Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

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 p...

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 - sha...

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 a...

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 tear...

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 th...

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 Decem...

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 famil...

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 ...