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The Interior Liturgy of the Our Father

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The Path of Renewal

The Ordinary Path to Holiness

Videos, Links and Resources

Renewal through Devotion to the Our Father, prayed in the Sacred Heart of Christ

Author, Ministry, Presentations

R. Thomas Richard, Ph.D., has earned degrees in ministry and theology, as well as in physics. He has taught at the college, high school and middle school levels, has served as a Protestant pastor, and in missionary work living among migrant farmworkers. After much study and prayer he returned to the Catholic Church, earning a graduate degree in Catholic theology and ministry. He has served the Church in lay ministry
as parish director of religious education,
as parish director of evangelization and adult catechesis,
as diocesan director of lay ministry and deacon formation, and as retreat and programs director for a major Catholic retreat center.

He is currently devoting his time, together with his wife, to retreats, conferences, presentations and writing.

An interview with Thomas by Marcus Grodi, on EWTN's
The Journey Home, can be listened to with RealPlayer.
Deborah Richard has served the Church in many years of teaching, ministry and spiritual counsel. She has taught at all levels of education, from elementary school to college, and has wide experience in religious education and formation for children and for adults, at all age levels. She has ministered especially among the poor in the inner city and among migrant farm laborers. She has worked in lay and deacon formation at the diocesan level. She has conducted retreats, presentations and days of recollection for lay men and women, couples, deacons, deacon candidates and deacon wives.

Thomas and Deborah Richard are available to parishes and dioceses for missions, presentations and retreats that could help toward renewal. Contact can be made through Fidelis Publications.

To date, some of the places at which Thomas and Deborah Richard have given presentations:

Places

Types of Presentations

Servants of Mary and Joseph Lay Carmelite Community, Simpsonville SC Day of Recollection: The Interior Liturgy of the Our Father and Teresa's Interior Castle
Sacred Heart Parish, Groton, CT Parish Mission. Theme: The Interior Liturgy of the Our Father, and Mary, our Mother and Companion in the Liturgy.
St. Mark Parish, Westbrook, CT Day of Reflection on The Interior Liturgy of the Our Father.
St. Lawrence Parish, Killingworth, CT Evening Presentations: The Interior Liturgy, and Mary our Mother and Companion in the Liturgy.
St. Peter's Church, Beaufort, SC Parish series of Saturday "Days of Reflection" on particular Catholic themes; Days of Reflection for various Ministry groups, Adult Formation Classes, Workshop for Catholic School Faculty
St. Francis by the Sea Church, Hilton Head, SC Evening of Reflection on Prayer and the Interior Life
Holy Family Church, Hilton Head, SC Day of Reflection on The Ordinary Path of Holiness
Daughters of St. Paul Bookstore, Charleston, SC Presentations on the book, The Ordinary Path To Holiness
St. Francis by the Sea Church, Hilton Head, SC Workshop on "Catholic Identity" for Catholic School Faculty
EWTN Television "The Journey Home" and "Bookmark" TV Programs featured R. Thomas Richard. On "Bookmark" both The Ordinary Path to Holiness and The Interior Liturgy of the Our Father have been featured on two separate programs.
Holy Apostles Seminary, Cromwell, CT Retreats and Days of Reflection for Seminarians; Ongoing Formation for Deacon Candidates of the Diocese of Norwich
St. Edmond's Retreat, Mystic, CT Retreats and Days of Reflection for various groups; Ongoing Formation for Lay Ministry Candidates for the Diocese of Norwich
Cathedral of St. Patrick's, Norwich, CT Presentations to Pre-Cana couples
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, CT Day of Reflection for Wives of Deacon Candidates
York Correctional Institution, Niantic, CT Days of Reflection for the women prisoners: one for maximum security, one for the general population.
St. Mary's Church, Baltic, CT Presentations to Youth Group and also to Adult Groups
Sacred Heart School, CT Presentations to PTO and Youth Groups
Institute for Spirituality Convocation of the Archdiocese of NY, Bronx, NY Presentation on Prayer and Grace in Times of Spiritual Crisis
Pius X Church, Westerly, RI Nine week series for the parish on The Ordinary Path to Holiness
Secular Franciscans, Oakdale, CT Presentations on Prayer and Catholic Spirituality

A Few Comments:


"Thomas and Deborah Richard provide retreatants with a depth of theological and spiritual reflection that inspires and educates. This deeply committed Catholic couple witnesses to the love of Christ for His people by their lives of simple, humble service. Thought-provoking presentations are the hallmark of their programs."

- Fr. Thomas F.X. Hoar, SSE, Director of St. Edmund's Retreat, Mystic, CT


Deborah and Thomas - The Lay Carmelites of SC would like to thank you for a wonderful spirit-filled Day of Recollection. The correlation of the Our Father and Interior Castles was truly enlightening for all. Everyone commented that they were so happy to have your books available to purchase. This will allow us to read and digest the materials more deeply and have a better understanding of this spiritual journey we are all on. God bless you both in your ministry.

