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At St. Egbert Catholic Parish, we invite you to become part of our vibrant community. If you're interested in joining us, please navigate to the 'About' tab above. There, you will find our Registration Forms located under the 'Already a Frequent Visitor' section. After completing the form, you can either bring it to the Parish Office or conveniently scan and email it to churchadmin@stegbert.org. We look forward to welcoming you!

October: The Month of the Holy Rosary

               This Week's Letter From Father

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time A                     

October 18, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today's Gospel reading from Matthew 22:15-21 invites us to reflect on what receives most of our time, resources, and attention. Are we being truthful with God, or do we place Him at the bottom of our priorities? This Sunday offers a wonderful opportunity to realign our priorities and strengthen our bond.

The Pharisees sought to challenge Jesus, hoping to undermine His influence. They approached the situation as a strategic hunt, sending their disciples with the Herodians to corner Him. Their goal was to force Him into a position that would alienate Him from either the Roman authorities or His enthusiastic supporters.

To disarm Jesus, the Pharisees pretended to respect him as a sincere and honest teacher before asking, "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?"

During Jesus's time, every individual under Roman rule had to pay the census (poll) tax in Roman currency. 

The Pharisees in first-century Palestine opposed paying taxes because they believed it violated God's law. In contrast, the Herodians, Jewish supporters of Herod and allies of Rome, argued that taxes should be paid to the Roman government. 

The Pharisees sought to accuse Jesus of breaking God's law, while the Herodians sought to accuse him of violating Roman law. 

Jesus masterfully addressed the challenge by asking the Pharisees for a Roman coin, which they promptly produced. This moment revealed their reliance on the forbidden currency, which they kept readily accessible despite their public disapproval, highlighting a paradox and hypocrisy in their beliefs. 

In the Gospel reading, Jesus' opponents are cunning. They orchestrate a confrontation to provoke Jesus into rebelling against Roman rule, yet they themselves benefit from the Roman government. Therefore, Jesus' response does not address the issue of paying taxes.

By saying, "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God," Jesus urges his opponents to stop pretending and to abandon their duplicity. Their main issue is deception. While they outwardly pretend to show him respect, they also pretend to honor God. As a result, they are being dishonest with God. 

Since they are created in God's image and likeness, they are meant to belong to Him. However, a disconnect exists between their worship and their true intentions. They act as though they are sincere, yet they show duplicity in the Temple, in their interpretations of Sacred Scripture and the law, and in all their actions. They are actors playing their roles rather than truly believing. They pray, but in reality, they are merely pretending.

Today, Jesus invites us to embrace authenticity and shed pretense. The core issue is honesty. While some may outwardly show respect for God, true devotion requires sincerity.

Let us earnestly seek to truly belong to God rather than merely pretending while living inauthentically. When our prayers arise from genuine faith, they become powerful and meaningful, deepening our connection with God and uplifting our spirits.

St. Lawrence of Brindisi wrote: "We are made in the image and likeness of God. So you, O Christian, because you are a human being, are God's tribute money, a little coin bearing the image and likeness of the divine emperor. Therefore, with Christ I ask, 'Whose likeness and inscription is this?' Your answer is God's, to which I reply, 'Then why not give God what belongs to him?' We bear the imprint of your glorious face, O Lord."

                                                                    .....

Please pray for Pope Leo XIV, who recently had surgery to remove a nodule from one of his lungs. Please also keep in your prayers our parishioners who are suffering from various diseases and illnesses. They need our prayers, too. 

Because we live on the Crystal Coast, we don't get to enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage. Our oak, cedar, and pine trees stay green nearly all year. If you get the chance, head to the mountains now, before the colorful leaves fall.

Put on your dancing shoes and join us at Pita Plate on November 15th at 6 pm. for dancing and great cuisine. All proceeds will benefit our church. Many thanks to Michele Roberts, Rouaida Haddad, and Khalil Haddad for organizing this event. 

Thank you, Luisa Yannello, for the cookies. I enjoyed them with my tea. Your kindness is much appreciated.

Thank you, Mary Barber, for the beautiful squirrel stamps. It was so kind of you to get them for me. Squirrels, along with birds, are my favorite outdoor pets. 

Thank you, Chris Kline, for the delicious osso bucco. I enjoyed it for dinner. It was very thoughtful of you to think of me and treat me to such a culinary delight. 

Blessed Pauline Jaricot founded the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in 1822, paving the way for World Mission Sunday, established by Pope Pius XI in 1926. Celebrated each year on October 18, this special occasion brings us together as a global family and unites us in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in mission territories. Let’s support and pray for the dedicated missionaries and the communities they serve across Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, and Europe. Our involvement makes a real difference.

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.