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August: A Month of Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

               This Week's Letter From Father

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time A

August 30, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In today’s Gospel reading (Matthew 16:21-27), we read about the first prediction of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. No reasons are given to the apostles as to why it must happen.

Last Sunday, Peter openly expressed his faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Today, he is eager to discuss the Lord in that role but is unwilling to accept Jesus as the suffering Messiah. Peter, whose name means “Rock,” does not want to follow Jesus if it involves the possibility of death. At this moment, Peter becomes a stumbling block, and Jesus calls him Satan. This does not mean that Peter is an evil person; rather, he is reprimanded for trying to dissuade Jesus from his mission. We know the happy ending that culminates in Jesus’ resurrection, but Peter did not have that knowledge at that time. However, instead of commanding Peter to go away, Jesus invites him to embark on a journey to follow him.

A true disciple of Jesus joyfully begins the rewarding journey of following him, prioritizing love and service over fame and popularity. We are invited to embrace our vocation, our life’s purpose by serving people through our work and prayers.

Jesus never glorified suffering nor claimed that it is good to suffer. Suffering for its own sake is not beneficial. Through his cross and resurrection, Jesus offered us hope in our moments of helplessness and suffering. He showed us that even in our darkest moments, hope is waiting to uplift us and ignite our spirits.

The cross journey, when embraced with faith, can lead to vibrant discipleship, filled with purpose and meaningful encounters. It’s not just about speaking the right words but truly living them that really matters.

Each cross that Jesus speaks of is unique to each of us. Regardless of its size, weight, and shape, the Lord is by our side, showering us with his love. 

                                                                                ……                                                                                           

I’m thrilled about those four rainy days. Our flowers, trees, and soil truly relished the much-needed drink. Plus, the rain brought a welcome drop in humidity and temperature. Even the birds, squirrels, and a bunny seemed to enjoy the refreshing change.

It’s wonderful to see our eager students returning to St. Egbert School after a refreshing break. I had the joy of bestowing a special blessing on them and their teachers at the school Mass.

A big thank you to Jennifer and James Hibbs for the delicious, shelled pecans. My squirrels are absolutely loving them.

A huge thank you, Bridget and Bob Stubblefield. I truly enjoyed our delightful morning coffee chat about British mystery series and comedies on PBS. It was such a pleasure to connect with you.

A heartfelt thank you to Lesley and Randy Ferguson for the delightful dinner. It was such a joy to spend the evening with you and to hear your excitement about your granddaughter’s journey into forensic science in New Haven, CT. What an amazing adventure awaits her.

I was delighted to watch the pelicans glide gracefully along the beach and the hummingbirds sipping nectar from my garden’s flowers. The vibrant yellow, orange-yellow, white, and red butterflies added a magical touch to the scene. It was a joy to see the playful squirrels, and the adorable bunny that frequents my yard. Every moment was a delightful reminder of nature’s beauty.

Additionally, I was so excited to see frolicking dolphins. They always bring a smile to my face.



Next Tuesday, September 1, is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Let’s join together in gratitude, embracing our role as dedicated stewards of this beautiful world God has entrusted to us.

With prayers,

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.