Love God, Love Others, Share the Good News!

    This Week's Letter From Father

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time A                 

February 8, 2026 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

This Sunday, and every day, Jesus reminds us, “You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of

the world.” This means we must put our faith into action. On one hand, the Lord praises us for the

talents and gifts we already possess that can help us. On the other hand, he challenges us to 

become the gifts to others that we are capable of being. 

Sometimes, helping the most vulnerable among us- such as family members- requires significant

effort because their situations often need ongoing attention and may be chronic. At other times,

small, everyday acts of kindness, encouragement, and empathy can hold great significance. 

Jesus encourages us to feed, clothe, and provide proper burial to those in need. However, when we

offer our assistance, do we view them as our brothers and sisters, or do we view them as another

person in need, to whom we can give a few dollars and then drive away so we can feel good about

ourselves? 

Jesus teaches that when we care for those in need, we not only address their physical hunger and

poverty, but also tend to their souls. To truly help them, we must connect our souls with theirs. 

Do we know these individuals by their names? Are we interested in hearing their stories? Are we 

focusing our attention and time on them? They are not nameless; they are people with identifiable

names and issues we can relate to. 

As the light of the world and salt of the earth, we must act accordingly. Our charity and empathy

stem from our encounters with God. The grace we receive in our lives is a sharing of the love we

have previously received. 

If we are the salt of the earth, we must live as true Christians. If we are the light of the world, we

must shine through our actions, deeds, words, and behavior. 

                                                                        ….. 

Last Saturday, we witnessed a historic bomb cyclone nor’easter that brought an astonishing

amount of snow to North Carolina. The church and rectory were blanketed with about 14 to 15 inches

of snow, and winds exceeding 50 miles per hour added to the spectacle. When Sunday afternoon

arrived, the sun was out creating a stunning winter landscape perfect for a refreshing walk outdoors.

I genuinely cherished this snowy weekend, though my heart went out to the birds and squirrels. I

made sure to look after them during this chilly spell. It seems we may have just experienced our very

first blizzard in North Carolina and along the beautiful Crystal Coast. 

Thank you to our amazing Pre-K through 5th graders for the beautiful, uplifting cards and 

wishes. Your kindness brightened my day. 

Visiting our students during National Catholic School Week was a fantastic experience. We explored

the inspiring lives of police officers, firefighters, and EMS responders. The kids were thrilled to hear

their stories, see their vehicles, and meet Sparky.

A heartfelt thank you to Debbie and Greg Berger for the wonderful dinner. I am excited to hear about

your plans to retire on the beautiful Crystal Coast. With the stunning Atlantic Ocean, Bogue Sound,

Newport River, and nearby towns, you’ll have endless opportunities for swimming, boating, and

golfing year-round. It was a lovely evening spent in great company. 

Today, we celebrate World Marriage Day alongside the World Day of Prayer and Awareness Against

Human Trafficking. 

Let us uplift those beginning their journey into marriage, wishing them wisdom and strength as they

nurture their relationships. 

Let’s keep in our thoughts and prayers those who have enjoyed many years of marriage. May their

love continue to flourish and deepen with each passing day. 

Together, let’s unite our e􀆡orts to combat human trafficking, an urgent human rights issue and a grave

crime against humanity that demands our collective attention and proactive response. 

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.