Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

Fr. Riccardo continues a series of homilies on the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John discusses the Sacrament of Holy Orders. 

Fr. Riccardo begins a new series of homilies on the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John discusses how we can meet Jesus in the sacraments and begins the series looking at the Sacrament of Baptism. Fr. John suggests praying with the baptismal promises, which may be found here.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the role of the body when we come to Mass in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John discusses the gestures and postures we use in the celebration of the Mass, with particular emphasis on the sign of the cross and kneeling (or genuflecting).

In this homily for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, Fr. Riccardo discusses his goal for the parish for 2014. Fr. John expresses his desire that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will grow to look more like Mary, the perfect disciple.

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.

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?

Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregants of the reasons they have to hope in God in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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."

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).

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."

This is Fr. Riccardo's homily from the Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated at the start of the new school year.

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.