Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

In this homily for the Feast of the Holy Family, Fr. Riccardo discusses the importance of planning.  Fr. John emphasizes the importance of planning to a married life, and encourages the congregation to plan for all areas of their lives in which they wish to thrive.

In this homily from Christmas Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr. Riccardo reflects on gifts and giving. Fr. John ecourages the congregation to set aside time to reflect on the many gifts that God has bestowed on each of us and to give Him thanks.

Fr. Riccardo discusses hell in this homily for the fourth Sunday of Advent. Fr. John is focusing his homilies for the Advent season on the Catholic Church's  teachings on the last things: death, judgment, heaven, hell and purgatory.

Fr. Riccardo discusses heaven in this homily for the third Sunday of Advent. Fr. John is focusing his homilies for the Advent season on the Catholic Church's  teachings on the last things: death, judgment, heaven, hell and purgatory.  While reflecting on the tragic events from Friday in Newtown, Connecticut, Fr. John reminds the congregation that heaven is home, and that we need an eternal perspective with regard to death.

During the 2011-2012 instructional season, several Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) sessions at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church were recorded by Mr. Henry Root of Revelant Redundancy Recordings.  These recordings will be published here for archival and educational purposes.

During the 2011-2012 instructional season, several Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) sessions at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church were recorded by Mr. Henry Root of Revelant Redundancy Recordings.  These recordings will be published here for archival and educational purposes.

During the 2011-2012 instructional season, several Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) sessions at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church were recorded by Mr. Henry Root of Revelant Redundancy Recordings.  These recordings will be published here for archival and educational purposes.

During the 2011-2012 instructional season, several Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) sessions at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church were recorded by Mr. Henry Root of Revelant Redundancy Recordings.  These recordings will be published here for archival and educational purposes.

During the 2011-2012 instructional season, several Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) sessions at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church were recorded by Mr. Henry Root of Revelant Redundancy Recordings.  These recordings will be published here for archival and educational purposes.

During the 2011-2012 instructional season, several Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) sessions at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church were recorded by Mr. Henry Root of Revelant Redundancy Recordings.  These recordings will be published here for archival and educational purposes.

During the 2011-2012 instructional season, several Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) sessions at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church were recorded by Mr. Henry Root of Revelant Redundancy Recordings.  These recordings will be published here for archival and educational purposes.

On November 30th, Our Lady of Good Counsel hosted a town hall meeting to present plans for an expansion project at the church.  This podcast contains the audio recorded at that event.  The podcast is approximately 1:43 minutes in length.  A question and answer session starts at about the 1:17 mark in the timeline.

Fr. Riccardo discusses death in this homily for the first Sunday of Advent. Fr. John is focusing his homilies for the Advent season on the Catholic Church's  teachings on the last things: death, judgment, heaven, hell and purgatory.

This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Fr. Riccardo concludes the three-part series on Vatican II with this talk from November 28th titled What About Them: Are They Going to Heaven Too?. The handouts from this session are available here.

On November 20th, Fr. Riccardo presided at a memorial Mass for parents who have experienced the painful loss of a young child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or other traumatic events.  This is a podcast of the audio from that Mass with minimal edits.  It is presented here in an effort to offer consolation to parents everywhere who have experienced such a loss, with our prayer that Our Lady of Good Counsel will comfort you in your sorrow.  The parish community thanks vocalist Matt Greenough and our music directory, Matthew Samelak, for their assistance with this liturgy.

Fr. Riccardo reflects on judgment day in this homily from the 10 AM Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Fr. Steve Mateja discusses the November election with this talk on Where Do We Go From Here as a People of God?

While reflecting on the gospel reading from St. Mark (Mk 12:28b-34), Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that every Sunday is a holy day of obligation.  Fr. John  encourages the congregation to come to Mass ready to engage the Lord with a disposition that wants to be in communion with God and ready to hear His word to us.

This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Fr. Riccardo continues the three-part Series on Prayer with this talk from October 24th. The handouts from this session are available here.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the state of the parish in this homily from the 4 PM Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Fr. Riccardo continues the three-part Series on Prayer with this talk from October 10th. A list of Fr. John's questions for reflection from this presentation may be downloaded here.

Fr. Riccardo introduces and welcomes Monsignor John Baptist Ssebayigga from our sister parish of St. Kizito in Kampala, Uganda. Monsignor John discusses the parish of St. Kizito and the history of the relationship between St. Kizito and Our Lady of Good Counsel. The parish community of Our Lady of Good Counsel extends a warm welcome to Monsignor John on the occasion of his visit.

This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” Fr. Riccardo begins a three-part Series on Prayer with this talk from October 3rd. The handouts from this session are available here.

While reflecting on the gospel reading from St. Mark (Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48), Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that, "The key to a great life is to have great habits." Fr. John asks the congregants to consider whether they are using God's great gift of their senses in the way He intended.

