The annual parish mission is being held from February 26th to February 29th. Fr. Michael Fones, O.P., is leading this year's mission titled Put Out Into the Deep . This is Fr. Fones homily from the 5 PM Mass prior to the start of the mission.
While considering the gospel reading from St. Mark (Mk 2:1-12), Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation to bring their concerns and prayer intentions to the altar of the Lord at the offeratory.
Fr. Riccardo discusses the recent health care mandate from the Department of Health and Human Services. Fr. John shares a letter from Most Rev. Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing, posted on the diocesan website. Fr. John encourages the congregation to vist the Michigan Catholc Conference website and the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website to learn about this issue. He also aks the parishioners to set aside Presidents' Day, February 20th, as a day of prayer and fasting as a parish family for ...
Fr. Riccardo reflects on the sacrament of marriage in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. While focusing on today's second reading from St. Paul (1 Cor 7:32-35), Fr. John remarks that marriage is a special charism given by God to a couple for a public purpose.
Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that we are all called to be prophets. While reflecting on the message of repentance from today's readings (Jon 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20), Fr. John encourages the congregation to speak on God's behalf with courage and charity on the major moral issues that confront us.
Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to spend time in prayful reflection with one line from this week's readings. The readings for this Sunday are 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; and Jn 1:35-42.
In this homily for The Feast of the Epiphany , Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation whether Jesus is the star that guides their lives. The readings for this day are Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; and Mt 2:1-12.
In this homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Fr. Riccardo considers the life of Mary, and encourages the congregation to begin each day in the new year with silent reflection and prayer, considering all that God has done for us.
In this homily from Christmas Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to ask God to give them eyes to see and a mind to understand all that God has done for them. Fr. John remarks that adults can learn from watching how children approach Christmas with a sense of awe and wonder.
While reflectng on the Announciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary from today's gospel reading (Luke 1:26-38), Fr. Riccardo asks, "What makes it possible for Mary to say yes?"
Fr. Riccardo tells the congregation that God wants us to walk out of Mass each Sunday transformed. He wants us to be made holy through our participation in the liturgy, and to become more like Him. While reflecting on the readings of this day (Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28), Fr. John remarks that we should leave Mass with God's love spilling out of us and onto those we encounter each day.
While reflecting on events in the parish during the past week and on the day's scripture readings (Is 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Pt 3:8-11; Mk 1:1-8), Fr. Riccardo asks, "What is the purpose of time?" Fr. John suggests that God gives us time so that we might come to know Him, so that we might change our ways, and so that we might change the immediate world in which we live.
While reflecting on the gospel reading from St. Matthew (Mt 25:31-46), Fr. Riccardo reflects on judgment day. Fr. John encourages the congregation to "wake up to living rightly," and to look for Jesus in the faces of those we encounter in our daily lives.
Fr. Riccardo tells the congregation that God wants to judge us, and that His judgment need not be negative. While considering the gospel reading from St. Matthew (Mt 25:14-30), Fr. John encourages the congregation to consider how they are using the gifts that God has bestowed on each of us.
Fr. Riccardo's homily from the Memorial Mass for Prenatal and Stillborn Loss is presented here.
On November 8th, Fr. Riccardo presided at a memorial Mass for parents who have experienced the painful loss of a young child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or other traumatic events. This is a podcast of the audio from that Mass with minimal edits. It is presented here in an effort to offer consolation to parents everywhere who have experienced such a loss, with our prayer that Our Lady of Good Counsel will comfort you in your sorrow. The parish community thanks vocalist Karen Ervin and our mu...
Fr. Riccardo recognizes parish volunteers in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. While honoring parishioners as Pillars of the Parish, Fr. John reminds the congregation of the importance of expressions of gratitude and encourges them to show gratitude to God for all that He has done for us.
Fr. Riccardo discusses the new Roman Missal in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John remarks that the changes in the new translation of the prayers used at Mass provide us an opportunity for a renewal of our faith and provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the mystery of the Mass.
Fr. Riccardo discusses the state of the parish is this homily for the October 8-9 weekend.
Father Riccardo asks the congregation, "What are we doing with the investment that God has made in us?" While reflecting on the readings of this day (Is 5:1-7, Phil 4:6-9, and Mt 21:33-43) and on the Sacrament of Confirmation being celebrated this afternoon at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr. John encourages the congregation to pray for our confirmandi and ask the Holy Spirit to descend in power upon them for the purpose of bearing fruit in their lives.
While considering the readings of this day (Ez 18:25-28, Phil 2:1-11, and Mt 21:28-32), Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that we are not defined by our pasts and that God is appealing to us to come home. Fr.John encourages the congregation to turn to the Lord and let Him live and love through us.
While reflecting on the parable of the landowner from today's gospel reading (Mt 20:1-16a), Fr. Riccardo discusses the sin of envy. Fr. John reminds the congregation that the remedy for envy is gratitude, and he encourages everyone to consider all that God has done for them.
This is Fr. Riccardo's homily from the Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated at the start of the new school year.
In this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Fr. Riccardo discusses God's vision for our lives. While reflecting on the day's second reading from St. Paul (Rom 13:8-10), Fr. John reminds the congregation that God's commandments are a direct gift to each us and can guide each of us to a successful life.
Fr. Riccardo encourages the congregation to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. While reflecting on the gospel reading from St. Matthew (Mt 16:13-20), Fr. John discusses statistics regarding catholics and confession and reminds the congregation that God is always merciful.
While reflecting on today's gospel account from St. Matthew (Mt 14:22-33), Fr. Riccardo remarks that all of life is a storm with endless opportunities for fear and anxiety. Fr. John reminds us that in times of need we need to remember that we have a loving Savior whose power is beyond all comprehension. He encourages us to keep our eyes on Jesus.
While reflecting on the readings of this day (Is 55:1-3, Rom 8:35, 37-39, and Mt 14:13-21), Fr. Riccardo recounts the many miracles performed by Jesus. Fr. John reminds the congregation that the greatest miracle of all occurs each day at Mass, when bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ. Fr. John encourages the congregation to ask God to help them understand what is happening as they prepare to encounter Christ in the Eucharist.
Fr. Riccardo asks the congregation to reflect on the question posed by Jesus in the gospel reading from St. Matthew (Mt 13:44-52), "Do you understand all these things?" Fr. John encourages us to beg the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, that we might grow in knowledge of the Lord and build a relationship with the Father.
Fr. Riccardo encourages parishioners to serve the parish as Ministers of Hospitality in this video podcast in standard definition. It should play in iTunes, using Apple's QuickTime movie player software, on an AppleTV, or on a video iPod. It is a 113 MB download, so a broadband connection is recommended.
While reflecting on the readings for this day (Wis 12:13, 16-19; Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43), Fr. Riccardo encourages parishioners to serve the parish as Ministers of Hospitality.
