Sun, 29 December 2013
In this homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Fr. Riccardo takes a look at what scripture teaches about marriage and family life. While considering the readings of this day (SIR 3:2-6, 12-14; COL 3:12-21; and MT 2:13-15, 19-23), Fr. John encourages the congregants to build a strong foundation for their families. |
Wed, 25 December 2013
In this homily from the midnight Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr. Ricccardo looks at Jesus as bridegroom. Fr. John reminds the congregation that Christmas is about God's desire for us. How will we respond to Jesus' request: will you be mine? |
Mon, 23 December 2013
Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregants of the reasons they have to hope in God in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. |
Mon, 16 December 2013
While considering today's gospel account from St. Matthew (MT 11:2-11), Fr. Riccardo discusses the importance of asking questions. Just as John the Baptist sent his disciples to question whether Jesus is the true messiah, Fr. John encourages the congregation to ask questions during times of doubt. |
Mon, 2 December 2013
In this homily for the first Sunday of Advent, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that this is the time to look at our lives and see what must be done to grow in conformity with Jesus. Fr. John asks the congregants to consider trimming the attitudes, speech, and actions that most threaten our spiritual growth. |
Mon, 18 November 2013
Fr. Riccardo discusses the healing power of God in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. While addressing a congregation that included children beginning to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, Fr. John recounts examples from his own life where he has witnessed miraculous healings. Fr. John asks the congregation if they have the faith to ask God to do things which He has a track record of doing. |
Mon, 11 November 2013
Fr. Riccardo discusses the reality of evil in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John looks at: who is the devil, what his names mean, his mode of operation, his goal, his relationship to Jesus, why it may look like he is winning, and what this has to do with us as a parish right now. |
Thu, 7 November 2013
On Friday, November 1st, and Saturday, November 2nd, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church hosted retreat sessions for participants in the parish's Alpha course. The retreat sessions focused on the Holy Spirit, and included some personal testimonies. This is Fr. Riccardo's testimony from the Friday session. |
Sat, 2 November 2013
Fr. Riccardo discusses the importance of knowing Jesus, encountering Him, and making Him known in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel. Fr. John reflects on his own life-changing encounter with Jesus, and the profound way that his life was changed by that encounter. (LK 19:1-10) |
Mon, 28 October 2013
Fr. Riccardo discusses the ways in which God guides us in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John reviews the Alpha topic from week six that seeks to answer the question "How does God guide us?" Fr. John takes a closer look at guidance through the counsel of the saints and reflects on the ways he was guided by the examples of his parents and siblings as an adolescent and young adult. |
Sat, 28 September 2013
Fr. Riccardo reflects on the parable of Lazarus and the rich man from today's gospel reading (LK 19:19-31) in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John tells that congregation that while there are numerous proclamations in scripture that deal with the requirement that people of means share their wealth with those less fortunate, the true message in Luke's gospel today deals with our resistance to fully following Christ. |
Mon, 23 September 2013
Fr. Riccardo discusses the recent interview of Pope Francis by Fr. Antonio Spadaro, S.J., for La Civiltà Cattolica, the Italian Jesuit journal, in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel. Fr. John explains how the Holy Father's words connect with his goals for the Alpha program currently underway at OLGC. While discussing the proclaimation of the kerygma, Fr. John remarks, "The first experience that we should have in our spiritual life should be the overwhelming experience of knowing God's love." |
Sun, 15 September 2013
Fr. Riccardo discusses the parable of the prodigal son (LK 15:1-32) in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John tells the congregation that Jesus is trying to tell us what the Father is like, and encourages the congregants to live their lives with, "an attitude of graditude for all that God has done for us." Fr. John looks at this parable in greater depth in these podcasts (Father or Adversary, The Father). |
Mon, 9 September 2013
While considering the gospel reading from St. Luke (LK 14:25-33), Fr. Riccardo tells the congregation that Jesus is begging us to trust Him, and to surrender our lives to Him. Fr. John reminds the congregation that, "Jesus is the only one who can show us the path that leads to life." |
Fri, 6 September 2013
This is Fr. Riccardo's homily from the Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated at the start of the new school year. |
Sat, 17 August 2013
On the weekend of August 17 and 18, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church welcomed Fr. Tom Hagan, O.S.F.S of Hands Together. Fr. Hagan preached at all Masses about his missionary work with the poor in the Cite Soleil slum in Haiti. You can learn more about Fr. Tom and Hands Together by visiting the website for the organization. |
Thu, 15 August 2013
In this homily for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fr. John looks at Mary as mother. |
Wed, 14 August 2013
On March 9th, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish hosted a men's event for the Archdiocese of Detroit Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. Following the opening Mass celebrated by Archbishop Vigneron, Fr. Riccardo delivered the opening talk titled Tirelessly Running the Race.
