Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

Fr. Riccardo reflects on the sacrament of marriage in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.  While focusing on today's second reading from St. Paul (1 Cor 7:32-35), Fr. John remarks that marriage is a special charism given by God to a couple for a public purpose.

Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that we are all called to be prophets.  While reflecting on the message of repentance from today's readings (Jon 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20), Fr. John encourages the congregation to speak on God's behalf with courage and charity on the major moral issues that confront us.

Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to spend time in prayful reflection with one line from this week's readings.  The readings for this Sunday are 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; and Jn 1:35-42.

In this homily for The Feast of the Epiphany, Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation whether Jesus is the star that guides their lives. The readings for this day are Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; and Mt 2:1-12.

In this homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Fr. Riccardo considers the life of Mary, and encourages the congregation to begin each day in the new year with silent reflection and prayer, considering all that God has done for us.

In this homily from Christmas Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to ask God to give them eyes to see and a mind to understand all that God has done for them. Fr. John remarks that adults can learn from watching how children approach Christmas with a sense of awe and wonder.

On December 14th, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish hosted Greg Jeffrey, an independent development consultant and author. Mr. Jeffrey spoke on the topic of his book Why Enoough is Never Enough: Overcoming Worries About Money-A Catholic Perspective.

While reflectng on the Announciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary from today's gospel reading (Luke 1:26-38), Fr. Riccardo asks, "What makes it possible for Mary to say yes?"

Fr. Riccardo tells the congregation that God wants us to walk out of Mass each Sunday transformed. He wants us to be made holy through our participation in the liturgy, and to become more like Him.  While reflecting on the readings of this day (Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28), Fr. John remarks that we should leave Mass with God's love spilling out of us and onto those we encounter each day.

While reflecting on events in the parish during the past week and on the day's scripture readings (Is 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Pt 3:8-11; Mk 1:1-8), Fr. Riccardo asks, "What is the purpose of time?" Fr. John suggests that God gives us time so that we might come to know Him, so that we might change our ways, and so that we might change the immediate world in which we live.