Advent Prayer

Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness,

send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,

We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!"

Amen.

Love God, Love Others, Share the Good News!

    This Week's Letter From Father

Fourth Sunday of Advent A

December 21, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are only four days away from Christmas. I hope your shopping is done, your home is decorated and ready for family and friends to rejoice in the birth of the Savior and in each other’s presence. As we open our doors to welcome relatives and colleagues, we should do it with hope that the Lord will welcome us to his home above. As we count our blessings from God, we need to count the blessings we receive from others as well.

When I look at our Advent wreath with all the candles lit, I am reminded that each one of us should be a light to those around us.

The second reading selected for this Sunday (Romans 1:1-7), points out that regardless of our profession, we have “to proclaim the Gospel of God which he promised long ago through his prophets, as the holy Scriptures record- the gospel concerning his Son.” We are to proclaim the risen Christ, our Savior, by words, deeds and attitudes. When we live a joyful and holy life, we testify to the presence of God in our midst.

Our Gospel reading (Matthew 1:18-24) depicts the situation of Joseph and Mary, whose culture had no tolerance for a betrothed woman found to be with child by someone other than her intended husband. If Mary were judged as sinful according to the strictest law (Deuteronomy 22:23-27), the penalty would be execution by stoning.

Joseph, the silent man of the Gospels and Christmas pageants, is deeply troubled as his life, like the life of Mary, has turned upside down. They both experience anxiety as townspeople are laughing at them and pressuring him to take action against Mary. However, Joseph turns emphatically toward Mary and assumes responsibility for the mother and child.

Joseph, a wholeheartedly compassionate and caring man, completely open to God’s will, goes far beyond what law requires to fulfill the law. By shifting focus from his reputation, he makes the divinely directed choice.

Like Joseph, we too should make good things happen in people’s lives without fanfare. Instead of looking for applause or recognition we should be grateful to God for giving us opportunities to do good in our family, church and society.

Like Joseph, we are defined by keeping our commitments and honoring them with integrity when it isn't easy. A leading figure in 20th-century French philosophy, Jean-Paul Sartre, said: “Commitment is an act, not a word.”

                                                                       …..

I am excited to welcome Clyde Brooks, Robin Galyon, Kay Kiser, and Olivia Pearce - our OCIA Candidates. As they embark on their transformative journey toward full communion with the Catholic Church, they will profess their faith and receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist during the Easter Vigil. Let’s come together in joyful prayer for them, wishing for a deep transformative spiritual journey that draws them closer to God. May they embrace the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, alongside the love of the Blessed Mother.

On Sunday, December 12th, we had the incredible opportunity to get together with over 100 Faith Formation students for exciting community service projects. They exceeded our goal of serving over 300 people in our county.

Our students created heartfelt cards and prepared fun buckets for families on the Crystal Coast committed to fostering children awaiting adoption. These fun buckets with delightful snacks, engaging card games, puzzles, coloring books, and other activities, all aimed to inspire bonding activities that help families to get to know each other.

Alongside the fun buckets, students made thoughtful care kits for individuals experiencing homelessness. The care kits contained essential hygiene items, cozy socks, lip balm, a handy nylon tote, and tasty snacks. Our dedicated OCIA candidates distributed the care kits during lunch, which they served at Hope Mission on December 12th.

I am so proud of our Faith Formation students and OCIA candidates for their kindness and commitment to helping others.

A heartfelt thank you to Phuoc and Khen Nguyen for an amazing dinner. Every dish - from the savory egg rolls and dumplings to the mouthwatering steak - was simply delightful. Your kindness made the evening special.

A huge thank you to Annmarie Maxim for the excellent chicken parmigiana with pasta. It was absolutely delicious.

Thank you, Bill and Kathleen Green, for the delicious oranges from your garden. They were such a great treat.

Our Parish Christmas Party was an absolute delight. It was heartwarming to see everyone enjoying such an incredible variety of original ethnic dishes and share in the festivities. A huge thank you to all who cooked and joined us - your contributions made the event special. I’d also like to express my gratitude to the organizers, decorators, and everyone who helped clean afterward. Together, we created joyful memories and delicious moments that will last.

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.