Love God, Love Others, Share the Good News!

This Week's Letter From Father

Second Sunday of Easter C                     

April 27, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We celebrated a meaningful Paschal Triduum at St. Egbert. I was happy to see you prayerfully embracing the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Beautiful decorations enhanced the sanctuary as the sound of music reverberated joyfully inside the church building.

I prayed that the risen Christ filled each of you with hope in your hearts for days to come. I also prayed that however you connected with your family, whether near or far, you were surrounded by love, happiness and laughter.

This Sunday’s Gospel reading is about “doubting” Thomas. Very few people know that the name Thomas means Twin. Famous artists made Thomas a subject of their art: Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt, Del Verrocchio and many others.

Thomas is unjustly singled out as “doubting” because other Apostles of Jesus doubted His resurrection as well (Mark 16.11.14; Matthew 28:17; Luke 24: 9-11). On the contrary, Thomas is the first to acknowledge Jesus’ Divinity: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

Jesus was open to Thomas’ skepticism by patiently showing him His wounds. Faith and reason walk hand in hand. Doubting encourages searching and reaching mature faith.

Many biblical figures and Saints wrestled with their faith: Moses, David, Jonah, Elijah, John the Baptist, Peter the Apostle, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, St. Paul of the Cross, St. Teresa of Calcutta, just to mention some.

Saint Augustine of Hippo wrote: “Doubt is but another element of faith”. According to Miguel de Unamuno “Faith which doesn't doubt is dead faith”. And Saint Giuseppe Moscati said: “Whatever happens, remember… God doesn't abandon anyone”. 

                                                                             …..

I am saddened at the passing of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and Argentine Pope in the history of the Catholic Church. During his 12-year pontificate he was dedicated to promoting God's mercy, care of the environment, and reform of the Church. May God grant him eternal life.

Thank you to all our liturgical decorators, musicians, cantors, choirs, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers and greeters for making the Holy Week and Easter beautiful and meaningful.

Congratulations to our first Communion Class! May you always have the Lord in your hearts. May the Lord make the Day of your First Communion spiritually meaningful for you and your families.

Thank you to our catechists for preparing them to receive the Sacrament.

I prepared Claire Katherine Kelly and William Curtis Gillikin II for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. They are a beautiful couple who will be married at Precious Blood of Christ Church in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Claire and Bill, may you have many beautiful years together. I am happy for you!

Thank you, Michele Roberts. I am so grateful for the delicious lunch and your company. You are a fantastic Director of Faith Formation! New programs are happening now because of your faith and enthusiasm! Parishioners tell me what a wonderful person you are! Our Parish loves and appreciates you!

Thank you, Chris Kline, for cooking for me your delicious potato leek soup. Nothing like a hearty bowl of soup. So very thoughtful of you.

Thank you, Marilyn and Steven Vogios, for the delicious Easter dinner. I enjoyed your company and the presence of Marilyn’s sister, Linda, and your friend, Joanne. I am very grateful to you for sharing your Easter meal with me! Christos anesti!

Thank you, the Graduating Class of St. Egbert Catholic School, for your beautifully hand painted Easter Cards. I hope you had a great Easter, saw a lot of friends and family, and enjoyed the warm weather. You work so hard. I will miss you after you graduate.

Thursday, May 1, is the National Day of Prayer. What is prayer? It is not magic or something we do in churches, sanctuaries or before meals. It is not just words or fixed postures. Prayer is an ongoing relationship between us and God. Prayer is trust.

Our prayer rises from our life experiences, hopes, disappointments and so on. When we pray sincerely our prayer deepens our closeness to the Divine, one another and creation.

Father Richard Rohr explains: “Prayer is not primarily saying words or thinking thoughts. It is, rather, a stance. It is a way of living in the Presence, living in awareness of the Presence, and even of enjoying the Presence.”

Let us pray without ceasing for one another and creation.

Happy National Day of Prayer,

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.