God's Playbook

Send us Fan Mail Today is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi! In today’s episode, we reflect on the incredible gift of the Eucharist—Jesus’ true body, blood, soul, and divinity given to us in Holy Communion. This isn’t just a symbol; it’s God Himself, nourishing us with heavenly food for the journey of life. Join Father Rico as he explores how we can grow in reverence, gratitude, and love for the Euc...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we welcome a special guest—Fr. Michael Basque, a diocesan priest from the Diocese of St. Catharines. Fr. Michael shares his inspiring journey to the priesthood, from his early days growing up in Oshawa to his time wrestling with faith, doubt, and discernment. Through personal stories and honest reflections, he offers a glimpse into the joys an...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to God’s Playbook! In today’s episode, we dive into the Gospel of Matthew and reflect on Jesus’ powerful words: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Why did Jesus choose someone like Matthew? And what does that teach us about God’s mercy and our call to be compassionate toward others? Join Fr. Rico as he unpacks what it really means to be merciful—especially when it’s har...

Send us Fan Mail Today, we're reflecting on the gift of work—how God blesses us with the ability to earn a living, develop our talents, and care for ourselves and others. Whether you're employed, underemployed, or seeking meaningful work, this episode reminds us that our jobs are not just about income—they're opportunities to serve, grow, and give thanks. Join Fr. Rico as we explore...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to God’s Playbook . Today we reflect on one of Jesus’ most powerful prayers from the Cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Suffering is something we often try to avoid, yet Jesus invites us to embrace it, offering our pain as a gift of grace. In this episode, Fr. Rico explores how uniting our suffering with Christ’s can lead to healing, redemp...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we step into the spiritual classroom to reflect on Christ as our one true Teacher and ourselves as His students. Drawing from the Gospel of Matthew, Fr. Rico explores the significance of allowing Jesus—not ourselves or others—to set the standard, offer instruction, and guide our growth in faith. With the imagery of school life, we’re reminded that discipleship...

Send us Fan Mail Today on God’s Playbook, we’re diving into the idea of the common good—a teaching at the heart of our Catholic faith. What does it mean to truly live for the good of all, not just ourselves? We'll look at how the Catechism breaks it down and how everyday actions—from driving safely to how we shop—can reflect God’s call to care for one another. Let’s explore how choosing the c...

Send us Fan Mail Happy Solemnity of the Holy Trinity! Today on God’s Playbook, we’re diving into one of the most beautiful and mysterious parts of our faith—how three persons are one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Rather than unpacking the deep theology, Fr. Rico reflects on the practical ways we experience the Trinity in our daily lives and prayer. From creation to the sacraments, we see how...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we’re diving into an important question: What is moral law? Moral law, or natural law, comes directly from God and always takes priority over human laws, no matter where we live. Whether it's topics like abortion, euthanasia, or capital punishment, God’s law guides us to protect life and uphold human dignity at every stage. Let’s take a closer look at what...

Send us Fan Mail Today on God’s Playbook, we’re celebrating the feast of one of the most beloved saints in the Church—St. Anthony of Padua! While many know him as the go-to saint when something’s lost (yes, even your car keys!), he was much more than that. A powerful preacher, a Franciscan priest, and a doctor of the Church, St. Anthony had a deep love for Jesus and a passion for sharing the Gospe...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we’re answering the question: What are the precepts of the Church? These five core teachings help guide us in how we’re meant to live as faithful Catholics—from attending Mass every Sunday to making time for confession, fasting, and supporting the Church. We’ll break down each one and see how they challenge and shape our spiritual lives. If you’ve been looking...