This year the Church celebrates the Year of Faith, giving us the opportunity to answer the question Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” In essence this is the question of faith. Answering this requires taking an in-depth look at what we believe about God, the Church and her teachings. This is the audio from Fr. Riccardo's opening introductory session which lays the foundation for the events planned at Our Lady of Good Counsel. The video clip that was viewed at the beginning of the talk may be found on YouTube. Fr. John's handouts for this session are available here.

While reflecting on the readings of this day (Wis 2:12, 17-20; Jas 3:16-4:3; and Mk 9:30-37) and on his personal life experiences, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that Christian life is about establishing great habits.  Fr. John encourages the congregants to pray daily, to read God's word, and to be faithful to the sacraments.  Fr. John also recommends a nightly examination of conscience.

While considering the readings for this day (Is 35:4-7a, Jas 2:1-5, and Mk 7:31-37), Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation to keep their eyes on God. Fr. John encourages each congregant to spend time in prayer this week with the reading from Isaiah while looking at the cross of Christ.

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.

In this homily for Divine Mercy Sunday, Fr. Riccardo focuses on forgiveness.  Fr. John tells the congregation that they will come to know God's mercy and His peace by forgiving others.

Fr. Riccardo addresses the congregation of Our Lady of Good Counsel Roman Catholic Church in this homily from the Easter Vigil Mass.

In this homily for Holy Thursday, Fr. Riccardo discusses the meaning of triduum.  Fr. John asks the congregants to pray for the parish priests, and for all priests, that they will conform their lives to the example of Jesus.  Father discusses the extraordinary gift of the Eucharist, and exhorts the congregation to pray while reflecting on Christ's passion and asking God for direction.

In this homily for Palm Sunday, Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregants to unite their personal suffering with the suffering of Jesus on the cross.  Fr. John tells us to expect great things to happen during Holy Week.

While continuing to discuss the cost and rewards of discipleship, Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation, "Are you and I unashamed disciples of Jesus?"  Fr. John recommends that the congregants watch or listen to Cardinal Dolan's recent keynote address at the Rockville Centre 2012 Public Policy Convocation and read Archbishop Chaput's book Render Unto Caesar.

While reflecting on the gospel account of the transfiguration of Christ (Mk 9:2-10), Fr. Riccardo discusses the cost and rewards of discipleship.

The annual parish mission is being held from February 26th to February 29th.  Fr. Michael Fones, O.P., is leading this year's mission titled Put Out Into the Deep.  This podcast is from the Wednesday evening closing Mass.  The podcast contains the opening testimony, Fr. Fones homily, and closing remarks by Fr. Riccardo and Fr. Fones.

The annual parish mission is being held from February 26th to February 29th.  Fr. Michael Fones, O.P., is leading this year's mission titled Put Out Into the Deep.  This podcast is from the Tuesday night session.

The annual parish mission is being held from February 26th to February 29th.  Fr. Michael Fones, O.P., is leading this year's mission titled Put Out Into the Deep.  This podcast is from the Monday night session.

The annual parish mission is being held from February 26th to February 29th.  Fr. Michael Fones, O.P., is leading this year's mission titled Put Out Into the Deep.  This podcast is from the Sunday night session.

The annual parish mission is being held from February 26th to February 29th.  Fr. Michael Fones, O.P., is leading this year's mission titled Put Out Into the Deep.  This is Fr. Fones homily from the 5 PM Mass prior to the start of the mission.

While considering the gospel reading from St. Mark (Mk 2:1-12), Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation to bring their concerns and prayer intentions to the altar of the Lord at the offeratory.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the recent health care mandate from the Department of Health and Human Services.  Fr. John shares a letter from Most Rev. Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing, posted on the diocesan website.  Fr. John encourages the congregation to vist the Michigan Catholc Conference website and the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website to learn about this issue.  He also aks the parishioners to set aside Presidents' Day, February 20th, as a day of prayer and fasting as a parish family for our country and our leaders.

Fr. Riccardo reflects on the sacrament of marriage in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.  While focusing on today's second reading from St. Paul (1 Cor 7:32-35), Fr. John remarks that marriage is a special charism given by God to a couple for a public purpose.

Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that we are all called to be prophets.  While reflecting on the message of repentance from today's readings (Jon 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20), Fr. John encourages the congregation to speak on God's behalf with courage and charity on the major moral issues that confront us.

Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to spend time in prayful reflection with one line from this week's readings.  The readings for this Sunday are 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; and Jn 1:35-42.

In this homily for The Feast of the Epiphany, Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation whether Jesus is the star that guides their lives. The readings for this day are Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; and Mt 2:1-12.

In this homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Fr. Riccardo considers the life of Mary, and encourages the congregation to begin each day in the new year with silent reflection and prayer, considering all that God has done for us.