A gifted and captivating speaker, preacher, retreat master and author, Father Larry
Richards holds the answer to some of life’s most profound questions. He speaks from
experience as a pastor of an inner city parish, a high school chaplain, a counselor and
evangelist. Fr. Larry Richards has directed hundreds of Retreats, Parish Missions and
Conferences for young and old alike. His inspirational talks and presentations, always
authentic and enthusiastic, have changed the hearts, minds, and lives of millions of
listeners worldwide. He continues to accept invitations for speaking engagements all over
the United States and in Canada and has recently traveled abroad to continue his mission
of evangelization.
Father Larry Richards was born on March 26, 1960, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He
entered St. Mark High School Seminary, Erie, Pennsylvania, at the age of 17. After high
school, Father Larry attended the college Seminary at Gannon University and received
his Bachelor of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling in 1983.
Continuing his studies at the Major Seminary at St. Vincent in Latrobe, Pennsylvania,
Father Larry Richards received his Masters of Divinity degree in 1987. He will soon
conclude his studies and be awarded a Master of Arts degree in Liturgy from the
University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.
Ordained to the priesthood on April 21, 1989 for the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania,
Father Larry Richards has served as Pastor of St. Joseph Church/Bread of Life
Community, also in Erie, since July 1, 2002. In addition, Father is the spiritual director
of the TEC (To Encounter Christ) Retreat Program for the Diocese of Erie.
On August 30, 2004, in the midst of his many commitments to his parishioners, to the
TEC community, and to traveling around the United States for Parish Missions, Retreats,
and Conferences, Father Larry founded and is president of “The Reason For Our Hope
Foundation,” a non-profit organization dedicated to ‘spreading the Good News’ by
educating others about Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith through CDs and DVDs, as
well as promoting Catholic speakers who are effective instruments of evangelization. In
turn, the foundation will support charities that strive to make real the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
He has recorded many talks on all aspects of the Catholic Faith for individual and smallgroup
instruction, all of which are available on The Reason for Our Hope website at
www.TheReasonForOurHope.com. Since the inception of the Foundation, Father Larry
has also recorded CDs and DVDs entitled “The Truth”, “Confession”, “The Mass
Explained”, “Knowing God’s Will”, “Prayer”, “Living in the Holy Spirit”, “Be a Man”,
and “What More Could He Do For You”. Father Larry’s live presentation of “What
More Could He Do For You?”, a dramatic explanation of the Passion of Jesus, is riveting;
the DVD of this presentation is, without a doubt, the most moving re-enactment of the
Passion one can view. Father Larry will be adding to the list of available presentations
on a regular basis. These CDs and DVDs may also be secured on the foundation
website at www.TheReasonForOurHope.com.
Father Larry’s first book, “Be a Man! Becoming the Man God Created You To Be” was
published by Ignatius Press in October of 2009, and was the #1 best seller by Ignatius
Press in 2010. In “Be a Man!” he recounts his struggles to learn true manhood, as well
as the inspiring stories of others he has served in his decades as a priest. He tells men
how to focus on the right goal, how to live as a beloved son of God, of the need to
acknowledge one's faults and to live according to the Holy Spirit, to be a man of true love
and of wisdom, to appreciate properly the differences between men and women, to
pursue holiness, and to make a difference in the world. Not preachy but direct, Father
Larry challenges men to be strong, without putting on a mask of false strength or
machismo. He calls men to admit their weaknesses and limitations, while urging them to
find strength in faith and genuine love to overcome their sins and faults.
Father Larry’s second book, “Surrender! The Life-Changing Power of Doing God’s Will”
was published by Our Sunday Visitor in September of 2011. Fr. Larry Richards
challenges you to let go of attachments, assumptions and excuses that hold you back from
giving yourself more fully to God, in order to receive everything God wants to give you.
Father Larry Richards hosts a radio show called “Changed Forever with Father Larry
Richards”. It can be heard nationwide on Relevant Radio on Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
ET/7:00 p.m. CT, and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. ET/10:00 a.m. CT. For more information,
or to listen on-line, go to www.relevantradio.com.
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