Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

Fr. Riccardo offers his advice on winning the game of life in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John addressed a congregation at the 10 a.m. Mass that included several hundred student athletes and their coaches who participate on various Catholic Youth Organization athletic teams.

In this homily from the 10 AM mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Fr. Riccardo describes his relationship with Angelo, a homeless man who Fr. John befriended while studying as a seminarian in Rome. Fr. John invites the congregation to consider getting involved in one of the many parish ministries with sister communities in Detroit, El Salvador, Uganda, and India.

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

Fr. Riccardo shares his thoughts on a Wall Street Journal article titled Man vs. God in this homily from the 4 PM mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel. The Wall Street Journal article is available here.

While reflecting on the Scripture readings of the day, Fr. Riccardo discusses the gift of speech. Fr. John offers the congregation constructive ways to use this gift.

While reflecting on the scripture readings, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that the Eucharist is given to us as a source of unimaginable strength, particularly for the many times when we find ourselves in situations beyond our own power.

While discussing the gospel reading from John, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that God accompanies us everyday on our journey through life.

Fr. Riccardo discusses religious vocations in this homily from the 8 AM mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John presents Katie Renfer with his rosary as she prepares to enter religious life, and he reminds the congregation that we are all called to strive in everything we do to glorify God.

In this homily from the 8 AM mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr. Riccardo offers a lesson in apologetics to reconcile the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church that Mary remained a virgin and had no other children besides Jesus with the gospel reading from Mark which refers to the brothers and sisters of Jesus. Fr. John encourages the congregation to seek guidance from the parish priests when they have questions about their faith.

This is Fr. Riccardo's homily from the 8th grade graduation mass for Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School.

On the Feast of Corpus Christi, Fr. Riccardo asks, "What is the Eucharist?" In this homily from the 10 AM mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr. John asks the congregation to ponder, "Why does Jesus give Himself to us?" Fr. John goes on to challenge the congregation to respond to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist by striving to do everything we do to honor Him.

In this homily from the 10 AM mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Fr. Riccardo discusses the gestures and symbols of our faith.  On the Solemnity of Pentecost, Fr. John places particular emphasis on the meaning and symbolism of the paschal candle and encourages the congregation to let the light of His spirit burn brightly within us.

In this homily from the 10 AM mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to witness their faith by living a life of peace in the midst of uncertainty.

On May 19th, Fr. Riccardo spoke to the Men's Fellowship Group of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish concerning the faith challenges that young men and women face during their college years. In this talk titled Faith Under Attack, Fr. John offers his insights on keeping the faith while in college.

In this homily for Mothers' Day, Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to persevere in love of God just as a mother shows steadfast perseverance in the love of her children.

While reflecting on today's scripture readings, Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation, "Do you know who you are?"

In this homily from the 10 AM mass, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that God is merciful. He encourages the congregation to trust in His forgiveness and to take time today to praise God for all that he has done for us.

Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that the events of Holy Week are all real. In this homily from the Easter Vigil Mass, Fr. John encourages us to make a real response to the resurrection of Jesus.

Fr. Riccardo offers the congregation tangible suggestions in preparation for Holy Week in this homily for Palm Sunday.

Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to extend mercy to one another in this homily from the 8 AM mass.