- Patricia Whitlock, Regional Coordinator of SC & NC

The Richards have opened my eyes to the Lord's Prayer in such a marvelous way that I'll never be able to pray it in the same way again. Thank you, Thomas and Deborah, for such rich soul food - and God bless you in your grace-filled ministry.

- Pastor, Sacred Heart Church, Groton CT

"I want to say thank you, Thomas and Deborah, for such an inspiring presentation. You know that we are to live so that others can see Christ in us, and we were all allowed to see this as you both carried us through the program. Step by step you took us and presented the liturgical information so that it all made sense: how the proclaiming of the word was not an act in itself, but a gathering-in of all present to lead us to the full reception of the Eucharist. Like the apostles on the way to Emmaus, my eyes were opened. I saw Christ in the two of you and your message. I strongly recommend this day of reflection to all parishioners, so that they may understand and enjoy the celebration of the Mass more fully. I would not change any part of the day."

- Jimmie Savarese Chair of the Liturgical Committee, St. Peter' Church

I'm so glad I was able to attend your "Renew The Church!" It was so inspiring - I will never say the "Our Father" in the same way. It means so much more now....

A.N., Parishioner, St. Mark Church


"Thank you so very much for making our Ladies Day of Recollection here at Holy Family so meaningful this year! We continue to hear many positive comments on your wonderful program, and I know that many are now reading your book! What a wealth of information and inspiration it includes -- it truly is a beautiful roadmap for our own journeys. We appreciate so much your giving of your time and of yourself, and we enjoyed getting to know both you and Deborah. Please let us know when your next book on the Lord's Prayer is available, as much interest was also expressed in that! Again, thank you for being such a blessing to us! We will look forward to staying in touch with you."

- Kathy Donnelly, Ladies Guild Chair, Holy Family Church


"We have been blessed to have participated in numerous retreats, conferences and lectures presented by Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Richard. Thomas and Deborah have a keen sense of the proper role of the laity in the Church and an appreciation of how the laity builds up the Body of Christ through their response to the universal call to holiness. They are a faith-filled couple - true witnesses to Christian marriage, a positive example of Christian unity in today's darkened world. Each brings a unique gift to audiences, challenging both minds and hearts with their complementary approaches. Always faithful to the Magisterium, Thomas's and Deborah's presentations are sure to awaken hearts, inspire minds and stir up a thirst for wisdom and holiness. Their thoughtful reflections inspire us to change our hearts, turn to God and build up the Church. "I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts." (Ezek 36:26)"

- Mark King, Permanent Deacon, Diocese of Norwich


"Why attend adult catechesis? Dr. Thomas Richard is presenting a series on the Gospel of John for the parish. His knowledge of the scriptures and the traditions of the Church have helped to enlighten and inspire many of us in the parish. God wants us to know the Word and to study His Scriptures. We have a wonderful opportunity at St. Peter's to learn from this theologian and teacher and should take advantage of this. Thank you, Dr. Richard."

- Thomas Hetherington, St. Peter's Parishioner

"What a gift are these Days of Reflection, opening us to the mysteries of Faith. I earnestly recommend the Days of Reflection offered by Dr. Thomas and Deborah Richard. To date I have attended the one for catechists and the one on the Mass. The presentations in both Days were rich with quotes from Scripture, Catechism and Church Documents, and Tradition, including an abundance of quotes from the saints, and their experiences. The presenters are passionate, sincere and inspired in their message. They are animated with enthusiasm and humor. As the two presenters alternate talks, participants are kept engaged. The format was well-paced with 40 min. sessions, followed by breaks for prayer and reflection. After lunch, a facilitated small group discussion prepared for summary and specific application ideas in a closing large group discussion. The Days reflection culminated with a Closing Prayer including meaningful intercessions. Thank you."

- Barbara Stanley, DRE, St. Peter's Catholic Church, Beaufort, SC


"Permit me to express my appreciation for the "Listening to the Gospel of John" series that Dr. Thomas Richard is presenting. It is proving to be an enlightening series. I am pleased that St. Peter's has made Adult Education such a priority. We are very fortunate to have someone with Dr. Richard's expertise and background to be in charge of Adult Education at St. Peter's."

- Michael Brannen, St. Peter's Parishioner


"Over the years, we have learned the hard way that faith must be nurtured like a plant which grows large and strong when actively cultivated and, conversely, which tends to weaken and even die, when it receives only weekly ritual attention. We cannot say enough about the refreshing presentations conducted by Thomas and Deborah Richard. Their well-prepared discussions and supporting materials have increased the scope and depth of our knowledge about Catholic teaching while correcting many surprisingly common misconceptions. Held to only one hour, what we learned in these sessions leaves us better prepared to explain and defend our faith."

- John and Charlene Sprague, St. Peter's Parishioners

 

At a recent Ignited by Truth Conference, Deborah explains our ministry for Church renewal - parish missions and presentations to help members grow in the life of prayer.
At the Ignited by Truth Conference, Thomas points out a passage of The Interior Liturgy of the Our Father