Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

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

Fr. Riccardo discusses the mutual subordination of husband and wife while reflecting on the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Eph 5:21-32) from today's second reading.  Fr. John reminds the congregation that marriage is a sacrament of service, and that husbands and wives will find fulfillment in their selfless service of each other.  Fr. John's dissertation referenced in this homily is available here.

Fr. John continues to reflect on the Bread of Life Discourse (Jn 6:22-59) in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.  Fr. John discusses the longing of all Christians to meet God, and reminds the congregation that proper disposition and a state of grace are needed to encounter God in the Mass.

In this homily for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that Mary shows us how to be attentive to God's voice and obedient to His word.

Fr. John continues to reflect on the Bread of Life Discourse (Jn 6:22-59) in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.  Fr. John remarks that the path to eternal life comes from, "entering into a relationship with Him who is life, who is love, who can't die."  Fr. John invites the congregation to come to know God through weekly participation in Eucharistic Adoration.

Does God have a plan? While considering the scripture readings (Ex 16:2-4, 12-15; Eph 4:17, 20-24; and Jn 6:24-35) of this day, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that God does have a plan for our lives and wants to feed us on our pilgrimage. Fr. John encourages the congregants to come to Sunday Mass regularly, and to attend Mass during the week. He invites all of us to be daily present in front of a crucifix to be reminded of all that God has done for us, to be daily present in His word, and to spend time each week in front of the Lord in the Eucharist.

While considering the Gospel account of St. John (Jn 6:1-15), Fr. Riccardo remarks that the New Testament brings to fulfillment events first described in the Old Testament.  Fr. John reflects on the Passover meal and the Exodus while comparing those events with the Last Supper and the events of Calvary.  Fr. John reminds the congregation that there really is a love that is stronger than death.

Fr. Riccardo discusses sexual morality in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.  On the near occasion of the 44th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's letter Humanae Vitae, Fr. John discusses church teaching on contraception and morality.

While reflecting on the scripture readings (Am 7:12-15, Eph 1:3-14, and Mk 6:7-13) of this day, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that each of us, through our Baptism, is a prophet tasked to speak on God's behalf.  Fr. John encourages the congregants to, "Live your life for the praise and the glory of God in whatever you and I do, and beg the Lord to use us to draw others to Himself."

While reflecting on the readings of this day (Ez 2:2-5, 2 Cor 12:7-10, and Mk 6:1-6), Fr. John reminds the congregation of the important truth found in Paul's letter to the Corinthians that,  "God's power is made perfect in weakness, and His grace is sufficient for everything."

In this homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregants that God has a plan for each of us. While reflecting on the upcoming changes in the parish, Fr. John encourages the parishioners to be open to accepting God's plan for their lives.

Fr. Riccardo discusses faith and obstacles to faith in this homily for Father's Day.

On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Fr. Riccardo addressed a congregation that included a group of recent high school and college graduates from the parish. Fr. John offered his advice to the graduates in this homily from the 10 AM Mass and listed nine habits he considers essential for college students to thrive and be great.

In this homily for The Feast of Pentecost, Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation to consider what difference the Holy Spirit makes in their lives.

In this homily for the Feast of the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Fr. Riccardo urges the congregation to attend the parish ministry fair being held after all of the weekend Masses.  While reflecting on the readings of this day (Acts 1:1-11, Eph. 4:1-13, and Mk. 16:15-20), Fr. John encourages all parishioners consider serving in parish ministry at Our Lady of Good Counsel.

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.