Send us Fan Mail Today is a special day on God’s Playbook—we’re celebrating Fr. Rico’s 14th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood! June 11, 2011, marked the beginning of a beautiful vocation rooted in service, love, and faith. In today’s episode, Fr. Rico reflects on the blessings of the priesthood, the gift of serving God’s people, and the joy of saying "yes" to God’s call. This i...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode takes us back to Mount Sinai as we hear God give Moses the Ten Commandments—rules not meant to restrict us, but to guide us. Just like a good coach gives a game plan for success, God gives us these commandments as a framework for holiness. They help us grow in our relationship with Him and with each other. Let’s revisit these divine laws and ask ourselves: are we u...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we journey with Moses to Mount Sinai, where thunder shook the mountain and fire revealed God’s powerful presence. The Church invites us to reflect on this awe-filled encounter and how it mirrors what happens at every Mass—where the priest, like Moses, stands as a bridge between God and His people. Whether it’s a grand cathedral or a small parish church, every t...

Send us Fan Mail Happy Birthday, Church! Today we celebrate Pentecost—the day the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and the apostles, and the day the Church was born. Just like the apostles in the upper room, we may feel fear or hesitation, but the Holy Spirit meets us there, ready to renew and send us out with joy and courage. So let’s celebrate with gratitude, passion, and fire in our hearts—because th...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode is all about sacred space—because when Moses met God in the burning bush, he was standing on holy ground… and so are we every time we walk into church. Just like Moses, we’re called to recognize the presence of God and respond with reverence and awe. Church isn’t just a place to gather—it’s God’s house, where heaven touches earth. Let’s explore what it means to tre...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever caught yourself thinking you know exactly what God should do next? In today’s episode, we’re diving into St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, where we’re reminded just how deep, rich, and beyond us God’s wisdom truly is. We explore what it means to trust in God’s bigger picture—even when we don’t fully understand it—and how we can grow in faith by leaning into humility....

Send us Fan Mail Today, we're asking a big question—what’s heaven worth to ya? In the Gospel, Jesus uses powerful images to show us just how precious the kingdom of heaven really is—like treasure in a field or a pearl of great price. It’s not about giving up everything just for the sake of sacrifice, but recognizing that heaven is worth everything we have. So let’s reflect together on the way...

Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re diving into the Ten Commandments as we go through the book of Exodus. These aren’t just rules meant to restrict us—they’re God’s way of guiding us, shaping our hearts, and helping us stay on the right path. Think of them like a spiritual game plan, giving us clarity on how to live well with God and with others. So let’s take a fresh look at these commandments and ask...

Send us Fan Mail Today we're taking a closer look at something we often do without thinking—prayer. In the daily readings, Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer, and it's the perfect chance to reflect: Am I actually paying attention to what I’m saying when I pray? We're diving into how being truly present in our prayer—not just going through the motions—can deepen our relationship with G...

Send us Fan Mail Yesterday was the Feast of the Ascension, and today we’re talking about how it’s celebrated a bit differently in Canada and the U.S. While American Catholics go to Mass on Ascension Thursday, Canadian Catholics celebrate it on the following Sunday. It’s not about winning gold medals—just a difference in how our bishops guide us through the liturgical year. No matter the day, the A...

Send us Fan Mail Following yesterday’s reflection on religious sisters, today’s episode of God’s Playbook focuses on the often unsung heroes of the Church—religious brothers. These men are not priests, but they dedicate their lives to prayer, community, and service through a vocation to religious life. Whether teaching, working in retreat ministries, or living in monasteries and houses of prayer,...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we delve into the distinctive and profound role of religious sisters within the Church. Building on our recent conversation about monasteries, convents, and cloisters, we now turn to the everyday mission and vocation of religious women. From founding schools and hospitals to teaching the faith, praying in community, and serving those most in n...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Father Rico follows up on yesterday’s discussion of monasteries by exploring the rich meaning and purpose of a convent. Often associated with religious sisters or nuns, convents are sacred spaces where women live in community, united by a shared spirituality and a deep commitment to prayer, charity, and simplicity. From active convents to encl...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Father Rico explores the meaning and purpose of a monastery—a sacred space where monks or nuns dedicate their lives to prayer, work, and community. Drawing from the example of Saint Bonaventure and others, we learn how monasteries are built to foster deep spiritual devotion while remaining largely apart from the world. Whether through praying...