Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

While reflecting on the gospel reading from St. John (Jn 15:9-17), Fr. Riccardo discusses discipleship.  Fr. John reads a sermon from Dietrich Bonhoeffer titled Costly Grace.  Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor and theologian who was executed by the Nazis in Flossenburg prison camp in 1945.  Fr. John reminds the congregation that to surrender to God leads to great joy.

While reflecting on the gospel reading from St. John (Jn 15:1-8), Fr. Riccardo offers encouragement to congregants facing daily struggles. Fr. John encourages us to, "Ask God for the grace to know that He will bring to completion the good work that He has begun in us."

Fr. John encourages the congregation to ask the Holy Spirit to allow us to hear God's voice telling us with conviction of our identity as sons or daughters of God.

Each year Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel with a Streamer Day Mass to recognize the eighth grade students who will soon complete their final studies at the elementary school. Fr. Riccardo's homily from this year's Mass is presented here.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the importance of Eucharistic Adoration is this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.  Fr. John reminds the congregation that the Eucharist is exposed after the weekday 6:30 AM Mass until 8:00 AM, and all day on Tuesday for the day of prayer.  Fr. John encourages all parishioners to spend time praying before the Blessed Sacrament.

In this homily for Divine Mercy Sunday, Fr. Riccardo focuses on forgiveness.  Fr. John tells the congregation that they will come to know God's mercy and His peace by forgiving others.

Fr. Riccardo addresses the congregation of Our Lady of Good Counsel Roman Catholic Church in this homily from the Easter Vigil Mass.

In this homily for Holy Thursday, Fr. Riccardo discusses the meaning of triduum.  Fr. John asks the congregants to pray for the parish priests, and for all priests, that they will conform their lives to the example of Jesus.  Father discusses the extraordinary gift of the Eucharist, and exhorts the congregation to pray while reflecting on Christ's passion and asking God for direction.

In this homily for Palm Sunday, Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregants to unite their personal suffering with the suffering of Jesus on the cross.  Fr. John tells us to expect great things to happen during Holy Week.

While continuing to discuss the cost and rewards of discipleship, Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation, "Are you and I unashamed disciples of Jesus?"  Fr. John recommends that the congregants watch or listen to Cardinal Dolan's recent keynote address at the Rockville Centre 2012 Public Policy Convocation and read Archbishop Chaput's book Render Unto Caesar.