Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

Fr. Riccardo tells the congregation that Jesus was sent to fight for us because we matter to God in this Christmas homily from the Midnight Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John describes scenes from the critically acclaimed movie Hacksaw Ridge while letting the congregants know that the Lord has come to pick us up and carry us to safety. He encourages the congregants to go out and get those who do not see.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the importance of prayer to our growth as mature disciples of Christ in this homily from the noon Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John encourages the congregants to get into the habit of praying daily. He remarks that for a mature relationship with God we need to listen, ask, repent, thank, and praise Him. Fr. John suggests beginning and ending each day in prayer using the psalms to praise God for who He is.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the Rerouting series that will begin at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church beginning in January. In this homily for the Feast to the Immaculate Conception, Fr. John examines the importance of understanding scripture in a new way, particularly Genesis 1 to 3. By learning to read the scriptures properly, we can find the answers to the questions in our lives that ultimately matter.

Fr. Riccardo discusses why bearing witness to Christ is so important and urgent in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John looks at the witness given by Fr. Sixtus O'Connor to imprisoned Nazis awaiting trial at Nuremberg after World War II while remarking that our personal witness can lead to the salvation of others. Fr. John points out that, "Only Jesus can turn hostility and disunity and enmity to unity and brotherhood and family."

This is Fr. Riccardo's homily from the evening Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church for The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.

While celebrating Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints, Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregants to learn about particular heroic men and women in the history of the church, and to tell their stories to our children and grandchildren so that we all can be  roused to be great.

Fr. Riccardo discusses his recent pilgrimage to Poland, abortion, and the upcoming presidential election in this homily from the Wednesday evening Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

Fr. Riccardo preached at all of the weekend Masses this past weekend as the parish pastoral staff continued a series of reflections to lay the groundwork for the building of a missionary parish. This week, Fr. John looked at faith as a building block while asking what it means to believe.

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

Fr. Riccardo looks at the challenging words of Jesus from today's gospel (LK 14:25-33) while discussing the requirements of discipleship. Fr. John asks the congregants, "Do we live for ourselves or for Him first?"

While reflecting on the scripture readings of this day (WIS 18:6-9; HEB 11:1-2, 8-19; and LK 12:32-48), Fr. Riccardo tells the congregation that faith is a gift from God that enables us to know things that we otherwise cannot know. Fr. John discusses the adversary who tries to keep us from our destiny, and proposes the recitation of the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel at the end of each Mass.

Fr. Riccardo reflects on the words of Presidents John Adams, James Madison, and Abraham Lincoln as well as on a promise from God while offering a proposal to the parish community of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Fr. John points out that the only remedy for what ails our nation is to turn to God with fasting, repentance, and prayer. Fr. John proposes that for the remainder of the calendar year we fast each Wednesday as a parish family, gather to pray the rosary at 6 PM in the church, and then break the fast with reception of the Holy Eucharist during the evening Mass

The world-famous International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima was present at Our Lady of Good Counsel on July 27th for public veneration as part of a 21-month journey across America honoring the 100th Anniversary of the apparitions at Fatima. OLGC was pleased to have Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme, head of the Diocese of Maiduguri in Nigeria's Borno State, present to celebrate the evening Mass. In this homily, Bishop Doeme tells the congregation how his diocese has overcome many obstacles to faith by their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the reasons why we have statues, images, and relics in our church in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John reminds the congregants that we experience reality through our senses, and in particular through sight. Fr. John discusses the recent addition to the church of a relic from St. Maximilian Kolbe, and reflects on the gospel account of the Good Samaritan (COL 1:15-20), while offering the congregants a suggestion of four simple ways to practice love in our daily life.

Fr. Riccardo discusses reasons why catholics do not evangelize in this homily from the 8 AM Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

Fr. Riccardo preached at the 10 AM Mass honoring parish members completing their high school or college studies. Fr. John tells the congregants that the front door of God's house is always open. We can always come home to Him. Fr. John discusses the history of King David and Uriah (2 SM 11 & 12) while reminding the congregation that forgiveness is available through the sacrament of reconciliation, and that His mercy endures forever.

Fr. Riccardo addresses the eighth grade graduating class of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School in this homily from the 2016 Graduation Mass.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the encounters with God found in the readings for this day, particularly St. Paul's encounter with with Jesus on his way to Damascus (GAL 1:11-19) and Jesus' encounter with the widow in Nain (LK 7:11-17). Fr. John tells the congregation that God will break into our lives if we are attentive, and respond to Him with faith.

Fr. Riccardo discusses why we are obliged to go to Mass each Sunday in this homily for The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Fr. John looks at the reasons we should be thankful for all that God has done for us and reminds the congregants that our souls become weak without the nourishment of the Eucharist, God's gift of himself to us.

Fr. Riccardo discusses an icon of the Holy Trinity (viewable here) in this homily for The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Fr. John discusses the stewardship needs of the parish for the coming year and reflects on the mission of the parish to offer everyone in our community a life changing encounter with Jesus. Fr. John asks the congregation to consider what would be a reasonable, mature response to what God has done for our salvation.

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.

In this homily for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, Fr. Riccardo discusses the launch of a pilot program for discipleship groups at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish.