Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

Each year Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School celebrates 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.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish hosted a town hall meeting at the church on May 18th to update parishioners on everything that has happened at the parish during the past year and to inform them of future plans for the coming year.

The funeral liturgy for Peter D. Riccardo, the brother of Fr. John Riccardo, was celebrated at Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Waterford, Michigan. This podcast contains Fr. Riccardo's homily and the final commendation. Fr. John and the entire Riccardo family are most appreciative of all of the prayers offered in support of the family at this time of sorrow.

Fr. Riccardo discusses forgiveness while asking the congregants whether they are recipients or givers of mercy. Fr. John looks at the lives of St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Paul, and the Coptic Christian martyrs while challenging the congregation to become missionaries of God's mercy.

While discussing Jesus' conversation with St. Peter around the charcoal fire (JN 21:1-19), Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregants that God loves to forgive. Fr. John encourages all to seek forgiveness for the "charcoal fires" in our lives in the sacrament of reconciliation, and to extend God's mercy to others.

In this homily from the Easter Vigil Mass, Fr. Riccardo considers the scripture readings of this day and what they mean to the candidates who were about to be baptized as well as the entire congregation. Fr. John encourages the congregants to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as we are no longer slaves to sin and death.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the greatness of God in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. While encouraging the congregants to view a video from Pastor Louie Giglio of Passion City Church, Fr. John ponders the vastness of the universe and the fact that its creator got on His knees to wash the feet of his disciples and allowed himself to be condemned to death on a cross for our salvation. Fr. John encourages the congregants to enter into Holy Week with the understanding that we have access to God all the time, and that we can approach Him without fear or anxiety.

The 2016 Parish Mission titled Today Salvation Has Come to This House continued with this talk by Fr. Riccardo. Fr. John asks, "Will we let Him use us as vessels of mercy?"

The 2016 Parish Mission titled Today Salvation Has Come to This House continued with this talk by Fr. Riccardo. Fr. John asks, "What is your deepest desire for your children or for your grandchildren?"

The 2016 Parish Mission titled Today Salvation Has Come to This House opened with this talk by Fr. Riccardo.

The funeral liturgy for John J. Riccardo, the father of Fr. John Riccardo, was celebrated at Holy Name Catholic Church in Birmingham, Michigan. This podcast contains excerpts from the introductory rites, Fr. Riccardo's homily, and excerpts from the final commendation. Fr. John and the entire Riccardo family are most appreciative of all of the prayers offered for his father and in support of the family. 

Fr. Riccardo offers a moving tribute to his father, John J. Riccardo, in this homily first preached on Father's Day (June 15, 2008). It is republished here to honor the life of this disciple of Christ.

In 2007, Fr. Riccardo and his father each delivered keynote addresses for the Archdiocese of Detroit Put Out Into the Deep Men's Conference. Mr. John Riccardo's address titled Courage Under Fire is republished here in tribute.

In 2007, Fr. Riccardo and his father each delivered keynote addresses for the Archdiocese of Detroit Put Out Into the Deep Men's Conference. Fr. Riccardo's address titled Urgent Need: Men with the Courage to let the Light Shine is republished here to honor his father, John J. Riccardo.

Fr. Riccardo's father, John J. Riccardo, was called to receive his heavenly reward on February 13th. Fr. John offers a tribute to his father in this homily from the 8 AM Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the importance of knowing our story in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. While detailing a preaching schedule for the season of lent, Fr. John reminds the congregants that we have been saved from slavery to the devil by the outstretched arms of Christ on the cross. He reminds the congregation that we need to know the story of both our fall and salvation for things to make sense.

While considering the second reading for this day from St. Paul (1 COR 12:31—13:13), Fr. Riccardo discusses the importance of learning how to forgive on another.

Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregants that God is rich in mercy while encouraging them to return to the sacrament of reconciliation in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John tells the audience what he observed as our young second grade children received the sacrament for the first time this weekend, and offers a special opportunity for parishioners who have been away from the sacrament for some time to come and experience God's abundant mercy.

In this homily for The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Fr. Riccardo asks the congregants "What have you come here tonight to do?" Fr. John looks at church teachings from Vatican II that tell us that we should not be at Mass as strangers or silent spectators. Fr. John proposes that each participant in the Mass work together to offer the sacrifice of the Mass for the intentions of those sitting nearby.

Fr. Riccardo looks at scripture and recorded history while considering the question, "Is all of this just a story?" Fr. John considers the Magi, King Herod, and the appearance of a star as historical events that tell the story of His great love for us. Fr. John also proposes that parents take a look at some resources for parents and children to use in preparation for Mass and to encourage faith-based conversation at the dinner table.