Love God, Love Others, Share the Good News!

    This Week's Letter From Father

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time A

February 1, 2026 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

Today’s Gospel reading highlights Jesus’ renewed Sermon on the Mount. This sermon serves as a

guiding principle for Christian living, encouraging us to improve and grow closer to God. It calls us to

strengthen our relationships within our families, parishes, and the Church, and ultimately helps

make the world a better place we all share. 

The Beatitudes are a common literary form found in Wisdom literature. 

The Greek word for “blessed” or “happy” is “makarios,” with the plural form “makarioi.” In Latin, the

corresponding terms are “beatus” and “beati.” The terms “blessed” or “happy” in our Gospel 

reading signify a promise of future blessings. 

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus sits on a mountain, or its side, and shares nine Beatitudes. He 

addresses not only the disciples but also the gathered crowds, which include us. These Beatitudes 

describe the qualities of his disciples and reflect the characteristics of believers who are seeking to

understand the essence of the Good News. 

We are poor in spirit when we sincerely recognize our reliance on God and trust in the Holy One.

Whether we are wealthy or struggling to get by, we are dependent on our Creator and are 

accountable to God for how we utilize our resources, time, and talents. 

We feel sorrow when we mourn the evil in our lives and in the world. Therefore, we should always

desire for the ways of the Lord to be evident in our surroundings. 

We often feel humble or meek when we confront the honest version of ourselves. This experience is

a crucial part of our journey of self-discovery because it helps us support others in their spiritual

growth and deepen their relationship with God. In fact, we are all sojourners on this journey, 

supporting one another as we strive to reach heaven. 

True happiness comes from showing kindness and mercy to others, not only by discussing or 

reading about it. It blossoms when we actively practice empathy and compassion. It’s more than

just words; it’s about supporting one another. 

We demonstrate true purity when we refrain from deceiving others, because our intentions are

transparent and sincere. 

We are blessed because being peacemakers means bringing people together and spreading love,

instead of causing division, negativity, and hatred. 

When we genuinely embrace the Beatitudes in our thoughts, words, and actions, we contribute to

bringing more of God’s kingdom to life here on Earth. In doing so, we will be blessed in the future.

Let us inspire others together. 

                                                                            ….. 

Today marks World Day for Consecrated Life, a day to recognize the commitment of men and women

who have chosen to follow the Lord through the practice of the evangelical counsels. It is also an 

opportunity for them to renew their dedication to their vocation. 

I had an honor of celebrating Mass for Antonella Lopez Mora’s Quinceanera. Antonella is an active 

participant in the Confirmation Program and various parish activities. She radiates joy and kindness

and loves reading, playing soccer, and spending time at the beach with her loved ones. 

I am happy for Antonella and her family. May Our Lady of Guadalupe guide her in her spiritual life and

future endeavors. Wishing her abundant blessings. Felicidades, Quinceanera! 

I can't thank Michele Roberts enough for inviting me to Sunday Brunch. We had a fantastic afternoon

with delicious crab cakes and Eggs Benedict drizzled with Hollandaise. Plus, we were thrilled by the

surprise visit from wild horses- it made the day even more special. 

Thank you so much, Mary McKnight, for the delicious Turkey soup and vegetarian quiche. Your

thoughtfulness in bringing these meals means a lot to me, and I truly appreciate it. 

Thank you, Kathleen Richardson, for bringing me delicious pasta fazool soup. Your thoughtful gesture

brightened my day and warmed my heart despite the unexpectedly chilly weather. I appreciate your

kindness. 

Thank you, Rouaida Haddad, for the wonderful and authentic Lebanese lentil soup, shorbet adas. It

was very flavorful and one-of-a-kind. Your kindness in sharing this wonderful meal means so much to

me. 

Someone once cheerfully said, “Life is souper when you have a hot bowl of soup in your hands.” 

Guess what? February 4 is National Soup Day! I’m a soup enthusiast - I could savor it for breakfast,

lunch, and dinner all year long. Soup is truly the ultimate way to kick off any meal. I often find myself

reminiscing about the delightful variety my mother and sister used to whip up. From delicious potato

soup to vibrant young beet leaf soup, comforting chicken soup to zesty lemon chicken soup, each bowl was a hug in disguise. The memories of mushroom soup, pickled cucumber soup, red and white

borscht, barley soup, and so many more, fill me with warmth. There’s just something about soup that

brings us together! What’s your favorite? 

I wish you a happy National Soup 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.