Rev. Msgr. Philip Ricci

We met Fr. Ricci in his 88th year while he was living at the family home in Conshy and we were staying across the street helping to care for our newborn grandchild. My husband looked out the window one afternoon to see an older man intending to ascend a tall stepladder with trimming shears in hand. Dave being 6´3" and considerably younger rushed outside to suggest it might be much easier for him to trim the top of the large shrub at the edge of the driveway. Fr. Ricci smiled broadly and remarked with great enthusiasm how much he would appreciate the assistance. Thus a new friendship began. Several days later, Fr. Ricci came to our door offering a large, homegrown potted basil plant from his garden as well as a beautiful, hand carved statue of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, and a lovely handwritten note offering his prayers and blessings for our newborn grandson and his parents. It was so touching and thoughtful and seemed like an outsized thanks for a small assistance with the shrub. For several weeks that fall, I saw Fr. Ricci almost every day walking around town, up and down the streets and hills in his heavy, hooded barncoat. He told me stories of growing up in Conshy, his parents purchase of the family home and his great delight in being able to return there now in his later years. He was such a grateful and humble man. Our friendship continued and I called him on the phone to ask for prayers on several occasions. He always ended the call with a lovely and spontaneous prayer that was deeply touching and full of faith in God. He talked a little about his life but he was so sharp and so kind and so selfless that he always turned the conversation back to our concerns. Over these past 3 years, he has written on several occasions and I loved recognizing his beautiful script on the envelopes and his very personalized messages inside. Thank you Fr. Ricci for your love, friendship and inspiring example. May you delight in tending God´s garden alongside the angels and may all your basil plants bloom as fully as your life! God Bless you good and faithful servant. Maggie and Dave Smith

He was a great organizer and a great human being. I was one of the original workers mowing all that farmland with the old farm tractor. He was so proud of the Church when it was completed.
He was a man of many talents and very busy, but never too busy to share time with you. He was a very humble and simple man who would share his garden of vegtables with you.
I am sure he is now home with our Lord sharing the joys of heaven!!!

We are so sad to learn of Monsignor Ricci´s passing. He married us in the farmhouse chapel of Mary Mother the Redeemer as the church was still being built. That was 35 years ago. We met up with Monsignor Ricci 3 years ago when he said my cousin´s funeral mass. He was a wonderful man & will be missed.

Msgr. Ricci was truly a faithful priest who served our Lord in such a loving and caring way. I´ll never forget when he came to my home when my husband passed and prayed together with my family and friends. You were truly a loving apostle and an angel of God. Well done Msgr! You will never be forgotten . Love the Meyrick Family.

Blessed to have know Msgr since the day I was born. Simply the best person I´ve ever known. RIP Father Phil. Bill Irwin

Father Ricci was the most kind and caring priest. He was beside my family through sad and happy times even when we were new to the MMR family he shepherded. To paraphrase "Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, help us share in the work of redemption" as Father Ricci did. I know he is with his Lord, playing the piano for the saints and angels and keeping all of us in his prayers. I will always remember Father Ricci with love.

Remembering Msgr Ricci who exemplified the Spirit of Christ. He loved God and spread that love throughout his ministry. His devotion to Mary was evident with the naming of his beloved parish, Mary Mother if the Redeemer. His impact on my spiritual life was a gift. May he rest in peace.

I will always hear Monsignor Ricci´s voice to the scripture:
May the LORD bless you, and keep you; May the LORD make his face shine to upon you, and be gracious to you; May the LORD turn his face to you and grant you peace.

May Father Ricci enjoy his eternity with Our Lord, having been a faithful witness to Jesus Christ, spreading the Good News wherever he went on this earth.

What a blessing it was to grow up at MMR with the witness of this good, faithful priest as our shepherd.

He told us he would always be just Father Ricci... a priest who was motivated by his love for Jesus, especially in the Holy Eucharist. May he praise God in His heaven forever with all the love joy in his heart!