Fr. Larry R. Richards

Father Lawrence R. Richards, also known as Father Larry, (born March 26, 1960) is a speaker, Catholic priest, retreat master, and author. He is currently the pastor at Saint Joseph Church/Bread of Life Community and the Founder of The Reason for Our Hope Foundation, both in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Early Life and Education-
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Father Larry discovered his vocation at the age of 17. He would visit The Church of the Epiphany in Pittsburgh every day. Knelling before the Blessed Sacrament, he one day heard God say to him, “Be a Priest.” He attended St. Mark Seminary in Erie, Pennsylvania while attending college at Gannon University. He graduated from Gannon University with a Bachelor of Science in Mental Health in 1983. Fr. Larry continued his studies at the major seminary in St. Vincent in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where he received his Masters of Divinity in 1987.
Priesthood-
On April 21, 1989 Fr. Larry was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Erie. After his ordination, Fr. Larry was appointed the parochial vicar at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Erie, Pennsylvania. Later, he served in the same capacity at St. Bernard Parish in Bradford, Pennsylvania and St. Luke Parish in Erie. He was the campus minister for the University Pittsburgh at Bradford and at Penn State Behrend in Erie. For 10 years Fr. Larry taught at Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie and became a moderator at the Bread of Life Community. In 2002, the Bread of Life Community merged with St. Joseph Church in Erie and became St. Joseph Church/Bread of Life Community. Fr. Larry continues to be the Pastor of Saint Joseph Church/Bread of Life Community.
Divine Mercy Encounter Retreat Program-
In March, 1996, Fr. Larry brought the nationally known “Teens Encounter Christ” (TEC) conference to the Erie Diocese. TEC was a weekend retreat to challenge attendees to encounter Christ through the message of Divine Mercy. In the beginning the retreat traveled around the Diocese, but in the early 2000’s found a permanent home at St. Joseph Church/Bread of Life Community, Fr. Larry’s home Parish. In 2012, Fr. Larry started the “Divine Mercy Encounter” (DME) program which continues to be held four times a year.
The Reason for Our Hope Foundation-
Fr. Larry founded The Reason for Our Hope Foundation on August 30, 2004, in answer to 1 Peter 3:15: “Always be ready to given an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” The purpose of the Foundation is to fulfill the command of Christ to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The mission of the Foundation is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and His Church through various multi-media resources and to make available Catholic speakers who are effective instruments of this evangelization. Father Larry conducts Parish Missions throughout the United States and Canada, and speaks at Conferences and retreats. Fr. Larry has recorded many talks on various aspects of the Catholic Faith for individual and small-group based instruction, and has written two books. His talks and books have been distributed worldwide.
Fr. Larry’s ministry has an online presence and be found on social media sites such as Blogspot, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest, where he posts his daily Scripture verses, updates on speaking engagements, and other information.
The Foundation also has resources from other Catholic speakers including Robert Rogers, Susan Yurkiewicz, Sonja Corbitt, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, and Monsignor James Peterson.
Speaker-
Fr. Larry has recorded the following talks:
The Truth (2005), Confession (2005), Be a Man! (2010), Surrender! (2012), Mass Explained (2005), What More Could He Do For You? (2016), Knowing God’s Will (2016), Prayer (2009), Living in the Holy Spirit (2007), Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled (2011), The Family (2012), It is Mercy I Desire (2015), Knowing Jesus and His Church (2016), Parish Mission (2011)
Be a Man! and Surrender!
Father Larry has written two books that have gone on to be bestsellers. His first book entitled Be a Man! Becoming the Man God Created You to Be was published by Ignatius Press in October of 2009. In Be a Man! Fr. Larry recounts his struggles to learn true manhood, as well as the inspiring stories of others he has served in his decades as priest.
His second book Surrender! The Life Changing Power of Doing God’s Will was published by Our Sunday Visitor in September of 2011. In Surrender! Fr. Larry challenges readers to let go of attachments, assumptions, and excuses that hold you back from giving yourself more fully to God.
Other Publications-
Fr. Larry has also released a Catholic’s Men’s Bible (NABRE) published by Our Sunday Visitor. A Scripture Desk Calendar entitled “No Bible, No Breakfast! No Bible, No Bed!” published by The Word Among Us. Both of these publications were released in 2014.
Eternal Word Television Network-
Father Larry hosts the EWTN radio show called “The Reason for Our Hope” and a second radio show called “Fathers Know Best.” Father also hosts a live EWTN radio show called “Open Line” on the topic of Evangelization.
Father Larry Richards hosts a radio show called “Changed Forever with Father Larry Richards”. It can be heard nationwide on Relevant Radio.
Hope House Retreat Center-
The Reason for Our Hope Foundation owns and operates a retreat center in Union City, Pennsylvania called Hope House Retreat Center. The retreat center was founded originally in 1979 by Monsignor James Peterson and was called Avila Retreat Center. Following Msgr. Peterson’s death on May 13, 2013, the Avila House was donated to The Reason for Our Hope Foundation.
After major renovations, the doors to the Hope House Retreat Center were officially opened on December 5, 2015 and the first retreat was held on January 30, 2016. The Hope House Retreat Center’s mission coincides with the Mission of The Reason for Our Hope Foundation.
22:32 Men and 1:38 Women-
In 2013 Fr. Larry met with a core group to start a group called 22:32 Men. Their name is based off the Bible Verse Luke 22:32 — “But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers”. The main goal of the group is to hold a yearly Men’s Conference in the city of Erie. Past speakers at the Conference have included Danny Abramowicz, Bishop Lawrence Perisco, Ray Guarendi, Jesse Romero, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Tim Staples, Matt Birk, and Deacon Ralph Poyo. In 2017 the Conference speakers included Justin Fatica, Captain Guy Gruters, and Gary Zimak.
Following the success of the 22:32 Men, Fr. Larry started the 1:38 Women. Their name is based off of the Virgin Mary’s Fiat from Luke 1:38, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your Word”. Each year, the 1:38 Women host a Women’s Conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Their past speakers have included Kitty Cleveland, Sonja Corbitt, Kelly Walquist, Leah Darrow, Teresa Tomeo, Mother Mary Assumpta Long, Michele Faehnle, Emily Jaminet, and Sr. Marie Catherine.
Fr. Larry has spoken at both groups’ Conferences and has served as Master of Ceremonies.

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