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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

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time A                         

October 25, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our second reading today is from Paul's letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:5-10), which takes us back to ancient Thessalonica, now known as Thessaloniki in Northern Greece. Cassander, a general under Alexander the Great, founded the city in 316 BC and named it after his wife, Thessalonike. When Paul, Silas, and Timothy arrived in Thessalonica around AD 50, the city had been under Roman rule since 168 BC. By Paul's time, the city's population ranged from 65,000 to 100,000.

Thessalonica was home to both Jewish and Gentile communities. It featured places of worship for the Roman pantheon and for Oriental deities such as Isis, Osiris, Cabirus, Anubis, and Serapis. They also built a temple there dedicated to Caesar. 

According to Acts (17:1-2), the Jewish population in this city had a synagogue where Paul preached. However, the letter to the Thessalonians does not mention Paul preaching there. His converts were predominantly Gentiles, mainly from the working class. 

Beyond sharing the good news, what drew him to them? His skills in tentmaking and leatherworking.

Paul describes the converted Thessalonians as people characterized by faith, hope, and love. He notes that they are "imitators of us (Paul, Silas, and Timothy), and of the Lord." 

The Apostle to the Gentiles emphasizes that the Thessalonians' post-conversion lifestyle serves as evidence of the authenticity of their message to other believers. He tells them, "The word of the Lord has resonated loudly from you." Even amid challenges and trials in sharing God's message, they exemplify the joy that springs from the Holy Spirit. 

By truly embracing Jesus' teachings, as Paul, Silvan, Timothy, and the Thessalonians did, we can become authentic disciples of the Lord, shining examples of Christian living who encourage, inspire, and uplift those around us.

In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus reminds us that we truly embody Christian living when we reflect our love for God by extending compassionate love to the foreigner, the poor, the elderly, the orphan, and all who are in need. 

Let us always remember that real progress in the art of loving comes from actively loving others. Our love should engage the whole person: heart, soul, and mind. Our love for God, our neighbors, strangers, creation, and ourselves is interconnected. Each form of love enriches the others, forming a web of compassion and understanding. Love is not easy; it requires hard work, dedication, and commitment, but in the end, it is worth it.

                                                                              .....

Thank you, Patrick Murphy, for the aromatic espresso. Lorraine Collins, Pat Durham, and Christine and Ron Betts joined us. I enjoyed our morning together, sharing conversation and doppio espressos. 

Thank you, Marylin and Steve Vogios, for a delightful dinner. I loved spending the evening with you, Barb, and Mike Basher, who joined us. No one could have predicted that the temperature would drop to 51°F this time of year, with rain and strong gales. Still, we had a wonderful time enjoying each other's company and a delicious meal. 

Thank you, Betty and Tom Gallaher, for welcoming me to your home for a delightful dinner. It was wonderful to spend the evening together and catch up. 

I am happy to hear that Pope Leo XIV underwent successful surgery and is now back at the Vatican. Please pray for him and for all the sick in our parish and worldwide. 

Please pray for Father Patricio Alfredo Sanches Molinari, who was killed when a large wooden crucifix detached from above the altar and struck his head during a live-streamed Mass in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Please also pray for all priests, both living and deceased. 

Envelopes for All Souls Remembrance are available in the foyer, the Agape room, and the sanctuary pews. Please write your loved ones' names on the envelopes and return them by November 1. We will pray for them on All Souls Day and throughout November. 

The Hispanic Community will hold a special collection over the next few Sundays for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Please support them.

The parish is seeking volunteers to pick up donated food from the Agape room and deliver it to Martha's Mission once a week. 

The combined gathering theme for Oct. 29 from the Cooking Club and Drinks and Dogma’s is Tricky Treats. Bring a dish or drink that tricks the eye, hides a treasure, or offers a surprise. 

With Blessings,

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.