Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

Fr. Riccardo concludes his series on the teachings of Jesus with regard to sexual morality. Fr. John discusses homosexuality in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. 

On the 11th and 12th of May, Fr. Phong Pfam of Cross Catholic Outreach preached at all of the Masses at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church concerning the global missionary work of this organization. Fr. Pfam's homily is presented here, along with the song he sang for all mothers in celebration of Mother's Day.

Fr. Riccardo continues to preach on the teaching of Jesus with regard to sexual morality in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John discusses the importance of living a virtuous life, with particular emphasis on the virtue of temperance. At the end of the Mass, Fr. John recommended the book Back to Virtue by Peter Kreeft.

Fr. Riccardo continues to preach on the teaching of Jesus with regard to sexual morality in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John discusses sobering statistics regarding pornography, the ways this industry is harmful to families, and offers pastoral help for those dealing with addictions to pornography. Support groups at Our Lady of Good Counsel include the My House women's group (a confidential group dedicated to help women grieve the losses associated with their spouse's pornography use or other issues of infidelity and sexual indiscretions) and a My House men's support group for men struggling with addictions to pornography. Fr. Riccardo also recommends the Reclaim Sexual Health website, an anonymous online recovery program that helps struggling individuals break free from pornography addiction and other unwanted sexual behaviors.

Each year Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel with 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.

Fr. Riccardo details his plan to spend the next several weeks preaching on the Church's teaching with regard to sexuality. Fr. John reminds the congregation that the Church's moral teaching is based on reason.

Fr. Riccardo contrasts the recent NCAA basketball championship weekend with John's glimpse of heaven from today's second reading (Rev. 5:11-14).  Fr. John asks the congregation to consider what is the appropriate response to a God who has become man and destroyed death?

In this homily from the Easter Vigil Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr. Riccardo remarks that, "The crisis in the church today is a lack of knowledge of the risen, living Jesus."  While addressing the congregation, including a group of 56 people about to enter the church, Fr. John reminds them that they must be conformed to Jesus and that all are sent out to evangelize by telling others about Him.

Fr. Riccardo offers advice to the congregants on preparing for Holy Week in this Palm Sunday homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Together with Fr. Steve Mateja, Fr. Bob Shikora and Deacon Vince Small, Fr. John Riccardo presided at a Mass to celebrate the election of our new Holy Father Pope Francis.  Fr. John reflects on this joyous occasion for the church in this homily from the Mass held in the evening on March 13th.

While addressing a congregation that included the RCIA candidates, Fr. Riccardo asks the congregants, "Are we truly disciples, or are we just going through the motions?" Fr. John discusses on the sacrament of Baptism while reflecting on gospel account of St. John (Jn 9:1-41).

Fr. Riccardo reflects on the events that happened in the parish during the past week, and in a particular way on events that occurred during the Life Teen retreat that ended earlier in the day.  This podcast contains Fr. John's Mass homily, and concludes with the personal testimony of a teen-aged member of the parish Life Teen group.

While reflecting on the readings of this day (Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; 1Cor 15:1-11; and Lk 5:1-11), Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation whether Jesus is real or an abstract concept for them. Fr. John encourages them to approach the season of Lent with a sense of purpose and suggests that they spend time each week in prayer, scripture reading, spiritual reading, giving alms, and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliatilon

Fr. Riccardo reflects on the letter of St. Paul to the community in Corinth in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.  While considering the second reading (1 Cor 12:31-13;13) for the fourth Sunday in ordinary time, Fr. John puts St. Paul's letter in its historical context, and discerns the message for Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in 2013.

This weekend, Fr. Riccardo is preaching at all Masses to address the status of the parish's 2020 Vision Campaign.  On behalf of the Parish Development Committee, Fr. John delivers an update on the church expansion project and encourages congregants to listen to the podcast of the original town hall meeting from early December.

In this homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Fr. Riccardo discusses the sacrament of Baptism.

In this homily for the Feast of the Epiphany, Fr. Riccardo asks "Have I met Jesus as the Magi did?"  Fr. John remarks that Jesus is the truth that can give ultimate meaning to our lives.

In this homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to try each day to imitate Mary, who provides the perfect example of the response God is seeking from each of us.

In this homily for the Feast of the Holy Family, Fr. Riccardo discusses the importance of planning.  Fr. John emphasizes the importance of planning to a married life, and encourages the congregation to plan for all areas of their lives in which they wish to thrive.

In this homily from Christmas Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr. Riccardo reflects on gifts and giving. Fr. John ecourages the congregation to set aside time to reflect on the many gifts that God has bestowed on each of us and to give Him thanks.