Catholic Inspiration

Empowered by the Holy Spirit and filled with the love of the Risen Christ, the disciples continue to proclaim the Good News in the face of open hostility.  May we take their example to heart as we draw near to the Lord for the grace we need to confront the challenges and obstacles of daily life. April 7, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.  

The Apostles continue to preach the message of Christ in the context of persecution.  They are freed from fear!  How is this possible?  Where do they get their strength?  The Gospel answer: the Love of Christ poured out through his Death and Resurrection has transformed them.  May the Lord's love cast out our fears as well. April 6, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles reveals the unity of "one heart and mind" that the early Church practiced in the days following the Lord's resurrection.  Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the first followers of Jesus Christ shared their goods in common, worked together, and dedicated their efforts to building up one another.  What a great image for us to keep before us in our lives today! April 5, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all podcasts.

The Scriptures this week reveal two key aspects of the Disciples' lives: an encounter with Jesus Christ a powerful proclamation of the Good News Simply put, they have become Living Gospels - receiving the Risen Lord so that they might boldly share their faith with others.  In just the same way, may we receive Christ - in Sacrament, Scripture, Fellowship and Prayer - so that we can give the love of Christ to those we meet. April 2, 2016 - St William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

This is now the third day in a row where we perceive the same pattern: An encounter with Christ in the Gospels and the response of the disciples in the first reading.  Today's response highlights persecution - those moments when our faith comes at a cost - and we witness the change in Peter who acts very differently in the light of Easter joy.   April 1, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

Continuing the readings from yesterday, we discover how the disciples hear the Good News in the Scriptures and then boldly share the message of Jesus Christ with others.  May we do the same! March 31, 2016 - Fr. Andrew's Buick on Hwy 53 - Northwestern Wisconsin Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

Two great readings!  The road to Emmaus shows how two disciples encountered Christ; the miracle performed by Peter & John in the name of Jesus reveals how the disciples now continue the Lord's work.  We, too, are invited to encounter the Lord so that we can share what we have received with one another. March 30, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes, or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

Both Peter and Mary Magdalene are transformed by the power of the resurrection: Peter, formerly bound by fear, is now on fire to spread the Good News; Mary, overcome by sorrow, is now filled with joy.  What in our life needs to be touched by the power of Christ's resurrection?  How can Easter transforms our lives today? March 29, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

"What will you give me?" is the question asked by Judas, and in our moments of temptation and sin it could easily be our own.  And yet what we discover in these next few days of the Sacred Triduum is that Christ will answer the question with the blood of his Cross.  Judas took silver and it ended in death; Jesus died on the Cross and it ended in eternal life.  May we draw near to the Lord - especially in our times of need - to accept his sacrifice and receive his grace. March 23, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

John's Gospel today shows the Lord with a troubled heart as he announces that both Judas and Peter will deny him.  In the same meal where the Christ left us the Eucharist he also acknowledges the weakness of his own disciples.  It begs the question: When have we denied the Lord in our lives?  When have we turned away from Jesus in a moment of temptation?  May this Holy Week renew our faith and help us return to the one who died and rose that we might have a path that leads out of sin into newness of life.

We read the Passion of Christ ever year, not as some sad, distant, impersonal story that happen long ago, but as OUR STORY - a reminder that Christ endured his Cross for US, for our our sins and transgressions.  As we enter into this sacred season, may we draw near to the one who saves and sets us free.

We all sin, and sometimes our disastrous mistakes become public humiliations.  Yet like the woman in the Gospel today we encounter the Lord who simultaneously acknowledges the sin and blesses us with forgiving grace.  Through an honest appraisal of our hearts and an open acceptance of God's love we can be renewed to live with power and joy.  Simply put, may we name the sin and claim the mercy. March 12, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

With some help from 4th graders at Cathedral School, Fr. Andrew comments on how John's Gospel builds the tension that will ultimately lead Jesus to his Cross. March 11, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

There are times when we stubbornly cling to assumptions and thoughts which distance us from the Lord and one another.  The Lord invites us in the Gospel today to believe that we might have eternal life. March 10, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

The Gospel proclaims that we receive from Jesus what he received from his Father in heaven.  As Lord and savior, Christ will judge us at the end of time by our deeds, reminding us that we have a precious opportunity today to live our faith with power and joy. March 9, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

Anyone who farms or gardens knows the crucial need for water.  Essential for life, water also calms our souls and heals our hearts.  Today's Old Testament and Gospel readings remind us that Christ is the flowing water that brings life to the world. March 8, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

This Gospel parable is well known and applicable to our lives today.  There are times when we can identify with both sons - either in need of mercy or called to give it - and we find a Father who runs out to meet us where we are.  May we open wide the doors of our hearts...and encounter Mercy. March 6, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

How do we understand mercy as it applies to our lives?  What does it mean and how can we practice mercy - both receiving and giving - in our interactions with the Lord and one another?  This short talk offers some practical points and an example from Jesus in the Gospel of John.  Given during the "24 Hours with the Lord" at the Cathedral on March 4, 2016.

The prophet Jeremiah calls us to listen to God - opening our hearts to the Lord's word - and the Psalm reminds us not to harden our hearts.  May the the words of Christ inspire us to draw near and allow God's grace to work in our lives. March 3, 2016 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.

With a some insights from some students in Mrs. Blomfeldt's 1st Grade class at Cathedral School, Fr. Andrew discovers some practical ways to love the people in our lives.  (Hint:  Don't bite your sister!  Clean your room, even if it's as messy as a pig.) March 4, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com for an archive of all presentations.