Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

Fr. John Riccardo introduces the new ACTS XXIX podcast, "You Were Born for This with Father John Riccardo."

Fr. Riccardo shares his final words for the parish in this final homily as the pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. As he transitions to his new role as Executive Director of Acts XXIX, Fr. John offers words of praise, words of apology, words of thanks, and concludes with a final appeal to the parishioners of OLGC.

Fr. Riccardo addresses the eighth grade graduating class of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School in this homily from the 2019 Graduation Mass telling the students that greatness in within the reach of each of them.

Fr. Riccardo preached at all of the masses at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church this past weekend. In this homily from the noon Mass, Fr. Riccardo reflects on the travels of St. Paul as described in the first reading for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (ACTS 14:21-27). Fr. John concludes by encouraging the young married couples and young families of the parish to take up the baton of leadership in the church and in this parish. Fr. John points out, "God is calling you to step up and to step forward and to use all the gifts that He has so generously entrusted to you for one purpose – so God can get his world back."

Fr. Prentice Tipton preached at all of the weekend masses at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church this past weekend. In this homily from the 5 PM Mass, Fr. Prentice looks at the conversation between Jesus and Peter by the charcoal fire in today's gospel (JN 21:1-19). Fr. Prentice asks the congregants whether we have given up on God's vision for our lives and settled for simply being Simon. Have we given up on being Peter?

Deacon Steve Mitchell preached at all of the weekend masses at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church for Feast of Divine Mercy. In this Divine Mercy Mass from Sunday at 3 PM, Deacon Steve tells the congregants that a life marked by the empty tomb is one spent looking up at the cross and not back at our past. Focusing on the right image, listening to the right words - the ones Jesus speaks over us versus what the devil says about us - shapes our lives.

The deceiver is deceived, his dominion is destroyed, and you and I have been sent out as witnesses. Fr. Riccardo discusses the sheer power of God while referencing a second century homily from Bishop Melito of Turkey and addressing the congregation that included some 34 people about to receive the Sacraments of Baptism and/or Confirmation. Fr. John discusses the freedom given to the baptized as their sins are washed away and they are given new power with authority over their lives. He also discusses what it means to be sent out. When we have been rescued by Jesus we are sent to rescue others by telling them about Him. Our joy should be uncontainable, and our response should be to worship God for what He has done for us.  

Fr. Riccardo describes three messages God gives to us as we contemplate the crucifixion of Jesus today. For those who suffer, Jesus proves his love for us in choosing to die for our salvation. For those who feel unworthy, Jesus chose to die for all. His mercy is for every person. For those who see the crucifixion as a symbol of weakness or defeat, Jesus chose this way to defeat Satan and to conquer death.

In this homily from the Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper Fr. Riccardo discusses two recent articles published by Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom. Fr. John points out that America and the world have no hope without God and his saving power and love. He concludes by telling the congregants that the eclipse of God is over. In the midst of our despair, God promises to be our hope and to wipe away all of our tears.

Fr. Riccardo preached at all of the weekend masses at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church this past weekend. In this homily from the noon Mass, Fr. John poses three questions to the congregants and then discusses preaching on the kerygma. He breaks apart the basic teaching of the gospel into four parts: created, captured, rescued, and response. During Lent, Fr. John asks the congregation to focus on the word captured as described in the first reading for this day (DT 26:4-10). Only by recognizing how God has rescued us from captivity through His Son, Jesus, will we know how we are to respond to the Good News.

Fr. Riccardo offers some spiritual suggestions for Lent in this Ash Wednesday homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John encourages the congregants to read the gospel accounts of the Passion narratives and the first 14 chapters of the book of Exodus while focusing on what Jesus has done for us.

Fr. Riccardo preached at all of the masses at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church this past weekend. In this homily from the 10 AM Mass, Fr. John discusses the ongoing sanctuary renovations in the church. Fr. John tells the congregants that the color of the wall behind the crucifix was matched to the color of the mantle that Mary is wearing in the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe that was left imprinted on the coat of Juan Diego in December of 1531. The wall will serve as a reminder that Mary is presenting her Son to us at every Mass. Fr. John remarks that the entire Christian life is a response to what God has already done for us, and asks how we will respond.

In this homily from the 7 PM Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God Fr. Riccardo discusses the importance of an evening examination of conscience as a best practice for a spiritual life and leads the congregants in this practice.

Fr. Riccardo preached at all of the weekend masses at Our Lady of Good Counsel this past weekend. In this homily from the 5 PM Mass, Fr. John honors his parents, John and Thelma Riccardo, for their commitment to their faith and marriage and shares their sevens keys to having a thriving marriage and family life.

Fr. Riccardo considers four questions in this Christmas homily from the Midnight Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John asks the congregants: what are we celebrating, why is everything still so messed up, what impact does what we are celebrating have on our lives tonight, and how should we respond?

Fr. Riccardo discusses an important lesson of trust that Mary can teach each of us in the homily for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Fr. John draws analogies between Mary and Eve while detailing the reasons why the church honors Mary for her surrender to God and trust in Him. 

Fr. Riccardo discusses what Jesus is trying to teach us through the Beatitudes in this homily for the Solemnity of All Saints.

Fr. Riccardo preached at all of the masses at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church this past weekend. In this homily from the 10 AM Mass, Fr. John discusses the request made by James and John in the gospel reading (MK 10:35-45), the response of the other apostles, and Jesus's words to them and to us regarding the nature and purpose of authority.

The funeral liturgy for Thelma Riccardo, the mother of Fr. John Riccardo, was celebrated at Holy Name Catholic Church in Birmingham, Michigan on September 18th. This is a podcast of Fr. John's homily from that Mass. It may also be view on the Our Lady of Good Counsel YouTube channel using this link. Fr. John and the entire Riccardo family are most appreciative of all of the prayers offered for his mother and in support of the family.

Fr. Riccardo discusses a hopeful word, a familiar word, and a commissioning word in this homily from the 10 AM Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. While reflecting on the passing of his mother, Thelma Riccardo, on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15th), Fr. John turns to Revelation 21 and the promise that God has made to each of us that there will be a new heaven and a new earth. He tells the congregants that Jesus has defeated Satan, Sin, and Death by His death on the cross. Fr. John concludes by using the words of Winston Churchill to the people of England during the early stages of World War II as words of commissioning for us. Fr. John remarks that God has created us, and gifted us, to live at this time with the mission to tell others about Jesus.