Lenten Penance Service

Love God, Love Others, Share the Good News!

    This Week's Letter From Father

First Sunday of Lent A                       

February 22, 2026
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
As we come together to celebrate the Eucharist today, we reflect on Jesus’ temptation by the devil in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11). The event follows His profound mystical experience at His baptism, in which He realizes He is filled with the Holy Spirit and is the beloved Son of God. “He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:16-17).
 
As Jesus enters the desert, guided by the Holy Spirit, he stands firmly in the truth of his identity as God’s beloved Son, cherished and valued, and with whom God is well pleased. With unwavering confidence, he embraces this profound connection, fully aware of God’s incredible love for him.
 
When the Tempter approaches him, he presents a challenge. “Since you know you are the beloved Son of God, his chosen one, you have every right to ask God to prove it. If God loves you, why are you hungry? Isn't hunger a contradiction of God’s love for you and for the people in the world”?
 
It is easy to unjustly accuse God of being responsible for the lack of action against starvation and hunger in the world. Many people conclude that hunger exists because God is doing nothing about it. This leads some to suggest that it would be better if God did not exist or to claim that the presence of suffering from malnutrition and hunger proves that there is no God.
 
In the second temptation, Matthew portrays the devil as a scholar of Scripture who interprets Psalm 91:11-12 in the Temple in Jerusalem. The devil challenges, saying that “if you are the Son of God, you are surely safe in the Temple; nothing will harm you here. So, throw yourself down from the top of the Temple, and you won't get hurt”.
 
The same temptation will arise during the crucifixion of Jesus, when those standing at the cross mock him, saying, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:40).
 
The descriptions of both temptations serve as a reminder that we often test God when we lack trust in His word, which assures us that we are truly His beloved sons and daughters. We seek tangible proof of His love when we demand signs of His support, desiring safety, health, long lives, good exam results, or well-paying jobs. In doing so, we test God as if He exists solely for our convenience.
 
Meister Eckhart explained it this way, “Some people want to see God with their eyes as they see a cow, and to love Him as they love a cow - for the milk and cheese and profit it brings them. This is how it is with people who love God for the sake of outward wealth or inward comfort. They do not rightly love God when they love him for their own advantage.”
 
Rather, we should place our trust in God and accept His assurance that we are truly beloved children of the Creator.
 
Jesus responded to temptation by saying, “One does not live by bread alone”, and “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” His acceptance of the cross at Golgotha demonstrated his complete trust in God, without seeking any proof or confirmation. The word of God sustained Jesus until the very end, and God raised him from the dead.
 
This Lent, let’s remember that people, places, and things can tempt us. Some relatives or friends may bring out our worst behavior when we visit them during Thanksgiving or Christmas. Additionally, there may be coworkers we dislike and struggle to be civil with, or individuals who lead us into risky behaviors.
 
Places can include television channels like Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC, as well as websites and chat rooms on computers. Things may involve spending beyond our means and making credit card companies happy by accumulating debt.
 
While God guides our lives, He doesn’t control them. It is our responsibility to make our own choices. When we identify the sources of our temptations, we should develop solutions to counteract them.
                          …..
What an incredible joy it was to baptize Eva Mae Taylor. Dressed in her beautiful gown, she shone happiness as she embraced this special moment, her new birth in the waters of Baptism. Afterward, her cheerful spirit brightened our photos. It was a truly memorable day.
 
I am filled with joy at the birth of your daughter, Eva Mae, and the Church and our parish share in this happiness. May the Lord Jesus always watch over her and guide her every step. I also pray for his blessings upon you, dear Parents, as you nurture her in faith.
 
Thank you, Frank Bagdonas, the Chairperson of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal in our parish and a member of the Finance Council. Your presentation on the BAA at every Mass was heartfelt and inspiring.
 
Thank you, Paul Acheson and the Knights of Columbus for organizing the recent Baby Bottle Change Drive, which benefited the Coastal Pregnancy Center.
 
Thank you to all the Fourth-Grade students for your wonderful cards and wishes. I loved reading each one- they brought a big smile to my face.
 
Thank you, Rouaida Haddad, for the delightful mushroom and avgolemono soups. They brightened the snowy days and were such comforting treats.
 
Please take care of the mother squirrels caring for their newborns. They are incredibly loving, devoted, and protective of their young. Remember, dads are hands-off in parenting, so mom’s truly shine in this role.
 
I’m so excited to watch the kits scamper up and down the tree, leap between branches, and enjoy treats right from my hand. It’ll be such a joy!
 
With the day’s warming up, why not head to the beach or take a relaxing stroll by the sound? You will be delighted by the playful dolphins - it’s sure to make your day special.
 
Every Friday during Lent, a Light Supper will be served at 5pm, followed by the Stations of the Cross at 6pm. Please join us.
 
May we all have a Blessed and Reflective Lent,

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.