Love God, Love Others, Share the Good News!

This Week's Letter From Father

Fourth Sunday of Lent C

March 30, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We continue the journey through Lent. Just as physical health is our year-round responsibility, so is our spiritual journey. Let us cooperate with God’s grace so this Sacred Season will be spiritually rewarding and fruitful for us. May we live in an awareness of being created in the image of the loving and caring God who is at work in us, leading us to wholeness.

This Fourth Sunday of Lent is called Laetare Sunday. Laetare (Rejoice) taken from the Latin translation of Isaiah 66: 10-11 puts us in joyful anticipation of the Paschal mystery.

The author of the second reading (2 Corinthians 5: 17-21) gives us another reason to rejoice: “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation.” We are a new creation because of our baptism into Christ. And now, through word and deed, we represent Christ as his ambassadors.

The Gospel reading (Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32) presents us with the parable of the Prodigal Son. Even though the younger son, who squandered his inheritance, is often referred to as the “prodigal”, there is no such word in the New Testament. Some scholars call the father, who has taken the older son for granted, “prodigal“. Other scholars consider the older jealous and angry son, “prodigal”.

Every parent can ask himself or herself: Do I tell my son or daughter that I love them and thank God for them daily? Do I take my child for granted? Am I grateful for all his or her work? Do I publicly give them credit for who they are and what they do? Do I favor one child over the other which creates tension in the family?

Siblings can ask themselves: Do I love my brother or sister? Do I tell them that I love and care for them? Embrace your brother or sister. Welcome them. Don't be jealous, angry or resentful.

Siblings can also ask: When was the last time, if ever, when I told my mom and dad that I love them and care for them? Do I take them for granted, like unpaid servants?

Every person, every family in order not to be “prodigal” has to regularly review relationships in their lives and bring them into line with Jesus’ teaching about love, respect, compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation. In all circumstances, we have to retain a warm heart and a cool head because we all, regardless of age and position within the family, can be selfsh, unbearable, angry, resentful, irresponsible and unforgiving.

Grudges, failing to forgive, bitterness and the likes can harm our wellbeing; leading to depression and anxiety; abuse of money, food, alcohol and drugs. On the other hand, forgiveness and reconciliation can bring us inner peace, lower blood pressure, decrease symptoms of depression and help overcome addiction.

“But now we must celebrate and rejoice” and not miss living in the now.

Every member of the family needs to take of his or her blinders and recognize a new chance to make their way toward each other. Catherine Upchurch recommends: “Commit yourself to attending to the now, the moment in which we live and breathe, the moment that calls for a response.” According to her: “Part of healthy spirituality is living in the present moment so we can open ourselves to its treasures.”

I encourage you to attend The Road, a Lenten Journey, offered by our Director of Faith Formation, Michele Roberts. I truly enjoyed the frst session consisting of prayer, refection, singing and contemporary music played by the new band which is not named yet. Don't miss it. It is a faith experience for the whole parish family.

Please, pray for our Catechumens (Francis Fritz Sleigher Jr, Charles Preston Styron) and candidates (Gustavo Stoehrer, Gustavo F. Stoehrer Jr, Kai L. Hall) who prepare through the OCIA program to begin their new lives as active members of the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil.

Pray also for Jennifer Earles who prepares for the Sacrament of Confirmation. She will be confrmed during the Easter Vigil as well. May she be a faithful follower of the Lord.

We had a great turnout for our Lenten Penance Service. I am grateful to Fathers David Miller, Jim Buchholz, Erik Reyes, Steven Costello and Vic Gournas for their assistance with confessions.

Thank you, Marie and Spencer Olsen. I can’t express how grateful I am for the delicious lunch and dessert you treated me to. Your thoughtfulness brightened my day in more ways than one.

Pope Francis returned to the Vatican after a five week stay in the hospital. He still needs our prayers. Let us also pray for all who are unwell.

With blessings,

Fr. Ryszard

Welcome Message

Greetings in Christ Jesus!

Whether you are just visiting for a short while, have moved here and are joining our parish, or are returning to your Catholic Faith, on behalf of our parish community, we welcome you to St. Egbert Catholic Church and the beautiful Crystal Coast of North Carolina.

When Jesus was asked which of all the commandments was the greatest, he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great, and first commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” These two Commandments form the foundation of our mission to Love God, Love Neighbor, and to Share the Good News.