Catholic Inspiration

Like a gentle rain that nourishes and renews the earth, the Holy Spirit comes upon the world to bring life.  The power of the Holy Spirit showers graces into our hearts with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.  This happens in two profound ways: As individuals we are uniquely blessed with our gifts and talents As community we unite and support each other A simple diagnostic tool:  where do I see unity in my life?  Where unity is present, we can build and grow stronger with the Spirit's power.  Where it is absent, we have the opportunity to call upon the Spirit for healing and transformation.  Either way, come Holy Spirit! May 23, 2015 - St. William Church - Foxboro, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.  

Change and transition are part of human life as seen in graduations, new jobs, relationships, and situations.  Like the Apostles on this feast, we can face our changes by keeping in mind three basic concepts: Observation - looking & listening to our new reality Reflection - by ourselves, with others & God's guidance Application - putting our thoughts into action As the Apostles embraced their transitions the Holy Spirit empowered them to change the world.  May we continue to open our hearts to the Spirit and face the changes that come before us. May 16, 2015 - St. William Church - Foxboro, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Just as a passport is essential for travel on earth, so Christ's commandment to love is essential for our travel to Heaven.  Consider these similarities: Shows our Country of Origin Serves as identification Reveals our travel history Necessary to come home May 10, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Like branches on a grape vine, we are dependent on Jesus for grace and strength.  Yet when we are connected to the Lord we are able to bear fruit that touches hearts and changes lives.  May 3, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

May we stay connected to the Holy Spirit to empower our lives, as we uniquely and personally share the gifts and blessings we have received with one another! May 1, 2015 - St. Francis Xavier Church - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

How do we face rejection?  How do we confront the obstacles and roadblocks that are part of life?  Two key points surface: Strength Wisdom May we call upon the Lord for what we need - regardless of our vocation in life - to find our way! April 26, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.  

What is the script of my thoughts, words, and actions?  If I were to write down what I think, speak, and do would it point to Christ?  Would it even include Jesus? We are witnesses for the Lord, and as his disciples we can make changes in our lives - changing the script - so that grace of Christ renews and strengthens our lives. April 18, 2015 - St. William Church - Foxboro, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Working together demands effort, cooperation, collaboration, and dedicated people who are committed to each other.  While never easy, the early Church showed the power of unity as they gathered in "one heart and mind" to proclaim the Good News.  Three things can help us live this "blue collar cousin" to Christian love: Our Part - removing obstacles and building bridges in our relationships Their Part - helping and empowering others when they come to us God's Part - the grace of Christ to unite and strengthen us, even when we are weak April 12, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

How do we make our personal prayer real?  This homily podcast highlights practical tips that bring power and meaning to our personal prayer.  April 11, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Their lives were changed; the sorrow cast from the shadow of the Cross is now transformed by resurrection glory...He's alive!  The grace of Jesus Christ inspired the disciples to go out to the world - carrying their crosses - with the power the Lord's triumph.   Christ brings this transformation to us today; his power continues to work in the world.  May we open our hearts to the resurrection...and be transformed! April 5, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

The Cross of Christ - ugly, filthy with the blood of countless victims, jagged, and splintered - becomes the sign of the depth and breadth of agony Jesus endured.  As he embraces his suffering, the Cross becomes a bridge whereby he unites with all humanity, meeting us in our most profound moments of weakness and sin, and gives us hope through his triumph over death. We must understand the Cross in the light of Easter joy: For if we only focus on the Cross then we have no hope; life becomes dark and filled with despair. And if we only focus on Easter joy then we have no respect for the gift of the Lord's Passion; we do not appreciate the price that was paid for our salvation. We look to the Cross and allow Christ's Passion to touch our lives.  We unite with Jesus and give grateful thanks that he has redeemed us in every aspect of our lives. Come to the Cross and unite your heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. Be redeemed by Love Himself, who gave his life to save and set us free. April 3, 2015 - Cathed

At the Last Supper Jesus teaches and commands his disciples: Receive his Body & Blood Give your life in service to others In our reception of Holy Communion may we be strengthened and renewed to offer our lives, following the example of Christ. April 2, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts, go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Christ comes to Jerusalem - knowing that he will suffer and die - that through his Cross and Resurrection we might be saved from sin and death.  Like a firefighter, he approaches the fire to rescue us.  He invites us to take his hand, that he might lead us into a freedom of faith and eternal life. Our invitation is to let go of the sins and hurts that have bound us; to unclench our hands from past injuries and allow his saving grace to set us free. March 29, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

