Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

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 reflects on his recent visit to preach at Kensington Church in Troy while discussing our expectations for Mass.  Fr. John suggests to the congregation that they bring their bibles to Mass, along with a journal and a pen.  Fr. John encourages them to read His word, and to expect to hear God's voice.

On the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Fr. Riccardo addressed a congregation that included a group of recent high school and college graduates from the parish. Fr. John offers his advice to the graduates in this homily from the 10 AM Mass. The readings for this day are Acts 1:1-11, Eph 1:17-23, and Mt 28:16-20.

While reflecting on the readings for this day (Acts 8:5-8 and 14-17, 1 Pt 3:15-18, Jn 14:15-21), Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation whether they know and love God. Father John discusses Psalm 23 and its implications for our lives. He reminds us that the Holy Spirit can make known the Father, and will answer our cries in times on need.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the role of parents as the primary educators of their children in the ways of faith in this homily for Mother's Day. Fr. John recounts his own mother's journey to the realization of the truth of the resurrection while encouraging parents to model the faith for their children.  The readings for this day are: Acts 2:14, 22-23; 1 Pt 1:17-21; and Lk 24:13-35.

In this homily for the Feast of Divine Mercy, Fr. Riccardo discusses the origin of the feast day and reminds the congregation that God is rich in mercy and loves to forgive.  Fr. John cites Blessed John Paul II and Mary as icons of forgiveness, and exorts the congregation to show mercy and forgiveness to others.

In this homiy from the Easter Vigil Mass, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that God has acted on our behalf.  Fr. John remarks that God has become man to fight for us against Satan, sin, and death and has destroyed these three tyrannical regimes through Christ's death on the cross and resurrection.

Fr. Riccardo offers suggestions for Holy Week in this Palm Sunday homily.

While reflecting on St. John's gospel account (Jn 11:1-45) of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that nothing is impossible for Jesus.

While addressing a congregation that includes candidates in the RCIA program, Fr. Riccardo discusses the sacrament of baptism.  Fr. John reminds the audience that baptism opens our eyes and gives us, through faith, a way of knowing the truth about Jesus.  The readings for this day are 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Eph 5:8-14; and Jn 9:1-41.  

While reflecting on the scripture readings of the day (Ex 17:3-7, Rom 5:1-2, 5-8, Jn 4:5-42), Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation, "How do we quench God's thirst?" 

While reflecting on the gospel account of St. Matthew (Mt 17:1-9) of the Transfiguration of Jesus, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that Jesus redeemed the world by His cross and resurrection, and that God is weaving something beautiful out of all of our suffering.

From Sunday, March 13th, through Wednesday, March 16th, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish is conducting a parish mission titled Do This in Remembrance of Me. Fr. Riccardo is presenting evening sessions each night beginning at 7 PM. This is Fr. John's homily from the Wednesday evening concluding Mass.

From Sunday, March 13th, through Wednesday, March 16th, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish is conducting a parish mission titled Do This in Remembrance of Me. Fr. Riccardo is presenting evening sessions each night beginning at 7 PM. This is Fr. John's presentation from the Tuesday evening session. His handouts for this session are available for download.

From Sunday, March 13th, through Wednesday, March 16th, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish is conducting a parish mission titled Do This in Remembrance of Me. Fr. Riccardo is presenting evening sessions each night beginning at 7 PM. This is Fr. John's presentation from the Monday evening session.

From Sunday, March 13th, through Wednesday, March 16th, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish is conducting a parish mission titled Do This in Remembrance of Me. Fr. Riccardo is presenting evening sessions each night beginning at 7 PM. This is Fr. John's presentation from the Sunday evening session. His bibliography for the parish mission is available for download.

While addressing a congregation that includes participants in the parish's CYO program, Fr. Riccardo reminds the audience that Jesus has come to give the definitive response to the lies and accusations of Satan.  While reflecting on the readings (Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7, Rom 5:12-19, Mt 4:1-11) of the day, Fr. John remarks, "For in His cross, Jesus shows us beyond a doubt that God is good, that He is kind, that He is merciful, that He is very patient, that He does care, and that He loves us." 

While reflecting on the gospel reading from St. Matthew (Mt 7:21-27), Fr. Riccardo discusses what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Fr. John reminds the congregation that to be a disciple one must surrender their life to God.

From September 2010 through March 2011, Fr. Riccardo is presenting a series of talks on The Theology of the Body, a series of lectures given by Pope John Paul II during his Wednesday audiences between 1979 and 1984. This podcast is from Fr. John's talk on March 2nd. A handout for this presentation is available for download.  Fr. Riccardo refers to articles published by E. Christian Brugger of the Culture of Life Foundation. These articles are available here and here. 

This is Fr. Riccardo's homily from the 2011 Catholic Schools Week Mass.