FR. JOHN RICCARDO, missionary and ACTS XXIX Executive Director. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1996. In 2019, after 23 years in parish ministry, he founded Acts XXIX to proclaim the gospel in an attractive and compelling way and to equip clergy and lay leaders for the age in which God has chosen us to live. Fr. John is a graduate of the University of Michigan, the Gregorian University, and the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.
Father John Riccardo has hosted 372 Episodes.
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Episode 373: Don’t Drift
March 9th, 2026 | 30 mins 37 secs
christianity, detroit, evangelization, fr. john riccardo, gospel, parish renewal, priest
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their series on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation. Today, they look at Jesus’ words to the Church in Thyatira and how relevant what He said to them so long ago is for us here and now.
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Episode 372: No Compromise
March 2nd, 2026 | 29 mins 30 secs
christianity, detroit, evangelization, fr. john riccardo, gospel, parish renewal, priest
Dear friends, please bear with us as we encountered some audio issues during this episode. We’re grateful for your patience and thank you for tuning in!
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In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their series on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation. Today, they look at Jesus’ words to the Church in Pergamum and His challenge to them and to us to repent of those places in our lives where we have served two masters. -
Episode 371: He Sees You and He Cares
February 23rd, 2026 | 31 mins 24 secs
christianity, detroit, evangelization, fr. john riccardo, gospel, parish renewal, priest
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their series on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation — Churches that are at one and the same time real places and symbolic of the Church in every age. Today, they look at Jesus’ words to the Church in Smyrna and see what it might mean for us.
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their series on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation — Churches that are at one and the same time real places and symbolic of the Church in every age. Today, they look at Jesus’ words to the Church in Smyrna and see what it might mean for us.
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Episode 370: An Exhortation and Encouragement from Jesus to Us As We Prepare for Lent
February 16th, 2026 | 30 mins 48 secs
christianity, detroit, evangelization, fr. john riccardo, gospel, parish renewal, priest
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their series on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation — Churches that are at one and the same time real places and symbolic of the Church in every age. Today, they look at Jesus’ words to the Church in Ephesus and see what it might mean for us.
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Episode 369: What Does Jesus Want to Say to Us?
February 9th, 2026 | 30 mins 35 secs
christianity, detroit, evangelization, fr. john riccardo, gospel, parish renewal, priest
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary introduce a series on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation — Churches that are at one and the same time real places and symbolic of the Church in every age.
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Episode 368: What Are They Saying About Us?
February 2nd, 2026 | 29 mins 10 secs
christianity, detroit, evangelization, fr. john riccardo, gospel, parish renewal, priest
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary offer a proposal to consider as a parish or church community for Lent based on this Sunday's Gospel from Matthew 5: 13-16.
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Episode 367: Building For the City of God
January 26th, 2026 | 31 mins 6 secs
christianity, detroit, evangelization, fr. john riccardo, gospel, parish renewal, priest
In this episode Fr. John and Mary break open the richness found inside just one line in the prayer Jesus taught us, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
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Episode 366: Learning to Pray as We Say Our Prayers
January 19th, 2026 | 22 mins 20 secs
christianity, detroit, evangelization, fr. john riccardo, gospel, parish renewal, priest
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary start a conversation about how common it can be for many of us to let our prayers become mere words and begin to break open in depth the prayer He taught us.
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Episode 365: An Invitation from God to Help Put His World Back Together
January 12th, 2026 | 11 mins 49 secs
christianity, detroit, evangelization, fr. john riccardo, gospel, parish renewal, priest
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary let everyone know when and how to register for ACTS XXIX’s big event of 2026: The Jesus Conference — Mobilizing the Church for the World He Loves!
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Episode 364: A Resolution That Will Change the World
January 5th, 2026 | 19 mins 14 secs
christianity, detroit, evangelization, fr. john riccardo, gospel, parish renewal, priest
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.
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Episode 363: The Holy Family Might Not Be What We Think
December 29th, 2025 | 27 mins 44 secs
christianity, detroit, evangelization, fr. john riccardo, gospel, parish renewal, priest
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.
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Episode 362: Speechless
December 22nd, 2025 | 22 mins 17 secs
christianity, detroit, evangelization, fr. john riccardo, gospel, parish renewal, priest
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!