This is the 4th of four presentations given at a Parish Mission on March 9-12, 2015 for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona. The power of the Resurrection and subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit transforms the disciples - they have encountered the Risen Lord and no longer fear sin and death.  Rather, they engage the world with Good News and share the gift of their lives with power and joy.  This transformation must always be understood through the double lens of the Cross/Resurrection; only with a clear understanding of the sacrifice of Christ can we begin to truly appreciate the gift of Eternal Life.  Two key concepts surface: Strength Sunrise...of Hope! Our STRENGTH comes from the Lord.  Through our daily encounter with Christ through prayer and sacrament we our empowered to choose our attitude and seek opportunities to live our faith in the unique and precious moments of each day. Furthermore, the Good News of Christ leads to a SUNRISE of HOPE.  We recognize that our pers

This is the 3rd of four presentations given at a Parish Mission on March 9-12, 2015 for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona. Carrying his Cross for the salvation of the world, the Lord reveals two key insights for Christians: Sacrifice Support SACRIFICE - giving up something for the sake of something more important - becomes self evident as the Lord offers his life as a perfect offering.  Innocent and without sin, he takes our place and helps us to recognize our own sacrifices as a participation in his Cross. SUPPORT appears when we look at two familiar figures in the Stations of the Cross - Simon of Cyrene and Veronica.  We read about Simon in the Scriptures, and Veronica has been a part of the tradition of this devotional prayer for centuries; both of them show that even the smallest of actions proclaims the value of human life in our relationships with one another.  Running toward suffering and sacrifice, we can (like a Firefighter) be agents in great and small ways for compas

This is the 2nd of four presentations given at a Parish Mission on March 9-12, 2015 for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona. At the Last Supper on the night before he died, the Lord Jesus imparted two key commands that he gave to his disciples: Service Sacrament In SERVICE the Lord taught with through his example of washing the disciples' feet.  Found in John 13:1-15, Christ shows his disciples in a clear and direct way that following Jesus demands a call to serve one another.  Service is the path that invites us to give our lives, sharing the unique skills, resources, experiences, and talents we have for the good of others. In SACRAMENT the Lord defined the bread and wine as his body and blood.  In addition to the Institution of the Eucharist found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke - St. Paul writes of this in 1st Corinthians 11:23-26.  Jesus teaches his disciples about his Body & Blood, and then commands his follower. March 10, 2015 - Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church - Green

This is the 1st of four presentations given at a Parish Mission on March 9-12, 2015 for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona. This presentation sets the stage of Holy Week by discussing several key points: Passover - the feast celebrating the deliverance of the people of Israel from their bondage in Egypt Sabbath - the "7th Day" of the week (Saturday) which is dedicated to the Lord, beginning on sundown on Friday and running through sundown on Saturday Temple - the great structure, a holy place sacred to the Jews but also a lightning rod for political unrest against foreign rule Roman Empire - controlling the unstable region for its strategic position in commerce and military rule, constantly on the watch for rebellion and instability Jesus of Nazareth - the great teacher, healer, and prophet - the Son of God who initiates the encounter, knows what will happen, and embraces his mission (like a firefighter who runs toward the danger, not away) March 9, 2015 - Our Lady of the Valley

Live is precious and sacred - a gift from God that can invite us to consider two points: How am I using the unique talents and gifts I have been given? How am I cultivating a healthy life - taking care of what God has given me? Jesus Christ values our lives; he paid for them with his blood on the Cross.  May we cherish and live this precious gift with faith, hope, and love! March 22, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

The Cathedral hosted the Youth Rally on March 18, 2015.  This homily was given to the 400+  youth who came together for adoration, a keynote talk from Joel Stepanek, and Mass. Keep praying for our youth that the Lord will touch and bless their lives with grace, wisdom, and strength! March 18, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

This is the 3rd of four presentations given at a Parish Mission on March 9-12, 2015 for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona. Carrying his Cross for the salvation of the world, the Lord reveals two key insights for Christians: Sacrifice Support SACRIFICE - giving up something for the sake of something more important - becomes self evident as the Lord offers his life as a perfect offering.  Innocent and without sin, he takes our place and helps us to recognize our own sacrifices as a participation in his Cross. SUPPORT appears when we look at two familiar figures in the Stations of the Cross - Simon of Cyrene and Veronica.  We read about Simon in the Scriptures, and Veronica has been a part of the tradition of this devotional prayer for centuries; both of them show that even the smallest of actions proclaims the value of human life in our relationships with one another.  Running toward suffering and sacrifice, we can (like a Firefighter) be agents in great and small ways for co