lord works through the particular aspects of every human life...including our own!
May 25, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord promises us the Holy Spirit, who will guide us in truth. What challenges are you facing today? Call upon the Holy Spirit for the guidance you need!
May 24, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Paul and Silas - beaten and imprisoned for their faith - bring people to faith in Philippi. Their example shows us that God can use our weakness to bring about great deeds.
May 23, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
With proper diet and exercise our bodies grow stronger. Over time what seemed difficult becomes easy through discipline and hard work. The same is true for our spiritual lives: we grow stronger as we draw near to Christ and grow in his love...thus allowing us to love in difficult and challenging times as we carry out the Lord's command to love as he loves us.
May 20, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Chosen by God does not mean that life will be easy; on the contrary, it will be hard! We know from experience that there are times when we pay the price for doing the right thing, and as we follow Jesus Christ we know that we will meet opposition and difficulty...yet with the Lord's grace we will be given what we need to keep going.
May 20, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus teaches us by his example how to love, and then he commands us to do it - even when it's hard, inconvenient and uncomfortable. May we call upon his grace for the strength we need to love one another as he loves us!
May 19, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus speaks about how love connects us to the Father and flows through us to one another. This connection reminds us that the love we share draws strength from our relationship to Christ.
May 18, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We draw our life from the Lord, just as fruitful branches draw life from the vine. May our words and actions today proclaim Christ dwelling within us!
May 17, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We hunger for peace: in our hearts, our homes, our community and in the world. Where do we find it? Jesus Christ!
May 16, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We are called to be a "living stone" in the hands of the Lord. Purchased by the blood of Christ, our lives are precious - worthy not only of redemption but as an offering through which God can transform and create something dynamic and new. May we offer our lives today and recognize in our sisters and brothers the beauty of their souls.
May 13, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com