From 1985 to 1987, he was both parish administrator of Holy Rosary Parish and vice-chancellor of the diocese. In 1987, Ricken went to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a Licentiate of Canon Law in 1989.
From 1985 to 1987, Ricken was responsible for Holy Rosary Parish and served as vice-chancellor. In 1987, he relocated to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome to study canon law, earning a Licentiate of Canon Law in 1989.