July: The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

Memorial Feast Day of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

               This Week's Letter From Father

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time A               

July 26, 2026
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
We're excited to continue our journey together this third consecutive Sunday as we explore the beautiful parables of the kingdom of heaven. Today, we'll dive into the captivating stories of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value, both found exclusively in Matthew 13:44-46. Like all good parables, they can be interpreted in various ways.
 
Let’s take a moment to consider what truly matters to us. Is it our health, material success, happiness, fulfilling lifestyle, or perhaps something different? These Matthean parables remind us that our faith is like a precious treasure, just as the kingdom of heaven is. Remember, the strength of our faith and our bond with the kingdom of heaven is far more valuable than anything we could ever own. Isn't it a comforting thought?
 
In both parables, a man and a merchant search for something valuable. We should emulate them, continuously seeking something meaningful and of great value: our faith and the kingdom of God.
 
Let’s take a closer look at the characters: the man and the merchant, both in search of a great treasure. In these parables, the treasure seeker symbolizes Jesus, who lovingly seeks each and every one of us. No matter our sins, missteps or imperfections, we are all his precious gems- a pearl of immense worth. Jesus looks beyond the judgements of the world. He doesn't concern himself with what others think or say about us; instead, he views us as his most cherished treasure. He willingly paid the ultimate price for us, not with dollars, euros, bitcoins, or gold, but with his own blood. What a beautiful reminder of our value and the lengths he goes to for us.
 
Let us embrace the perspective of Jesus, who seeks us as his precious pearl- a truly beautiful gift from God. By releasing our selfish tendencies, self-centered egos, and embracing Christ as our ultimate treasure, we open the door to endless fulfillment and joy. With this newfound purpose, let’s passionately share our greatest treasure- Jesus Christ- with those seeking faith, love, hope, peace, and meaning. Together, we can inspire others on their journey and create a more beautiful world.
                                                                           …..
A warm and heartfelt thank you to everyone who celebrated my Pearl Anniversary with me. I'm truly grateful to Michele Roberts, and Rouaida and Khalil Haddad from Pita Plate for organizing such a fantastic party. The food, decorations and floral arrangements were stunning. A huge shout-out to the set-up team- Adel and David Olsen, and Denis Gwozdz- as well as the cleanup crew, Rosemarie Gildner and Rosemarie Smith. I am filled with gratitude, joy and appreciation.
 
I had the honor of baptizing Lionel del Carmen Ramirez Coronel. The ceremony was a joyous celebration, filled with love and heartfelt prayers. It was truly uplifting to witness the happiness of his parents, who were overflowing with gratitude to God for the precious gift of their son, Lionel. I pray that the Lord guides him on his journey as he grows, and that his parents and godparents, with their strong faith, will inspire him to be a devoted follower of Jesus. May Our Lady of Guadalupe watch over him and all of you.
 
A huge thank you to Annmarie Maxim for the amazing chicken piccata. It was absolutely delicious.
 
Today is World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Let us joyfully celebrate and honor the incredible wisdom and rich experiences of our beloved grandparents and older adults. Their invaluable gifts of faith, knowledge and perseverance inspire us and will continue to guide future generations.
 
Sending warm blessings to all the remarkable grandparents and seniors- your impact is treasured and appreciated.
 
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.