Podcasts about good counsel church

Thanksgiving this year happens to fall on the anniversary of the dedication of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

Fr. Riccardo shares his final words for the parish in this final homily as the pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. As he transitions to his new role as Executive Director of Acts XXIX, Fr. John offers words of praise, words of apology, words of thanks, and concludes with a final appeal to the parishioners of OLGC.

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 points out, "God is calling you to step up and to step forward and to use all the gifts that He has so generously entrusted to you for one purpose – so God can get his world back."

Fr. Prentice Tipton preached at all of the weekend masses at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church this past weekend. In this homily from the 5 PM Mass, Fr. Prentice looks at the conversation between Jesus and Peter by the charcoal fire in today's gospel (JN 21:1-19). Fr. Prentice asks the congregants whether we have given up on God's vision for our lives and settled for simply being Simon. Have we given up on being Peter?

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 - shapes our lives.

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 the first reading for this day (DT 26:4-10). Only by recognizing how God has rescued us from captivity through His Son, Jesus, will we know how we are to respond to the Good News.

Fr. Riccardo offers some spiritual suggestions for Lent in this Ash Wednesday homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John encourages the congregants to read the gospel accounts of the Passion narratives and the first 14 chapters of the book of Exodus while focusing on what Jesus has done for us.

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 December of 1531. The wall will serve as a reminder that Mary is presenting her Son to us at every Mass. Fr. John remarks that the entire Christian life is a response to what God has already done for us, and asks how we will respond.

Fr. Riccardo considers four questions in this Christmas homily from the Midnight Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John asks the congregants: what are we celebrating, why is everything still so messed up, what impact does what we are celebrating have on our lives tonight, and how should we respond?

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 request made by James and John in the gospel reading (MK 10:35-45), the response of the other apostles, and Jesus's words to them and to us regarding the nature and purpose of authority.

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 has defeated Satan, Sin, and Death by His death on the cross. Fr. John concludes by using the words of Winston Churchill to the people of England during the early stages of World War II as words of commissioning for us. Fr. John remarks that God has created us, and gifted us, to live at this time with the mission to tell others about Jesus.

Fr. Riccardo offers an orientation to the sixth chapter of the gospel of John in this homily from the 10 AM Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. As the Sunday gospel readings for the next five weeks are from John 6, Fr. John looks at the readings from a perspective of history. How do we respond to Jesus, who is the savior of the universe? The fitting response is to worship Him and to tell others about Him. In an age where so many are wandering aimlessly, it is important to share the message that God cares, and that He is faithful.  

Fr. Riccardo preached at all of the weekend masses at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church this past weekend. In this homily from the 5 PM Mass, Fr. John discusses our reluctance to share the gospel with others. He encourages the congregants to complete a survey found on the parish website that was designed to assess the reasons why we find it difficult to share the gospel message in public. The survey will be active until Friday, July 6th.

First Mass homily by Fr. Emmanuel Mansford, CFR @ Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, New York City, May 27, 2018. This was a beautiful Mass with the newly ordained Fr. Francesco, Fr. Angelus, Fr. Mark-Mary and Fr. Pierre Toussaint CFR. Listen to learn more!!

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. John discusses God's vision for his world and for us. He looks at the spread of Christianity in the early church despite legal prohibitions and the importance of Christian witness. Fr. John concludes by asking the congregants, "How is God asking you and me to turn our world upside down with the gospel and the revolutionary and radical love of Jesus?"

Deacon Dave Carignan preached at all of the weekend Masses at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church this past weekend. In this homily from the 8 AM Mass, Deacon Dave discusses the importance of pruning whatever is not of Christ within us if we wish to bear fruit as disciples of Jesus.

In this homily from the Easter Vigil Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Fr. Riccardo tells the congregants that God is acting in a preeminent way at the Vigil Mass. While addressing the congregants about to be baptized during the Vigil Mass, Fr. John remarks that through the waters of Baptism, we are transferred to the kingdom of God's beloved Son. He also tells those being confirmed and those already confirmed that they are sharers in the mission of Jesus Christ and are tasked to bring others to Him. When confronting evil and suffering in the world, Fr. John encourages the proclamation of the gospel to bring God's children back to Him.  

Fr. Riccardo discusses the seven last words of Christ from the cross in this reflection from a Good Friday service at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

Fr. Riccardo preached at all of the Masses this past weekend at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. In this homily from the 10 AM Mass, Fr. John discusses what it means to live as a highly contagious married couple while citing the example of his own parents.

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. John continues to breakdown Archbishop Vigneron's pastoral letter Unleash the Gospel while looking at the lives of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Paul. Fr. John remarks that like Francis and Paul, we need new hearts if we are to go out into the world to share the gospel message. As we enter the lenten season, Fr. John proposes praying, "Help us Lord, to experience as much as possible, the love that moved you to become man to save us from the drudgery that is life apart from you."

