Love God, Love Others, Share the Good News!

    This Week's Letter From Father

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time C

November 16, 2025 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

We are just one week away from the end of the liturgical year. As we approach the beginning of

the new liturgical year which will start in two weeks, let us not be pessimistic. Quite the 

contrary, let us be very optimistic. Our God, the Creator, is an Optimist. If He/She were not, the

entire universe and each one of us would not have been created. And we were created, together

with animals, birds, plants, fishes and the whole cosmos for the greater glory of God. 

According to Julian of Norwich, the first woman to write a book in English that survived to our

time, emphasized that because of God’s love for us: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and

all manner of things shall be well.” 

For that reason, we should be joyful and together with the Psalmist, praise the Lord: “Sing

praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the

sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord” (Psalm 98:5-6). 

Fundamentalist Christians often see human-made or natural disasters, like wars, violence, 

epidemics, famines, eruptions of volcanoes, hurricanes, earthquakes as signs of the imminent

end of the world we live in, and the second coming of Jesus. 

When asked, when the end of the world would occur, Jesus never answered that question and

never gave a specific date. Instead, he warned people against those who deceive and manipulate

others. We should be wiser than that and not follow them. Only the Father knows the day

and the hour. 

Instead, we should be creative like our God is creative. We should be optimistic because our

God is optimistic. 

The Holy One believes in us. And we should trust His/Her word. 

                                                                       …… 

It was a true joy to baptize Paul Jeffrey Dunnavant. This ceremony marked his entrance as a

child of God and a cherished member of our parish family. May the Lord bless you abundantly

as you embark on your faith journey. I hope the lives of your parents and godparents serve as

inspiring examples of what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. 

I had the honor of celebrating Perla Hernandez’s Quinceanera. She is a vibrant and caring

member of our parish, always looking out for others. Perla’s enthusiasm for church activities,

especially singing in the choir, truly shines. Her talent on the clarinet at school reflects her 

wonderful spirit. I pray that Our Lord showers her with abundant blessings on her journey of

faith. May Our Lady of Guadalupe watch over you always. Felicidades, Quinceanera! 

Thank you, Charlie Ogle, for our delightful lunch and cappuccino. As always, you have a way of

charming the ladies. When you told the waitress to stay beautiful, she replied, “Don’t you 

worry, I will.” The lady, whose father served in the Marine Corps, couldn’t believe you were a

paratrooper at Fort Bragg at the age of 13. However, when you showed her your picture as a

thirteen-year-old paratrooper in full uniform, you won her heart. 

Thank you, Annmarie Maxim, for another wonderful dinner. I feel blessed that you always cook

something special for me when you’re in town. 

Dear Fifth Graders, thank you for your wonderful All Saints Cards. I enjoyed reading them and

hope your All Saints Day was filled with joy and lasting memories. 

It’s once again time to think about the Angel Tree Project. We need volunteers to help record

the Angel sponsors, assist with the gifts when they arrive at church, and wrap the presents.

Children in need will appreciate the gifts and the generosity of the givers. 

I kindly ask for your assistance in providing Thanksgiving meals to families in need. 

I invite all parish youth in 3rd grade and older who have received their First Communion to 

consider becoming Altar Servers. This is a great opportunity to grow in faith, learn more about

the Mass, and serve our Parish Family. Adults are also welcome to serve as Altar Servers. Victoria

Salas, our outstanding Altar Server, will offer training for anyone interested in taking on

this role and ministry in our parish. 

In Christ, 

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.