Catholic Inspiration

"Do you love me?" This is the question that the Lord puts to Peter three times following the resurrection.  It's a good reminder, for in the end our lives are measured by the love - shared and received - that's found in our hearts. June 2, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

The Lord prays for the unity of the disciples, and how pertinent that prayer remains today!  May we work tirelessly to promote our connections and relationships, building up our community at all levels in life. June 1, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci 

Mary and Elizabeth - pregnant with Jesus and John the Baptist - meet and rejoice at the goodness of the Lord.  Both women knew hardship, yet their faith inspires us to see God at work...in good times and in bad. May 31, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Jesus tells his heavenly Father, "I pray for them." His words offer hope: the Lord prays for us!  Our faith, transmitted through time and space from those first disciples, inspires us to pray for one another with the grace and strength of Christ. May 30, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

We say in the creed, "He ascended into Heaven" yet we often do not consider what that means for our lives here on earth: Where are we going? What are we doing? How are we doing it? With Heaven as our home we can evaluate and review our words and actions in preparation for the day when the Lord calls us to follow Him from this world to the next. May 27, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

"Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you" reminds us that our requests are rooted in our relationship with the Lord.  As we grow closer to Christ we change and grow, not only learning what to ask for, but trusting that the one who knows us best will give us what we need. May 27, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

The Lord bluntly teaches that grief is part of our journey of faith, but that it is not the final destination. As we face our challenges today we turn to Jesus Christ for the strength and guidance that will bring us to joy in His kingdom. May 26, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

The first reading offers specific details of location, people and occupation - reminding us that the Lord works through the particular aspects of every human life...including our own! May 25, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

The Lord promises us the Holy Spirit, who will guide us in truth.  What challenges are you facing today?  Call upon the Holy Spirit for the guidance you need! May 24, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Paul and Silas - beaten and imprisoned for their faith - bring people to faith in Philippi.  Their example shows us that God can use our weakness to bring about great deeds. May 23, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

With proper diet and exercise our bodies grow stronger.  Over time what seemed difficult becomes easy through discipline and hard work.  The same is true for our spiritual lives: we grow stronger as we draw near to Christ and grow in his love...thus allowing us to love in difficult and challenging times as we carry out the Lord's command to love as he loves us. May 20, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Chosen by God does not mean that life will be easy; on the contrary, it will be hard!  We know from experience that there are times when we pay the price for doing the right thing, and as we follow Jesus Christ we know that we will meet opposition and difficulty...yet with the Lord's grace we will be given what we need to keep going. May 20, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

Jesus teaches us by his example how to love, and then he commands us to do it - even when it's hard, inconvenient and uncomfortable.  May we call upon his grace for the strength we need to love one another as he loves us! May 19, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Jesus speaks about how love connects us to the Father and flows through us to one another.  This connection reminds us that the love we share draws strength from our relationship to Christ. May 18, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

We draw our life from the Lord, just as fruitful branches draw life from the vine.  May our words and actions today proclaim Christ dwelling within us! May 17, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

We hunger for peace: in our hearts, our homes, our community and in the world.  Where do we find it?  Jesus Christ! May 16, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

We are called to be a "living stone" in the hands of the Lord.  Purchased by the blood of Christ, our lives are precious - worthy not only of redemption but as an offering through which God can transform and create something dynamic and new.  May we offer our lives today and recognize in our sisters and brothers the beauty of their souls. May 13, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Paul & Barnabas faced tremendous challenges, even as they spread the Gospel in amazing ways.  It's a good reminder that we, too, will face adversity as we live our faith in the world today. May 13, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

How often do we let worry and anxiety bring trouble to our hearts?  Yet the words of Jesus in the Gospel today remind us (once again!) that the Lord's grace is greater than the stresses of our lives. May 12, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Paul testifies at Antioch that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation, descendant of David and heralded by the prophets...the Lord of all creation.  And he taught us to serve one another - giving us the example of the foot washing - that we might understand that God's love is comprehensive and accessible to all. May 11, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com