Fr. Riccardo continues to breakdown Archbishop Vigneron's pastoral letter Unleash the Gospel in this homily from the 10 AM Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John describes how a chance encounter with a gentleman on a golf course led to a life-changing encounter with Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr. John remarks that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who goes looking for His lost sheep so that he may bring us back and save us from our pasts.

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.

Homily from Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR, on the occasion of the first Mass of the six newly ordained friars. Given at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Manhattan, New York City, on Sunday, May 28th.

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. 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.

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. 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.

Fr. Riccardo tells the congregation that the point of Lent is conversion in this homily from the Ash Wednesday school Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John looks at the importance of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to help us on the path to conversion during this season. Fr. John concludes by discussing a simple way to think about Lent.

In this homily from the noon Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God Fr. Riccardo reflects on events from the past year and proposes that the parishioners continue to set aside Wednesdays as days of fasting and prayer for marriages, families, and for priests.

Fr. Riccardo tells the congregation that Jesus was sent to fight for us because we matter to God in this Christmas homily from the Midnight Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John describes scenes from the critically acclaimed movie Hacksaw Ridge while letting the congregants know that the Lord has come to pick us up and carry us to safety. He encourages the congregants to go out and get those who do not see.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the importance of prayer to our growth as mature disciples of Christ in this homily from the noon Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John encourages the congregants to get into the habit of praying daily. He remarks that for a mature relationship with God we need to listen, ask, repent, thank, and praise Him. Fr. John suggests beginning and ending each day in prayer using the psalms to praise God for who He is.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the Rerouting series that will begin at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church beginning in January. In this homily for the Feast to the Immaculate Conception, Fr. John examines the importance of understanding scripture in a new way, particularly Genesis 1 to 3. By learning to read the scriptures properly, we can find the answers to the questions in our lives that ultimately matter.

Fr. Riccardo discusses why bearing witness to Christ is so important and urgent in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John looks at the witness given by Fr. Sixtus O'Connor to imprisoned Nazis awaiting trial at Nuremberg after World War II while remarking that our personal witness can lead to the salvation of others. Fr. John points out that, "Only Jesus can turn hostility and disunity and enmity to unity and brotherhood and family."

This is Fr. Riccardo's homily from the evening Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church for The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.

Fr. Riccardo discusses his recent pilgrimage to Poland, abortion, and the upcoming presidential election in this homily from the Wednesday evening Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the reasons why we have statues, images, and relics in our church in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John reminds the congregants that we experience reality through our senses, and in particular through sight. Fr. John discusses the recent addition to the church of a relic from St. Maximilian Kolbe, and reflects on the gospel account of the Good Samaritan (COL 1:15-20), while offering the congregants a suggestion of four simple ways to practice love in our daily life.

Fr. Riccardo discusses reasons why catholics do not evangelize in this homily from the 8 AM Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the greatness of God in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. While encouraging the congregants to view a video from Pastor Louie Giglio of Passion City Church, Fr. John ponders the vastness of the universe and the fact that its creator got on His knees to wash the feet of his disciples and allowed himself to be condemned to death on a cross for our salvation. Fr. John encourages the congregants to enter into Holy Week with the understanding that we have access to God all the time, and that we can approach Him without fear or anxiety.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the importance of knowing our story in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. While detailing a preaching schedule for the season of lent, Fr. John reminds the congregants that we have been saved from slavery to the devil by the outstretched arms of Christ on the cross. He reminds the congregation that we need to know the story of both our fall and salvation for things to make sense.

Fr. Riccardo's father, John J. Riccardo, was called to receive his heavenly reward on February 13th. Fr. John offers a tribute to his father in this homily from the 8 AM Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregants that God is rich in mercy while encouraging them to return to the sacrament of reconciliation in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John tells the audience what he observed as our young second grade children received the sacrament for the first time this weekend, and offers a special opportunity for parishioners who have been away from the sacrament for some time to come and experience God's abundant mercy.

In this Midnight Mass homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church for the Feast of Christmas, Fr. Riccardo discusses a Russian icon of the Trinity, some common objections to faith, how Jesus has translated God, an event happening now, and a commissioning for all Catholics.

Fr. Riccardo looks at service to God and service to each other in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John discusses how our disordered hearts can be a barrier to service and remarks that by following the example of Christ and growing in conformity to Him we can find happiness, fulfillment, and peace through service.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the marriage equality decision of the United States Supreme Court in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

Fr. Riccardo looks at our obligation as Catholics to spread the faith to the best of our ability in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John discusses the parish mission in light of the Him first campaign while considering the issue involved, the ramifications of not participating, and the possible benefit. Fr. John encourages the congregants to offer a most credible witness to our community of the difference that Jesus makes.

Fr. Riccardo discusses our parish mission in this homily from the 4 PM Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John looks at the importance of the laity in accomplishing the mission and cites the example of Brian Hill, who was recently called to his eternal rest.

Fr. Riccardo reflects on his recent trip to Italy and a viewing of the Shroud of Turin in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John discusses the great love shown by Jesus in His sacrifice on the cross and His commandment to us to love one another (JN 15:9-17).