Direct download: Tirelessly_Running_the_Race.m4a
Category:Men's Conference 2013 -- posted at: 3:21pm EST |
Wed, 14 August 2013
On March 9th, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish hosted a men's event for the Archdiocese of Detroit Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. This is Archbishop Allen Vigneron's homily from the opening Mass. |
Mon, 12 August 2013
Fr. Riccardo discusses the Alpha program in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. The Alpha program begins at OLGC in September. |
Sat, 3 August 2013
Deacon Don Leach returns to Our Lady of Good Counsel this weekend to update the parish on the bridging relationship between OLGC and St. Aloysius parish in Detroit. |
Sat, 27 July 2013
In this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Fr. Riccardo discusses all of the methods the parish is using to communicate with parishioners. In addition to the parish website, the parish maintains a Facebook page, a YouTube page, a blog page, a Twitter page, and an Instagram page. The parish also has smartphone applications (apps) for both the iOS and Android platforms. |
Sun, 21 July 2013
While discussing the recent Life Teen pilgrimage to Italy and on the readings of this day (GN 18:1-10A, COL 1:24-28, and LK 10:38-42), Fr. Riccardo notes the importance of listening. Fr. John encourages the congregation to bring their apprehensions and concerns to God in silent prayer. |
Sun, 7 July 2013
Fr. Riccardo discusses the upcoming youth pilgrimage to Italy in this homily from the noon Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John details the importance of coming to know the saints and their credible witness to the faith. He reminds the congregation that life makes no sense apart from Christ. |
Sun, 30 June 2013
While reflecting on the readings for this day (1 Kgs 19:16b, 19-21; Gal 5:1, 13-15; and Lk 9:51-62), Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that God made each of us to be happy, and that we must be obedient to God to find true happiness. |
Tue, 25 June 2013
While considering Jesus' question from the gospel (Who do you say that I am?), Fr. Riccardo shares an excerpt from the book At the Origin of the Christian Claim by Fr. Luigi Giussani. Fr. Giussani was an Italian Catholic priest, educator, and founder of the international Catholic movement Communion and Liberation. |
Sun, 9 June 2013
Fr. Riccardo reflects on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which was celebrated this past Friday. Fr. John describes the apparitions received by Sr. Margaret Mary in the 1670s, and asks the congregation, "How are we loving God as a parish and as an individual?" |
Mon, 3 June 2013
On the Feast of Corpus Christi, Fr. Riccardo preached at the 10 AM Mass honoring parish members completing their high school or college studies. Fr. John asked the graduates and all congregants whether they have come to know Jesus. For those students about to depart for college in the fall, Fr. John encouraged them to pray daily, to stay close to Mass, to read His word, and to find some way to serve. Fr. John remarked that true greatness comes from knowing the Lord, from loving Him, and from making Him known to others. |
Sat, 18 May 2013
Fr. Riccardo concludes his series on the teachings of Jesus with regard to sexual morality. Fr. John discusses homosexuality in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. |
Sun, 5 May 2013
Fr. Riccardo continues to preach on the teaching of Jesus with regard to sexual morality in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John discusses the importance of living a virtuous life, with particular emphasis on the virtue of temperance. At the end of the Mass, Fr. John recommended the book Back to Virtue by Peter Kreeft. |
Sat, 27 April 2013
Fr. Riccardo continues to preach on the teaching of Jesus with regard to sexual morality in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John discusses sobering statistics regarding pornography, the ways this industry is harmful to families, and offers pastoral help for those dealing with addictions to pornography. Support groups at Our Lady of Good Counsel include the My House women's group (a confidential group dedicated to help women grieve the losses associated with their spouse's pornography use or other issues of infidelity and sexual indiscretions) and a My House men's support group for men struggling with addictions to pornography. Fr. Riccardo also recommends the Reclaim Sexual Health website, an anonymous online recovery program that helps struggling individuals break free from pornography addiction and other unwanted sexual behaviors. |
Sat, 27 April 2013
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. |
Mon, 22 April 2013
Fr. Riccardo details his plan to spend the next several weeks preaching on the Church's teaching with regard to sexuality. Fr. John reminds the congregation that the Church's moral teaching is based on reason. |
Sun, 14 April 2013
Fr. Riccardo contrasts the recent NCAA basketball championship weekend with John's glimpse of heaven from today's second reading (Rev. 5:11-14). Fr. John asks the congregation to consider what is the appropriate response to a God who has become man and destroyed death? |
Mon, 1 April 2013
In this homily from the Easter Vigil Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr. Riccardo remarks that, "The crisis in the church today is a lack of knowledge of the risen, living Jesus." While addressing the congregation, including a group of 56 people about to enter the church, Fr. John reminds them that they must be conformed to Jesus and that all are sent out to evangelize by telling others about Him. |
Sun, 24 March 2013
Fr. Riccardo offers advice to the congregants on preparing for Holy Week in this Palm Sunday homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel. |
Wed, 20 March 2013
This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Bill and Carol Brewis continue a four-part series on Faith & Forgiveness with this third talk on Moments of Mercy in the Mass. This podcast begins with Fr. Riccardo's homily from the 7 PM Mass which preceded the presentation. |
Wed, 13 March 2013
This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Bill and Carol Brewis continue with the second of a four-part series on Faith & Forgiveness with this talk on The Image of Divine Mercy. |
Mon, 11 March 2013
While addressing a congregation that included the RCIA candidates, Fr. Riccardo asks the congregants, "Are we truly disciples, or are we just going through the motions?" Fr. John discusses on the sacrament of Baptism while reflecting on gospel account of St. John (Jn 9:1-41). |
Sat, 9 March 2013
On March 9th, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish hosted a men's event for the Archdiocese of Detroit Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. Following the opening Mass celebrated by Archbishop Vigneron, Fr. Riccardo delivered the opening talk titled Tirelessly Running the Race.
Direct download: MensConference2013Riccardo.m4a
Category:Men's Conference 2013 -- posted at: 10:43am EST |
Thu, 7 March 2013
This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Bill and Carol Brewis begin a four-part series on Faith & Forgiveness with this talk on The Feast of Mercy. This podcast begins with Fr. Riccardo's homily from the 7 PM Mass which preceded the presentation. |
Sun, 3 March 2013
Fr. Riccardo reflects on the events that happened in the parish during the past week, and in a particular way on events that occurred during the Life Teen retreat that ended earlier in the day. This podcast contains Fr. John's Mass homily, and concludes with the personal testimony of a teen-aged member of the parish Life Teen group. |
Wed, 27 February 2013
The annual parish mission is being held from February 24th to February 27th. Fr. Riccardo is leading this year's mission titled Lord, I Believe, Help My Unbelief (Mk 9:24). This podcast is from the Wednesday evening closing Mass. The podcast contains the opening testimony of Fr. Mateja, Fr. Riccardo's homily, and his closing remarks. |
Tue, 26 February 2013
The annual parish mission is being held from February 24th to February 27th. Fr. Riccardo is leading this year's mission titled Lord, I Believe, Help My Unbelief (Mk 9:24). This podcast is from the Tuesday night session. |
Mon, 25 February 2013
The annual parish mission is being held from February 24th to February 27th. Fr. Riccardo is leading this year's mission titled Lord, I Believe, Help My Unbelief (Mk 9:24). This podcast is from the Monday night session. |
Sun, 24 February 2013
The annual parish mission is being held from February 24th to February 27th. Fr. Riccardo is leading this year's mission titled Lord, I Believe, Help My Unbelief (Mk 9:24). This podcast is from the opening Sunday night session. |
Mon, 11 February 2013
Fr. Riccardo prays the Glorious Mysteries. In 2012, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church prepared an audio CD of meditations and recordings by Fr. John on The Holy Rosary. In thanksgiving for Our Lady's 90+ years of patronage and protection in helping to form us as disciples of her Son, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and Fr. Riccardo will share these meditations in a series of podcasts. |
Mon, 11 February 2013
Fr. Riccardo shares his reflections on the Glorious Mysteries. In 2012, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church prepared an audio CD of meditations and recordings by Fr. John on The Holy Rosary. In thanksgiving for Our Lady's 90+ years of patronage and protection in helping to form us as disciples of her Son, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and Fr. Riccardo will share these meditations in a series of podcasts. |
Mon, 11 February 2013
Fr. Riccardo prays the Sorrowful Mysteries. In 2012, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church prepared an audio CD of meditations and recordings by Fr. John on The Holy Rosary. In thanksgiving for Our Lady's 90+ years of patronage and protection in helping to form us as disciples of her Son, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and Fr. Riccardo will share these meditations in a series of podcasts. |
Mon, 11 February 2013
Fr. Riccardo shares his reflections on the Sorrowful Mysteries. In 2012, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church prepared an audio CD of meditations and recordings by Fr. John on The Holy Rosary. In thanksgiving for Our Lady's 90+ years of patronage and protection in helping to form us as disciples of her Son, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and Fr. Riccardo will share these meditations in a series of podcasts. |
Mon, 11 February 2013
Fr. Riccardo prays the Luminous Mysteries. In 2012, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church prepared an audio CD of meditations and recordings by Fr. John on The Holy Rosary. In thanksgiving for Our Lady's 90+ years of patronage and protection in helping to form us as disciples of her Son, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and Fr. Riccardo will share these meditations in a series of podcasts. |
Mon, 11 February 2013
Fr. Riccardo shares his reflections on the Luminous Mysteries. In 2012, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church prepared an audio CD of meditations and recordings by Fr. John on The Holy Rosary. In thanksgiving for Our Lady's 90+ years of patronage and protection in helping to form us as disciples of her Son, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and Fr. Riccardo will share these meditations in a series of podcasts. |
Mon, 11 February 2013
Fr. Riccardo prays the Joyful Mysteries. In 2012, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church prepared an audio CD of meditations and recordings by Fr. John on The Holy Rosary. In thanksgiving for Our Lady's 90+ years of patronage and protection in helping to form us as disciples of her Son, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and Fr. Riccardo will share these meditations in a series of podcasts. |
Mon, 11 February 2013
