Knowing Jesus is the best gift that any person can receive.

That we've encountered him as the best thing that's happened in our lives,

and making him known by our word and deeds is our greatest joy.

Ave Maria Radio presents Christ is the answer with Father John Ricardo.

He's a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit and is currently the executive director of a non-profit organization called Acts 29,

which exists to work with pastors on their teams to transform their parish culture and reclaim the church's missionary identity.

He was ordained in 1996.

In 2013, Father Ricardo presented this four-even

mission titled, Lord, I Believe, Help My Unbelief. With over a thousand Christians from

Our Lady of Good Council Parish and others nearby, the worship space was all but filled. With

very subdued light, the mission began with music. From the darkness, we start

with a testimony by one of the parishioners who was seated in the congregation.

My dad is fond of saying, God has no grandchildren. This was actually a bit of a disappointment

to me. Wouldn't that make life easy if we could just slide into heaven on the coattails of those we love who know the

Lord. My parents were both born and raised Catholic, and their faith was important to them.

Around the time I was in third grade, though, a major life event opened the door for them to a more

active faith. Their best friends were in a tragic car accident that directly led them to become

involved in the Catholic charismatic renewal,

and ultimately my dad was ordained a permanent deacon.

My parents knew deep and active faith life brought many wonderful people into our lives.

Most of their friends were those who made God the center of everything they did.

I trusted and loved all these people I knew were believers.

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