Meet the Caretaker of Hope House Retreat Center and our Staff from The Reason For Our Hope Foundation who assist in the operations at the facility…
Rich Raid – Caretaker
Ralph Toy – Caretaker
Father Larry Richards – Founder
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 founder of the DME (Divine Mercy Encounter) 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 small-group 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, having sold over 100,000 copies worldwide. 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 and has sold over 40,000 copies. 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.
In 2014, a Catholic Men’s Bible, NABRE, with introduction and instructions by Fr. Larry was published by Our Sunday Visitor. A Scripture Desk Calendar entitled “No Bible, No Breakfast! No Bible, No Bed!” containing both morning and evening Scripture passages and encouraging words from Fr. Larry, was published by The Word Among Us in 2014.
Father Larry can be seen on the EWTN televised programs “Living Right with Dr. Ray” and “Crossing the Goal”. EWTN broadcasts a Mini-Series entitled “Be A Man” in 2014 in five episodes to inspire men to become the true heroes they long to be – men of courage, compassion and integrity.
Father hosts the EWTN internet radio show called “The Reason For Our Hope” on Mondays and Fridays at 1:00 p.m. (EST), and the EWTN radio show called “Father Knows Best” on Mondays and Fridays at 4:00 a.m. (EST), and was a previous favorite on the live EWTN radio show called “Open Line” on Thursdays.
You can email Fr. Larry at office@thereasonforourhope.org
Moe Trabold – Executive Director
You can email Moe at mtrabold@thereasonforourhope.org
Sara Snidarich – Executive Assistant
You can email Sara at office@thereasonforourhope.org
Nancy Murray – Finance Director
You can email Nancy at nancy@thereasonforourhope.org