Fr. Riccardo shares his reflections on the Joyful Mysteries. In 2012, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church prepared an audio CD of meditations and recordings by Fr. John on The Holy Rosary. In thanksgiving for Our Lady's 90+ years of patronage and protection in helping to form us as disciples of her Son, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and Fr. Riccardo will share these meditations in a series of podcasts. |
Mon, 11 February 2013
Fr. Riccardo shares his reflections on The Holy Rosary in this apologetic. In 2012, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church prepared an audio CD of meditations and recordings by Fr. John on The Holy Rosary. In thanksgiving for Our Lady's 90+ years of patronage and protection in helping to form us as disciples of her Son, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and Fr. Riccardo will share these meditations in a series of podcasts. |
Sun, 10 February 2013
While reflecting on the readings of this day (Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; 1Cor 15:1-11; and Lk 5:1-11), Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation whether Jesus is real or an abstract concept for them. Fr. John encourages them to approach the season of Lent with a sense of purpose and suggests that they spend time each week in prayer, scripture reading, spiritual reading, giving alms, and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliatilon |
Wed, 6 February 2013
This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Catholic apologist Gary Michuta concludes the four-part series on the Pillars of the Catholic Faith with this talk on Christian Prayer and The Our Father. |
Sun, 3 February 2013
Fr. Riccardo reflects on the letter of St. Paul to the community in Corinth in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. While considering the second reading (1 Cor 12:31-13;13) for the fourth Sunday in ordinary time, Fr. John puts St. Paul's letter in its historical context, and discerns the message for Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in 2013. |
Wed, 30 January 2013
This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Fr. Dan Jones takes a look at suffering in this talk titled What Does Our Faith Teach About Suffering? Fr. Jones is a professor of theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. |
Wed, 23 January 2013
This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Catholic apologist Gary Michuta continues the four-part series on the Pillars of the Catholic Faith with this talk on the Commandments and the Beatitudes. |
Sun, 20 January 2013
This weekend, Fr. Riccardo is preaching at all Masses to address the status of the parish's 2020 Vision Campaign. On behalf of the Parish Development Committee, Fr. John delivers an update on the church expansion project and encourages congregants to listen to the podcast of the original town hall meeting from early December. |
Wed, 16 January 2013
This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Fr. Pierre Ingram continues the four-part series on the Pillars of the Catholic Faith with this talk on the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. |
Sun, 13 January 2013
In this homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Fr. Riccardo discusses the sacrament of Baptism. |
Wed, 9 January 2013
This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Fr. Riccardo initiates a four-part series on the Pillars of the Catholic Faith with this talk on January 9th looking at the Cathechism of the Catholic Church. The handouts from this presentation may be downloaded here. |
Tue, 8 January 2013
During the 2011-2012 instructional season, several Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) sessions at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church were recorded by Mr. Henry Root of Revelant Redundancy Recordings. These recordings will be published here for archival and educational purposes. This post concludes the 2011-2012 RCIA series. |
Tue, 8 January 2013
During the 2011-2012 instructional season, several Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) sessions at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church were recorded by Mr. Henry Root of Revelant Redundancy Recordings. These recordings will be published here for archival and educational purposes. |
Tue, 8 January 2013
During the 2011-2012 instructional season, several Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) sessions at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church were recorded by Mr. Henry Root of Revelant Redundancy Recordings. These recordings will be published here for archival and educational purposes. |
Mon, 7 January 2013
In this homily for the Feast of the Epiphany, Fr. Riccardo asks "Have I met Jesus as the Magi did?" Fr. John remarks that Jesus is the truth that can give ultimate meaning to our lives. |
Fri, 4 January 2013
In this homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to try each day to imitate Mary, who provides the perfect example of the response God is seeking from each of us. |