You Were Born for This with Fr. John Riccardo

In their first episode for 2026, Fr. John and Mary extend an invitation to consider so as to build momentum around a movement to bring hope and renewal to our parishes, neighborhoods, universities and more. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission We...

In this episode, in light of the Feast of the Holy Family, Fr. John and Mary talk honestly about family—the blessings, the wounds, and the ache many carry into holidays and gatherings. Looking at Jesus’ own family life in the Gospels, we discover that the Holy Family is bigger than we think, and that Jesus understands the complexity of our relationships, offering us hope and consolation. Connect w...

In this episode to prepare us for the great celebrations of Christmas, Fr. John and Mary attempt to put into words several ways to help us better understand events and mysteries that are truly beyond all telling. Merry Christmas, everyone! Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) ACTS...

For this 4th Sunday of Advent, Fr. John and Mary reflect on Joseph and John the Baptist as examples of people the Lord allowed to experience great confusion in their lives, but who also exemplify astounding trust in the God for whom nothing is impossible. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@act...

On this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Fr. John and Mary hold up our Lady as the model for radical trust and surrender to God, and discuss how oftentimes our good and holy plans might need to be discarded if God has another and better plan. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@a...

As we continue our way through these first few weeks of Advent and our focus on the coming of the King, Jesus, Fr. John and Mary offer some thoughts and Scripture passages to pray with on the power of Jesus’ name. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mis...

As we prepare for the 1st Sunday of Advent and the start of the Church Year, Fr. John and Mary step back and invite us to consider God’s design for creating the human race so as to better understand the mission that belongs to us all as the Church. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.o...

Father John and Mary invite us to reflect on and prepare for that real day when each of us is going to stand face to face in front of Jesus and be judged by Him who is the King of the Universe and hear one of two things. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing...

Fr. John and Mary invite us to learn a lesson from the beauty and wonder of creation all around us as we await the real and glorious day of the King’s return. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission Web: https://www.actsxxix.org Instagram: @acts.xxi...

On this feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Fr. John and Mary explain what this feast is about, and then reflect on the readings assigned for this feast in general, before highlighting several key themes in Psalm 46. ========================== Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@ac...

In this episode for All Souls Day, Fr. John invites Mary to share her experience of standing at the entrance of the valley of death, and what it was that gave her strength at that time. They then invite us to ask ourselves if we know the Good Shepherd, and what we’re going to do today to get ready for the day of our death. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simp...

In this episode, Fr. John and Mary break open Psalm 34, highlighting the beautiful reality that God is the most attentive listener there is and encourages us to imitate Him. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission Web: https://www.actsxxix.org Insta...

In this episode, Fr. John and Mary break open Psalm 121 and invite us to breathe and reflect upon the steady assurance of God’s all powerful and loving presence with us. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission Web: https://www.actsxxix.org Instagram...

In this episode, mindful of so many things that are tempting us right now to discouragement, Fr. John and Mary discuss for what and how we can praise God, and what precisely praise can do to demolish discouragement. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for M...

In this episode, Fr. John and Mary discuss how the Psalms help us to exercise various spiritual “muscles,” training us to get in shape and become the men and women God created us to be and that we want to be. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission...

In this episode, against the backdrop of all that’s taking place in our country, Fr. John and Mary seek God’s wisdom and help from His Word. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission Web: https://www.actsxxix.org Instagram: @acts.xxix Facebook: @ACTSX...

In this episode, as Fr. John and Mary discuss Psalm 113, they reflect on how important it is to see ourselves as being among “the poor.” Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission Web: https://www.actsxxix.org Instagram: @acts.xxix Facebook: @ACTSXXIXm...

In this episode, Fr. John and Mary break open Psalm 78, the Psalm for this coming Sunday, encouraging us to teach to those entrusted to our charge the great things He has done, and to consider how we’re personally responding to His extravagant mercy and patience in our own lives. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix....

After the traumatic events that took place last week in Minnesota, Fr. John and Mary reflect on the anguish many of us are experiencing in light of Scripture in general, the Psalms in particular and Saint Augustine. ========================== Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) A...

In this episode, Fr. John and Mary share the exciting news about the Jesus Conference – Mobilizing the Church for the World He Loves, ACTS XXIX’s first international gathering happening in Plymouth, Michigan on October 2-4, 2026. https://www.actsxxix.org/thejesusconference Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](m...

In this episode, Fr. John and Mary conclude their series on being able to relive great memories of the past with friends and prayerfully apply those great memories to the mission God is entrusting to us today. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org ) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission...

In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their series drawing on the common experience many of us have of reliving great memories of the past with friends and prayerfully apply those great memories to the mission God is entrusting to us today. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org...

In this episode, Fr. John and Mary begin a series that draws on the common experience many of us have of reliving great memories of the past with friends and prayerfully apply those great memories to the mission God is entrusting to us today. ========================== Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ mission@actsxxix.org ](mailt...

In this episode, Fr. John and Mary bring their three-part series on their apostolic values to a close by talking about the importance of being docile to the Holy Spirit and choosing to sail instead of row on mission. They reflect on what it means to let go of control, allowing the Spirit to set the course, trusting His power over our own efforts. Connect with us and our community on our websites a...

In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their three-part conversation about ACTS XXIX’s apostolic core values, focusing today on what it means to do mission in a way that’s authentically human. Drawing from Scripture and their own experiences, they share what it means to do life together. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [ miss...