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

  • Episode 777: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

    December 8th, 2018  |  15 mins 16 secs
    blessed mother, fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel, solemnity of the immaculate conception of the blessed virgin mary

    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. 

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    Episode 776: Solemnity of All Saints

    November 3rd, 2018  |  12 mins 37 secs
    beatitudes, fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel, solemnity of all saints

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

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    Episode 775: October 21, 2018-10 AM Mass at OLGC

    October 22nd, 2018  |  17 mins 55 secs
    authority, fr. john riccardo, homily, mk 10:35-45, 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 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.

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    Episode 774: September 18, 2018-Funeral Liturgy for Thelma Riccardo

    September 19th, 2018  |  24 mins 14 secs
    fr. john riccardo, funeral, homily, thelma riccardo

    The funeral liturgy for Thelma Riccardo, the mother of Fr. John Riccardo, was celebrated at Holy Name Catholic Church in Birmingham, Michigan on September 18, 2018. This is a podcast of Fr. John's homily from that Mass.

  • Episode 773: September 16, 2018-10 AM Mass at OLGC

    September 17th, 2018  |  18 mins 21 secs
    fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel, revelation 21

    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.

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    Episode 772: September 12, 2018-Mass for Victims of Sexual Abuse

    September 13th, 2018  |  13 mins 32 secs
    fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel, victims of sexual abuse

    On the evening of September 12th, Fr. John Riccardo celebrated a Mass for victims of sexual abuse.

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    Episode 771: July 29, 2018-10 AM Mass at OLGC

    July 30th, 2018  |  20 mins 42 secs
    fr. john riccardo, homily, john 6, our lady of good counsel, response

    Fr. John Riccardo offers an orientation to the sixth chapter of the gospel of John in this homily from the 10 AM Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. As the Sunday gospel readings for the next five weeks are from John 6, Fr. John looks at the readings from a perspective of history. How do we respond to Jesus, who is the savior of the universe? The fitting response is to worship Him and to tell others about Him. In an age where so many are wandering aimlessly, it is important to share the message that God cares, and that He is faithful.

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    Episode 770: June 24, 2018-5 PM Mass at OLGC

    June 25th, 2018  |  5 mins 58 secs
    fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel, reluctance to share gospel

    Fr. Riccardo 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. John discusses our reluctance to share the gospel with others.

  • Episode 769: May 25, 2018-Streamer Day Mass Homily

    May 25th, 2018  |  15 mins
    fr. john riccardo, gospel, homily, kerygma, our lady of good counsel, streamer mass

    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.

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    Episode 768: May 6, 2018-Noon Mass at OLGC

    May 7th, 2018  |  24 mins 11 secs
    early church, fr. john riccardo, gospel, homily, kerygma, 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. John discusses God's vision for His world and for us. He looks at the spread of Christianity in the early church despite legal prohibitions and the importance of Christian witness. Fr. John concludes by asking the congregants, "How is God asking you and me to turn our world upside down with the gospel and the revolutionary and radical love of Jesus?"

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    Episode 766: Easter Vigil Mass Homily

    April 4th, 2018  |  22 mins 2 secs
    2018 easter vigil, fr. john riccardo, homily, our lady of good counsel

    In this homily from the Easter Vigil Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Fr. John Riccardo tells the congregants that God is acting in a preeminent way at the Vigil Mass. While addressing the congregants about to be baptized during the Vigil Mass, Fr. John remarks that through the waters of Baptism, we are transferred to the kingdom of God's beloved Son. He also tells those being confirmed and those already confirmed that they are sharers in the mission of Jesus Christ and are tasked to bring others to Him. When confronting evil and suffering in the world, Fr. John encourages the proclamation of the gospel to bring God's children back to Him.

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    Episode 765: A Reflection on the Seven Last Words of Christ

    March 30th, 2018  |  20 mins 58 secs
    fr. john riccardo, good friday, homily, our lady of good counsel, seven last words of christ

    Fr. John Riccardo discusses the seven last words of Christ from the cross in this reflection from a Good Friday service at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.