Lenten Penance Service

Love God, Love Others, Share the Good News!

    This Week's Letter From Father

Third Sunday of Lent A                   

March 8, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we come together to celebrate the Eucharist on this Third Sunday of Lent, we hear the story of Jesus meeting the unnamed Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well near the town of Sychar. The detail of the meeting occurring at noon should be understood symbolically. It does not mean that Jesus and the Samaritan woman met at noon. In the Gospel of John, light represents belief, while darkness signifies the opposite. Jesus is present to the woman as the embodiment of light, the One who is all light.

The Jews regarded the Samaritans as impure and heretical, resulting in a strict prohibition against contact with them. By asking the Samaritan woman for a drink, Jesus transcended the ethnic and religious divides that separated the “chosen” people (the Jews) from the “rejected” Samaritans. He also defied social conventions by conversing with a woman.

The Samaritans had built their own temple on Mount Gerizim that rivaled the temple in Jerusalem. This Samaritan temple was destroyed by Jewish soldiers in 128 B.C.E.

The meeting between the Samaritan woman and Jesus shows how enmity can be transformed into friendship. Both individuals had to shed their deep-rooted stereotypes of one another. They began to engage in conversation and were willing to confront objections from their communities, leading to a profound transformation and conversion. The water that Jesus offers symbolizes not only faith but also the cleansing of ignorance and fear.

Just as the unnamed Samaritan woman did, we should continually ask Jesus, “Give me this water, sir.” The sincere pursuit of faith helps us support honest, hardworking immigrants in our country while pushing back against the government's false rhetoric and divisive narratives. The persecution of migrants and the killing of innocent American citizens by federal agents are grave crimes that demand our attention. Together, let’s pray that the Holy Spirit inspires positive change and renewal in our country, fostering love and unity.

Let’s embrace inclusivity and welcome everyone, seeing Christ in each person we meet. As followers of Jesus, we have the wonderful opportunity to inspire communities across the United States to honor and respect every individual, regardless of legal status. Together, we can build a truly compassionate world.

                                                                               …..

We had a great turnout for our Lenten Penance Service. I am very grateful to my brother priests for their assistance in hearing confessions.

We had a delightful evening at Pita Plate, thanks to the incredibly talented chefs, Rouaida and Khalil Haddad. They hosted an unforgettable biblical dinner for our parishioners. Our taste buds were treated to an array of delicious dishes, including:

1. Charoset- crafted with sweet dates, rich kosher wine, plump raisins, and zesty bitter herbs, elegantly topped with kosher salt, dates, and pomegranate molasses. 2. Fresh unleavened bread served alongside a fragrant olive oil and thyme dip. 3. Hearty bean and lentil stews. 4. A vibrant selection of dried figs, apricots, and crunchy walnuts. 5. Flavorful lamb. 6. Refreshing red wine mixed with water.

The tables sparkled with lovely decorations. The plates were beautifully presented, and the air was filled with music that resonated with the spirit of Jesus. We all cherished the wonderful camaraderie and joy of the evening.

A heartfelt thank you to Marie and Spencer Olsen, and Sandra and Bob Shackleford,

for a delightful dinner. It was a wonderful evening spent over a delicious meal and the pleasure of your company.

Thank you, Pat Brennen, for the delicious bread you baked for me. Do you make different varieties of bread? It was a nice and welcome surprise.

This weekend, the clocks moved forward by one hour, marking the start of daylight-saving time. I prefer longer daylight hours to long, dark evenings. Natural light is ideal for reading and sightseeing.

Today is International Women’s Day. When I lived in Poland, it was customary for men to give flowers and small gifts to their mothers, wives, significant others, girlfriends, friends and colleagues on March 8th. Even schoolboys participated in the celebration, mimicking adults by honoring their female teachers and classmates, much like Prince Charming.

Let’s celebrate women’s achievements in the economic, cultural, social, and political spheres. As we know, women are neither adequately recognized nor given credit for their talents, expertise, and professionalism, nor are they equally remunerated in the civil and corporate worlds.

Equal rights are not special rights; they are fundamental rights for everyone. Margaret Fuller (1810-1850), an American journalist, critic, and advocate for women’s rights associated with the American transcendentalist movement, passionately wrote in her work “Women in the Nineteenth Century” that women can excel in any role. “If you ask me what offices they may fill, I reply- any.” Amen to that!

Happy Women’s Day,



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.