About the show
Selected homilies, presentations, and talks of Fr. John Riccardo as the Executive Director of ACTS XXIX and from when he was a Pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Parish in Plymouth, MI.
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Episodes
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Episode 791: June 30, 20190-5 PM Mass at OLGC
July 6th, 2019 | 18 mins 59 secs
final mass, fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel
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.
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Episode 790: May 30, 2019-Graduation Mass Homily
May 30th, 2019 | 13 mins 13 secs
2019 graduation, fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel
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.
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Episode 789: May 19, 2019-Noon Mass at OLGC
May 20th, 2019 | 21 mins 13 secs
acts 14:21-27, fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel
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."
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Episode 786: Easter Vigil Mass Homily
April 21st, 2019 | 21 mins 7 secs
easter, easter vigil, fr. john riccardo, homily, melito of turkey, our lady of good counsel
The deceiver is deceived, his dominion is destroyed, and you and I have been sent out as witnesses. Fr. John 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.
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Episode 785: April 19, 2019-Good Friday Homily
April 19th, 2019 | 23 mins 28 secs
fr. john riccardo, good friday, homily, our lady of good counsel
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.
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Episode 784: April 18, 2019-Holy Thursday Mass
April 19th, 2019 | 26 mins 56 secs
fr. john riccardo, holy thursday, homily, our lady of good counsel
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.
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Episode 783: March 10, 2019-Noon Mass at OLGC
March 11th, 2019 | 18 mins 10 secs
dt 26:4-10, fr. john riccardo, gospel, homily, kerygma, our lady of good counsel
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.
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Episode 782: March 6, 2019-Ash Wednesday
March 7th, 2019 | 8 mins 44 secs
ash wednesday, exodus 1-14, fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel
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 Exodus while focusing on what Jesus has done for us.
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Episode 781: January 27, 2019-10 AM Mass at OLGC
January 28th, 2019 | 19 mins 1 sec
fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel, our lady of guadalupe
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.
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Episode 780: December 31, 2018-Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
January 2nd, 2019 | 8 mins 28 secs
examination of conscience, fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel, solemnity of the blessed virgin mary the mother of god
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.
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Episode 779: December 30, 2018-5 PM Mass at OLGC
January 2nd, 2019 | 18 mins 30 secs
family, fr. john riccardo, homily, marriage, our lady of good counsel, seven keys to marriage
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.
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Episode 778: Christmas 2018-Midnight Mass Homily
December 26th, 2018 | 21 mins 16 secs
christmas, fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel, response
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?