Author Archives: Fr. Andrew Ricci

About Fr. Andrew Ricci

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A Catholic priest since 1997, Fr. Andrew Ricci is currently the rector of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI. His website "Three Great Things" can be found at studyprayserve.com and his podcasts can be found under "Catholic Inspiration" in the iTunes store.

Study, Pray, Serve: 3rd Sunday of Lent

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Here are some of the main themes that we find in the Mass readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent.

1st Reading – Exodus 20:1-17

  • The Ten Commandments are a central part of Jewish and Christian teaching, and they have shaped faith and culture in countless ways.

Psalm – 19:8-11

  • “Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.”
  • God’s laws, decrees, precepts, commands, and ordinances bring joy, wisdom, and truth.

2nd Reading – 1st Corinthians 1:22-25

  • We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to many, but to those who are called, the wisdom of God.
  • God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom; God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Gospel – John 2:13-25

  • Jesus drives out of the temple area the money changers and the people who sold animals for sacrifice.
  • He responds to their question for a sign, saying, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
  • The disciples will remember these words after the Lord was raised from the dead.

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Lent (B, #29)

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

Note: In those parishes where the Scrutiny takes place for those coming into the Church at Easter, the Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Cycle A may be used.


2nd Sunday of Lent: The glory of the Transfiguration gives us hope before the Cross. Catholic Inspiration

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The glory of the Transfiguration of Jesus gives hope and consolation to Peter, James and John as Jesus speaks about his upcoming Passion and death on the Cross.

Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Lent (B – #26)

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: Love your enemies. Catholic Inspiration

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The Lord’s command to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” invites us to call upon God’s grace to put this teaching into practice.

Mass Readings – Saturday of the 1st Week of Lent (#229)

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Catholic Inspiration

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Psalm 130 connects our deep human pain with our trust in the Lord’s forgiveness, mercy and redemption.

Mass Readings – Friday of the 1st Week of Lent (#228)

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

St. Polycarp, pray for us!


How do I share my faith? Part 2 – Cultivating our spiritual life

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This is the second part of a six-week series about how we gently and lovingly share our faith with others. In this presentation Fr. Andrew speaks about how we cultivate a vibrant and personal spiritual life.

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: We are works in progress, fostering our faith in Christ. Catholic Inspiration

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On this Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, we recognize that we are all “works in progress” and, like Peter, we strive to foster our faith in Jesus Christ.

Mass Readings – Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Apostle

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

St. Peter, pray for us!


Daily Mass: Jesus calls us to repent. Catholic Inspiration

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Like Jonah before the people of Nineveh, Jesus calls the people (including us!) to repent.

Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 1st Week of Lent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

St. Peter Damian, pray for us!


Daily Mass: The Lord’s Prayer. Catholic Inspiration

Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray, and the Lord’s Prayer continues to powerfully sustain our spiritual lives today. May we offer these words from the heart, drawing close to the God and one another.

Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent (#224)

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: Our actions have eternal consequences. Catholic Inspiration

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Jesus teaches that at the end of time we will all stand before him to be judged, based on the way we treated the least among us. (#223)

Mass Readings – Monday of the 1st Week of Lent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Study, Pray, Serve: 2nd Sunday of Lent

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Here are some of the main themes that we find in the Mass Readings for the 2nd Sunday of Lent.

1st Reading – Genesis 22:1-2,91,10-13,15-18

  • God tests Abraham by telling him to offer up his son Isaac as a holocaust.
  • Before Abraham can accomplish the task, God intervenes and blesses Abraham.

Psalm – 116:10,15-19

  • “I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.”
  • Even when we are afflicted, we serve the Lord with sacrifices of thanksgiving.

2nd Reading – Romans 8:31b-34

  • If God is for us, who can be against us? God acquits us.
  • Jesus Christ, who died and was raised, intercedes for us.

Gospel – Mark 9:2-10

  • Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain where he is transfigured before them.
  • Elijah and Moses appear, and a voice comes from a cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
  • Afterwards, Jesus tells the disciples to tell no one, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.

Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Lent (B, #26)

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Catholic Inspiration Archives