Love God, Love Others, Share the Good News!

This Week's Letter From Father

Fifth Sunday of Easter C

May 18, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are in the fifth week of the Easter Season. Thus far we have accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey to various locations in Asia Minor. Journeying with them, we realized how many hardships, resistance, adversity and rejections they had to undergo. At the same time, we witnessed the joyful work of the Holy Spirit and growth of the new church communities.

In good times and terrible moments during their missionary ministry, both Paul and Barnabas showed great courage and enthusiasm in proclaiming the gospel of the Lord. They persevered because their faith gave them purpose in life, and hope for dwelling with God in heaven.

As you remember, Saul/ Paul was introduced after his conversion to the apostles by Barnabas. The latter ones feared Saul because of his zealous persecution of the followers of Jesus. Afterwards, Barnabas accompanied Paul to Asia Minor on Paul’s first missionary journey.

The name Barnabas was given to him by the apostles. Before that, Barnabas had been known as Joseph. He was a Hellenic Jew from Cyprus who sold his estate and ofered the proceeds to the apostles to distribute them to the needy of the Jerusalem church where he lived.

Today’s first reading (Acts 14:21 - 27) describes the end of Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey which started in Antioch. Along with Mark, Paul and Barnabas went on to Cyprus, Pamphylia and Pisidia where they proclaimed the good news. Each place they went to, “they strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith.” They also founded new churches and appointed elders to lead the communities there. Through the grace of God, more and more people embraced the faith.

Like Paul, Barnabas and Mark, we too, are to strengthen each other so we can persevere in faith. Like them, we are to share our faith with believers and non-believers.

Let us keep in mind, we are all on the same journey to heaven. We are all sojourners.

Our second reading (Revelation 21: 1-5) presents us with John’s vision of a new heaven and a new earth. Chaos and evil, symbolized by the sea, have disappeared. Death and sufering have also been eliminated. There is a total and unquestionable victory of life over death and creation over chaos. “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.”

The new Jerusalem is not Jerusalem in Israel. It is God’s kingdom among us.

In the Gospel reading (John 13: 31-33, 34-35), Jesus gives the apostles and us, a new commandment. “Love one another … This is how all will know that you are my disciple, if you have love for one another.”

The mark of our being Jesus’ disciples is love. Others will know Jesus’ presence on earth by our loving acts of kindness, compassion and willingness to forgive.

                                                                           ……

Let us pray for Leo XIV as he is formally installed as Pope today during his inaugural public Mass in St. Peter’s Square. After his election, Leo XIV uttered: “I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, ‘With you I am Christian, for you a bishop.’ So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.”

Thank you, Kathleen Donaldson for a tasty meal of Coq au vin. I still remember how favorable it was.

I was invited to Mother’s Day dinner “even though I am not a mother.” Thank you, Rouaida, Khalil and Sophia Haddad, for having me at your house and enjoying your company and savory lamb risotto.

Thank you, Bridget and Bob Stubblefield, for treating me to another cup of cappuccino. I always enjoy our conversations and admire your love for squirrels and birds. You are great neighbors!

We need 10 adult volunteers to help finish a new Habitat home on May 20th. Please help.

Adults are invited to join in delicious food and conversation at the Cooking Club meeting next Wednesday, May 21st. Please, join us for dinner and a night of fun.

Congratulations St. Egbert Class of 2025. I am looking forward to your graduation and celebrating your achievements next Friday.

This year’s climbing season on Mount Everest is in full swing. Kami Rita Sherpa, who holds the current record of 30 summits, is attempting his 31st Everest summit.

With prayers,

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.