June: The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

               This Week's Letter From Father

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity               

May 31, 2026
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. We believe that our God is Trinity, a communion of three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three persons are equal, inseparable, eternal, and distinct. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit share the same essence or substance. There are not three gods; rather, one God exists in three persons, who act both independently and in unity.
 
The term “Trinity” does not appear in the Sacred Scriptures. Tertullian (145-220) was the first early Christian theologian to state the doctrine of the Trinity using the Latin term “Trinitas” (Trinity). He was also the first to develop the formula “one substance in three persons.”
 
We often say that the Trinity is a mystery. St. Augustine of Hyppo (354-430) wisely noted in his homily: “If you understood Him, it would not be God.”
 
Throughout the history of the Church, theologians and believers have struggled to explain the doctrine of the Trinity. Here are some analogies that illustrate the concept of the Triune God.
 
St. Irenaeus (c.130-c.200) describes the Son and the Spirit as two hands of God the Father at work in creation. He also states: “The Spirit prepares human beings for the Son of God; the Son leads them to the Father; and the Father grants them immortality … The Spirit works, the Son fulfills His ministry, and the Father approves.”
 
The Cappadocian Fathers: Saints Basil the Great (330-389), Gregory of Nazianzus (329-389), and Gregory of Nyssa (c.331-c.395), used the “speaker-word” analogy to explain the relationship among the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In this analogy, the Father is likened to the speaker who articulates the word, represented by the Son. The Son is considered the word because he is spoken by the Father, the speaker. The Holy Spirit is described as the breath the Father exhales when he speaks the word.
 
Saint Augustine of Hyppo encouraged the faithful to love the Trinity. He emphasized that “the Trinity creates, the Trinity redeems, and the Trinity sanctifies.” Augustine identified the Father as Being, the Son as Consciousness, and the Spirit as Love. He also described the Father as the Lover, the Son as the Beloved, and the Spirit as the mutual Love shared between the Father and the Son.
 
St. Gertrude of Helfta (1256-c.1302), a Saxon Benedictine nun recognized as one of the greatest mystics of the 13th century, experienced the Most Holy Trinity in the following ways: she perceived God the Father as Almighty, God the Son as Inscrutable Wisdom, and the Holy Spirit as God’s Benevolence.
 
St. Mechtild of Hackeborn (1241-1298) was another Saxon Benedictine nun renowned for her mystical insights. In a vision, the Blessed Mother instructed her to recite three Hail Marys each day in honor of the Most Holy Trinity: “In the first Hail Mary, remember the power received from the Eternal Father; in the second, the wisdom received from the Son; and in the third, the love that has filed the Holy Spirit.”
 
Our second reading (2 Corinthians 13:11-13) admonishes us to live in peace and harmony and to encourage one another to become better Christians.
 
We must remember that, just as we believe in God, God also believes in us!
                             …..
I was truly honored to celebrate the Nuptial Mass for Martin Reyes Ramirez and Delia Cortes Ramirez last Saturday as they entered into Holy Matrimony. They make such a lovely couple, and the ceremony was filled with joy and prayers. May the Lord Jesus shower them with blessings, good health and a happy life together.
 
I would like to extend my gratitude to Linda and Steven Burhardt for the lovely German dinner. I truly enjoyed your company and the delicious meal. I am very happy that you feed our feathered friends and squirrels in your garden.
 
Additionally, I want to give a big thank you to Monica and Tom Phillips for the wonderful job they did on designing, planting, and cultivating our Prayer Garden. It adds so much to our parish family. It is a tranquil and inviting place for us to offer our prayers. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Prayer Garden. When you see Monica and Tom, please let them know what a fantastic job they have accomplished.
 
On another note, Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas” was published last Monday. It addresses artificial intelligence, its ethical, social, and economic implications, highlighting it as one of the significant moral challenges of our time. The encyclical addresses human identity, new forms of colonization and slavery, just war theory and world peace. Pope Leo emphasizes the urgent need to “disarm” AI and redirect its focus towards upholding human dignity, promoting the common good, and international peace.
 
The exhilarating climbing season in the Himalayas has wrapped up, and we’re thrilled to celebrate Bartek Ziemski’s groundbreaking achievement. This adventurous Polish skier and mountaineer has made history as the first person to complete ski descents from nine of the 14 tallest peaks worldwide. Most impressively, he recently skied down from the summits of Everest and Lhotse to base camp, all without supplemental oxygen. Bartek carried his own tent, gear, and food up and down the mountains relying solely on his skills without a support team, or drones. His remarkable accomplishments have rightfully garnered widespread admiration. What an inspiration for adventurers everywhere.
 
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Let us always meet each other with a smile , for a smile is the beginning of love.” And Phyllis Diller also remarked, “A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.”
 
Today is National Smile Day, so be sure to share your smile with others.
 
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.