God's Playbook

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...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we dive into the question: What is a diocese? We explore how the Catholic Church is structured around the world, with each acre of land falling under a specific diocese led by a bishop. Father Rico explains the vital role dioceses play in caring for the spiritual needs of both Catholics and the wider community, using his own Diocese of St. Cat...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr Rico reflects on John 13:12–20 and the powerful moment when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. This act of humble service is more than a symbolic gesture—it’s a model for how we are called to serve others with joy, not reluctance. Jesus reminds us that true leadership is rooted in humility and love, and that we are never greater than t...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr. Rico introduces us to a deeply moving and ancient prayer of the Church—the Anima Christi Prayer. Prayed after receiving Jesus in Holy Communion, this 14th-century prayer invites us to reflect on the presence of Christ within us—body, blood, soul, and divinity. Fr. Rico shares how this prayer is part of his own post-Communion devotion and e...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we reflect on Jesus’ words in John 16:23-28, where he tells us, “If you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” But what does it really mean to ask in Jesus’ name? Father Rico helps us unpack this powerful promise, reminding us that prayer isn’t about getting everything we want—it’s about aligning our hearts with God’s...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we explore the powerful question: Why does the resurrected Jesus still bear his wounds? Reflecting on the encounter with Thomas and the eyewitnesses at the foot of the cross, Father Rico helps us understand how these wounds serve as Christ’s divine signature—proof of both his identity and his love. Far from being a mark of shame, Jesus’ wounds...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we reflect on the powerful moment in John 13 when Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. More than just a symbolic gesture, this act reveals the heart of servant leadership and calls us to love in concrete, often humbling ways. Father Rico unpacks how Jesus' willingness to take on the role of a servant challenges us to do the same for on...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we tackle a question many Christians have asked: if it’s called the Old Testament, does it still matter? Father Rico shares how the Old Testament lays the foundation for our understanding of God’s saving work, long before the birth of Jesus. Through stories, laws, prophets, psalms, and promises, we see God's love and faithfulness woven th...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode explores the beautiful Catholic tradition of crowning the Blessed Virgin Mary. As we continue through the Easter season and the month of May—a month devoted to Mary—we reflect on how this act of crowning honours her as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Rooted in early Church tradition and tied to the fifth glorious mystery of the Rosary, the crowning is a gesture of our l...

Send us Fan Mail As we continue our Easter journey in the month of May—a time especially dedicated to Our Blessed Mother—we take time today to explore the Church’s teaching on the Immaculate Conception. Many confuse it with the conception of Jesus, but it actually refers to Mary’s own conception in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne, where she was preserved from original sin. In this episode, we r...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we continue our journey through the many titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary by focusing on Our Lady of Good Counsel. As the patroness of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, this title reminds us of Mary’s deep connection to the will of God and her desire to guide us in making wise, righteous decisions. Through her powerful intercession and e...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we explore the many beautiful names and titles given to the Blessed Virgin Mary. From Our Lady of Fatima to Our Lady of Guadalupe, each title reflects a unique way Mary has appeared to the faithful, drawing us closer to her Son through her powerful intercession. These names aren't separate identities—they all point to the same loving Moth...

Send us Fan Mail On this Saturday in the month of May, a time especially devoted to Our Blessed Mother, we reflect on the deep significance of Mary's virginity. In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we explore why the Church teaches that Mary remained ever-virgin and what that means for our understanding of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine. Her virginity is not just a theological de...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we continue our journey through the month of May by reflecting on Mary as the Queen of Peace. Inspired by Sunday’s Gospel—“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me”—we look to Mary as the perfect model of trust and calm in the face of life’s storms. Whether enduring the loss of St. Joseph or witnessing her Son’s s...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we reflect on the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother through the moving image of La Pietà—Michelangelo’s breathtaking sculpture of Mary cradling the lifeless body of Jesus. This image speaks to the sixth sorrow of Mary’s heart: the death of her Son. For anyone who has experienced grief, especially the pain of losing a child, this epis...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we dive into one of the most common questions Catholics get asked: Why do we pray to Mary? As we enter the beautiful month of May, dedicated to our Blessed Mother, we take time to explain the difference between worship and intercession—and why Mary, chosen by God to be the Mother of Jesus, holds such a special place in our faith. We don’t wors...

Send us Fan Mail Today on God’s Playbook, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Fatima and reflect on the timeless call of Mama Mary to pray for peace—peace in our hearts, our families, our nations, and our world. As we recall her powerful apparitions to the three shepherd children in Fatima, we’re reminded that this message remains as urgent today as it was then. From global conflicts to personal...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we reflect on the true peace that only Jesus can offer—a peace not as the world gives, but as only the Risen Christ can provide. Throughout the Easter season, Jesus greets his followers with “Peace be with you,” calming their fears and restoring their hearts. We, too, need that same peace in the face of uncertainty, suffering, and fear. Join u...

Send us Fan Mail  In today’s episode of God’s Playbook , we reflect on the beautiful vocation of motherhood as we prepare to celebrate Mother's Day. From biological moms to spiritual mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and all women who lovingly nurture others, we honor their selfless sacrifices and deep love. We also turn to our Heavenly Mother, Mama Mary, as the perfect example of faith, str...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to God’s Playbook! In today’s episode, we reflect on the powerful image Jesus uses in Scripture—a mother enduring labour pains for the joy of new life. As we approach Mother's Day, we explore the beauty of sacrificial love, not only in childbirth but in all the "labour pains" we experience in life. Whether you're carrying a cross today or rememberi...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to God’s Playbook! In this historic episode, we joyfully celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th successor of Saint Peter. Born in Chicago and rooted in Augustinian spirituality, Cardinal Robert Prevost now takes up the mantle as our new Holy Father—chosen by God to lead the Church in humility, service, and love. Today, we take a deeper look into his backgro...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to God’s Playbook as we enter another day of anticipation in this historic week for the Church. While the world awaits the white smoke signaling our next Holy Father, we are reminded that God often speaks not in haste, but in silence. In today’s episode, we reflect on the sacred process of the conclave, the discipline and prayer behind each vote, and how we are called...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to God’s Playbook on this historic week in the life of the Church. Today, the Cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to begin the sacred process of electing the next pope—the 267th successor of St. Peter. While the world may view this as a political moment, we as Catholics understand it as a deeply spiritual one, led by the Holy Spirit. Join us in prayer as we reflect...

Send us Fan Mail Today on God's Playbook, we reflect on the beautiful tradition of offering May flowers to our Blessed Mother as a sign of love, gratitude, and devotion. Whether in thanksgiving for graces received or in anticipation of future storms, these simple flowers symbolize our deep bond with Mary and our trust in her intercession. As we continue through the month of May, let us renew...

Send us Fan Mail Today on God’s Playbook, we explore the difference between hearing, listening, and truly pondering God’s word. As we continue through the month of May, we look to Mary—our model of discipleship—who didn’t just hear God’s word, but pondered it deeply in her heart. In the Gospel, Jesus prepares the disciples for what’s to come, and we ask: are we merely hearing these words, or allow...