Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

Fr. Riccardo reflects on his recent vacation in Utah while discussing the importance of changing the routines in our lives. Fr. John encourages the congregants to spend time reading the word of God while letting Him knead His truth, love and mercy in our minds, hearts and wills. Whoever has ears ought to hear (MT 13:43).

This is Fr. Riccardo's homily from the school Mass concluding the 2016-17 school year.

Fr. Riccardo addresses the eighth grade graduating class of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School in this homily from the 2017 Graduation Mass while honoring Principal Czaplicki and Fr. John Simoneau.

Fr. Riccardo preached at the 4 PM Mass honoring parish members completing their high school or college studies. Fr. John tells the graduates that happiness is only found through friendship with God and with each other. He encourages them to pray for great friends. He remarks that the foundational source of security is knowledge that God is good and that he will give what is needed. Fr. John concludes by tell the graduates that the commandments of God are not arbitrary, but were given out of love. He encourages the graduates to use their minds when their faith is under attack.

Fr. Riccardo presided at the Vigil Mass for the Feast of Pentecost at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John uses an image of Mary from the Announciation to encourage us to be receptive to the Holy Spirit. He invites the congregation to read Unleash the Gospel, a pastoral letter from Archbishop Allen Vigneron detailing the roadmap for the future of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Fr. Riccardo tells the congregants that our community of Plymouth can be changed if we are receptive to the Holy Spirit.

Fr. John Simoneau preached at all of the Masses at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church this past weekend. Fr. John discusses the five building blocks of the Holy Spirit in this homily from the 5 PM Mass. Fr. John looks at Mary as our ideal set before us by God to guide us to the Father.

Fr. Riccardo preached at all of the masses this weekend at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. In this homily from the 10 AM Mass, Fr. John tells the congregation that God is an architect with a blueprint for our lives and for our parish. While reflecting on the readings of this day (ACTS 6:1-7, 1 PT 2:4-9, JN 14:1-12) and on St. Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth (1 COR 3:9-10) Fr. John discusses the role of the laity as living stones in the spiritual house that is our parish.

Deacon Chris Stark, Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, preached at all of the Masses this past weekend at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Deacon Chris described the founding of the society by Blessed Frederic Ozanam nearly 200 years ago, and the many ways that the society serves people in need locally and around the world. Deacon Chris encourages the congregants to bring gently used clothing to OLGC on the weekend of May 13 & 14 to support the society with their bundle drive. Monetary donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Detroit may be made using this link.

Fr. Prentice Tipton preached at all of the Masses this past weekend at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. In this homily from the 5 PM Mass, Fr. Prentice looks at the remarkable transformation of the apostles from Jesus' crucifixion to Pentecost. Fr. Prentice tells the congregants that the sins of our present and of our past cannot disqualify us from one day becoming holy, and that the Church is the place where every sinner has a future.

This is Fr. Prentice Tipton's homily from the 8 AM Easter Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. Prentice concludes his homily for the Rerouting series by asking, "What have we done with our freedom?" After reflecting on the baptisms he witnessed during the Easter Vigil Mass the previous evening, Fr. Prentice reminds the congregants that the shackles of sin are broken through the power of Christ's resurrection.

This is Fr. John Simoneau's homily from the 10:30 AM Easter Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John concludes his homily for the Rerouting series by telling the congregants that they have reason to hope. Fr. John points out that the world is in the state that it is in due to continued doubt that Christ is the key to happiness. He encourages us not to be ashamed to be recognized as followers of Christ in our daily interactions with others.

This is Fr. Pierre Ingram's homily from the 1 PM Easter Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. Pierre concludes his homily for the Rerouting series by looking at the empty tomb as the cradle of the catholic church, the task of discipleship, and the truth of the resurrection.

In this homily from the Easter Vigil Mass, Fr. Riccardo discusses what comes next. As the parish concludes the fourteen week long Rerouting series, Fr. John tells the congregation that Jesus has risen and there is work to do. Fr. John offers several concrete suggestions for ways that we can live our lives in a manner that makes God tangible to each other and to all who meet us.

Fr. Pierre Ingram discusses the toll road in this homily from the 5 PM Mass at OLGC for the Rerouting series. Fr. Pierre encourages the congregants to make an inventory of all of the sins of their lives and to express gratitude to God that they have all been washed away by the blood of Christ. Resources for Rerouting, including video taped sessions and outlines, may be found on the parish website.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the toll road while continuing the Rerouting series. Fr. John asks the congregation, "What amount is due for the sins of our whole lives?" As we enter Holy Week, Fr. Riccardo suggests that we set aside time this week to watch The Passion of the Christ and to make a life-long examination of our lives. Resources for Rerouting, including video taped sessions and outlines, may be found on the parish website.

Fr. John Simoneau looks at what is involved in crossing the border in this Wednesday evening Rerouting Deeper Dive session. Fr. John encourages the audience members to move outside their comfort zones to bring others to Christ. A videotaped recording of Fr. John's talk may be viewed on the parish website.  

Fr. John Simoneau preached at all of the weekend Masses this past weekend to continue the Rerouting series. Fr. John looks at what it means to cross the "border" while debunking the voices we may hear along the way. Fr. John uses the words of Pope Benedict XVI to remind the congregants that we have nothing to lose by letting Christ in our lives. In addition to the Sunday homilies, the parish is hosting Wednesday evening Rerouting Deeper Dive sessions to help pave the way. Resources for Rerouting, including video taped sessions and outlines, may be found on the parish website.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the power of witness in this Wednesday evening Rerouting Deeper Dive session. Fr. John looks at the people who had a transformative influence on his life, particularly the saints and martyrs who gave their lives in witness to the faith. A videotaped recording of Fr. John's talk may be viewed on the parish website.  

Fr. Riccardo preached at all of the weekend Masses this past weekend to continue the Rerouting series. Fr. John discusses various ways that we can grow as disciples and how we can learn to discern God's voice. He looks at what is and what is not required for intentional discipleship, and cites many examples of ordinary people who dropped their nets to follow Jesus. In addition to the Sunday homilies, the parish is hosting Wednesday evening Rerouting Deeper Dive sessions to help pave the way. Resources for Rerouting, including video taped sessions and outlines, may be found on the parish website.

Fr. Pierre Ingram looks at Jesus as the way in this Wednesday evening Rerouting Deeper Dive session. Fr. Pierre examines the topic of discipleship from the perspective of someone who wants to give himself or herself completely to Jesus. A videotaped recording of Fr. Pierre's talk may be viewed on the parish website.