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.