Assumption Church Podcast

Connection is important. Belonging matters. Listen to Friar Rick share about the power of relationship. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org

Preached at Festa Italiana in Syracuse, Friar Rick shows us that Sofia Petrillo of the Golden Girls can teach us something about God’s ridiculous love for us. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org

Jesus makes some hard demands of us in this Sunday’s gospel. In his message, Friar Rick talks about his experience watching the film “The Hundred-Foot Journey”, and how that gave perspective on what Jesus asks of us. We have to consider what price are we willing to pay to live with joy and peace. Are we willing to set aside our desires? Can we lay down our need to be right? Will we ask for perspec...

Sharing on the Sunday readings, our pastor, Friar Rick, reminds us of the importance of giving our love and mercy to others as it was given to us. We know that all good things are given to us by God, and that if we are going to answer the call to be Jesus to others, we must freely give of ourselves. We also reminded that we are enough, that God loves us and is pleased with us. Connect with us onli...

Deacon Phil shares from the Sunday readings on Jesus’ call to live out kingdom values. Phil challenges us to practice radical hospitality and that our relationship with the Lord has to be more than just an hour on Sundays. If we want to pass through the narrow gate, we have to make everything about our lives a direct image of Jesus. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org

Friar Rick shares from the Sunday readings on how God calls us to trust in His perfect plan. We don’t know what He has in store for us, but we know that He will not abandon us and that He is with us. We are called to live like Jesus, trust radically, and take a leap of faith. God desires us more than anything, the only thing getting in the way is ourselves Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org...

In a special message for this Sunday, the Very Rev. Fr. James McCurry, OFC Conv. (who is the Minister Provincial for our province) welcomes our new FrancisCorps members. He then exhorts them, along with us, on the importance of service and compassion. We are called to make room for these things, and that sometimes involves stripping ourselves of possession, just like St. Francis did, to make room...

Our Pastor, Friar Rick, shares about his love for cologne and how our desire for more things makes less room for God. There’s nothing wrong with having nice things, and those are blessings. But, when we place too much value on them and try and wedge them into the God-shaped hole in our hearts, we come up lacking every time. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org  

This Sunday, we were joined by Fr. Anthony Joseph Rex of the diocese of Kumbakonam in India. Fr. Anthony shared about letting the forgiveness that God shows us pass on to others and the need to acknowledge God for His love and help. He then shared about the ongoing missionary efforts in his diocese. If you’d like to learn more about the diocese of Kumbakonam, please visit them online: http://dioce...

This Sunday, our Vicar Provincial, Friar Michael Heine, shares on the beauty of service and presence. We encounter Jesus when we come to Him in prayer and in the sacraments. We also encounter Him in serving others. These two things aren’t mutually exclusive, but go hand in hand. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org  

Friar Juan shares this week’s message on how we are called to love God, love others, and love ourselves. As disciples, Jesus teaches us to love without expectation or reservation. As we hear from Friar Juan, that may take a deeper understanding and a wider definition of who our neighbor is. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org  

Reflecting on this week’s gospel reading, Friar Rick shares on how we are called by Jesus to bring His love and presence to our community. We are reminded that regardless of our circumstances, we are called, and that we can impact others in ways we can’t possibly understand. God has equipped us to do a great work, not just by ourselves, but as servants working together as well. Connect with us onl...

We all like to know what’s coming next. We like to know that things are going according to plan. Diving into this week’s readings at Mass, Friar Rick shares about his own desire to have a plan, and how God constantly provides, even when things don’t go according to our plan. We simply need to place our trust in Jesus and know that His plan is always best. God’s big picture is a good picture, and H...

This weekend, as we celebrate Corpus Christi, Deacon Phil shares how Jesus wants us to see that everything we need is in HIm. We don’t have to look elsewhere to be fed and cared for. We only need to see that Jesus is right in front of us. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org  

This week, our pastor, Friar Rick, shares on the powerful nature of God as we experience Him in the Trinity. He shares with us powerful memories of visiting the ocean, and how the ocean is the perfect metaphor for God. We see the vast, powerful force of God in the Father. Jesus comes into our lives like the waves, crashing into us with His love. The Holy Spirit pulls us away from those things that...

Our pastor, Friar Rick, gives us insight into what exactly the Holy Spirit is doing in our reading from Acts 2 for Pentecost. He highlights the importance of language, and how being able to understand and receive the gospel message in your own tongue is a gift we can’t discount. God desires us so much that He wants to make Himself as accessible to us as possible. He desires to make His home within...

Reflecting on this week’s readings, Friar Nader shares about his experiences in baby sitting, relates it to the disciples experience in how to live after Jesus’ death and resurrection. We also hear about the need to rely on God and be willing to place Him at the center of our lives. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org  

 05/19/19 - Friar Rick - Home Our pastor, Friar Rick, preaches on the importance of home, where we find our home, and how God makes His home within us. God also invites us to make our home within His heart. We know if God has made home in us when we experience comfort, peace, joy, security and love. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org  

05/12/19 - Friar Rick - A Mother's Love On Mother's Day, Friar Rick teaches on the Good Shepherd and how we need to be able to trust in God, be able to recognize His voice and where Jesus is in our lives. He also share memories of his relationship with his mom. He also shares about the love of a mother, and how God our father gives us maternal, nurturing love as well.   Connect with us online...

05/11/19 - Friar Nader - Follow Me  Friar Nader shares on Jesus words as the Good Shepherd. He also shares on Mary as an example to mothers, not to be perfect, but to be faithful. We should always be open to hearing the shepherd's voice, even if it comes from a place we may not expect. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org  

05/05/19 - Friar Nader - The God of Second Chances Friar Nader shares about Jesus being the God of second chances, sharing on how Jesus loves us no matter the circumstances, meeting us where we are at. We hear Jesus ask Peter three times if he loves Him, which is Jesus calling Peter back to Him and to change how he loves.  Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org  

04/28/19 - Deacon Phil - My Lord and My God Deacon Phil teaches on our weekend readings, focusing on following Jesus as our true north. All we need to do is follow Him and our lives can radically change. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org  

04/21/19 - Friar Nader - Easter Sunday He is risen! Alleluia! Friar Nader delivers our Easter Sunday message about the joy of the resurrection and life everlasting in Jesus Christ. All we need to gain this new life is start over with Jesus as the focus of all we do. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org  

04/07/19 - Friar Rick - Forgiveness Friar Rick teaches on the all-encompassing love and forgiveness of Jesus. He also speaks on the issue of violence against women, the nature of sin, closed hearts, and the damage of gossip. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org  

04/06/19 - Friar Nader - The First Stone   Friar Nader teaches on the story of the woman caught in adultery. We learn that Jesus doesn’t keep a list of our wrongdoings to hold over our heads, that He doesn’t condemn, but liberates and forgives. He tells us to “go and sin no more”, which also means to forgive ourselves and living differently. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org