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November: Month of the Holy Souls

               This Week's Letter From Father

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time A                 

November 8, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today, we begin by reflecting on a passage from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. Written around 50 AD, this letter is the oldest surviving Christian document in the New Testament and was composed about twenty years after Jesus' resurrection. Although Paul may have written other letters to other communities before this one, those earlier texts have unfortunately been lost.

In 49 AD, Paul spent only a few months in Thessalonica, a major Roman port and crossroads, where he evangelized both the pagan inhabitants and the Jewish community. Fr. Raymond E. Brown, a respected New Testament scholar, imagined being present when the letter was first read to the Thessalonian Christians. He noted, "Within the opening ten verses, one would hear references to God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, as well as to faith, love, and hope. This is a remarkable testimony to how quickly ideas that became standard in Christianity were already in place."

The New Testament writers, particularly Paul, eagerly anticipated Jesus Christ's imminent return from heaven to earth and the end of the world. Like Jesus, Paul did not claim to know the exact hour or day of this event. However, like other followers of Christ, he expected the end to come at any moment.

After Paul left Thessalonica, some of the converted Thessalonians had passed away, and others were dying. Their relatives and friends were anxious about what might happen to their dying and deceased loved ones because Christ had not yet returned.

The Apostle to the Gentiles reassures this young Christian community that their deceased family members, friends, and neighbors are not lost. He says, "We believe that Jesus died and rose again; so too will God bring with Him those who have fallen asleep." 

Paul believes the Lord's resurrection is an act of God, who will bring with Jesus those who have died in him. Two thousand years later, we continue to share the same hope Paul expressed.

In our Gospel reading from Matthew 25:1-13, we encounter a parable about ten bridesmaids. In Galilean culture, bridesmaids were expected to be present when the bridegroom arrived. They were responsible for escorting him and his wife into their home, carrying lamps and torches.

As then, the groom (Jesus Christ) has now been delayed for two thousand years. 

When we are sick or caring for sick family members, we pray for the Lord to come and heal us and those we love. When our relatives are nearing the end of their lives, we ask the Lord to spare them, or, if they are suffering greatly, to take them quickly so they no longer endure pain.

Imagine people suffering from addiction, wars inflicted on them by foolish leaders, and innocent, hardworking citizens affected by the decisions of their unstable leaders. All await the Lord's intervention on our behalf.

We need to learn patience and trust that, in the end, everything will be all right and that the Lord will not let us down. God has plans for us that we may not yet understand. Yet it's hard to find comfort when the world seems to be falling apart, especially after we've worked so hard to plan our future. Robert M. McClellan once wrote, "To refuse to wait would be foolish, for it denies the possibility of a future outside one's own design. To bring enough oil is wise, for the night may be longer or darker than expected. Still, the belief is that the morning will come. Waiting is an act of faith."

As a family and as a parish community, we must remember that while the bridegroom was likely negotiating his contract with his father-in-law, the bridesmaids were waiting. Likewise, as we wait, Christ continues to intercede for us before God the Father.

Wisdom is a powerful mindset paired with valuable knowledge, equipping us to navigate life’s challenges. Love, in turn, gives us the patience and resilience to overcome hardships and face what may seem insurmountable with hope.

Let us strive to be a special message that uplifts others and a song of encouragement in their hard times. God has blessed us with life, and how we choose to live it is our gift to Him.

                                                                            ....

Thank you, Jaeden Coons and Claire Myllykoski, for the delightful pumpkin roll. I enjoyed it alongside my Turkish coffee. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Annmarie Maxim, for the delicious apricot chicken with pasta and crumb cake. I’m so grateful for another delightful meal. Your kindness is truly appreciated.

I enjoyed the joint gathering of the Cooking Club and Drinks and Dogma. We not only shared wonderful food but also had a lovely discussion about misconceptions regarding the Catholic Church and faith. 

The Adult Creative Club, led by Kathy Richardson, meets on Tuesday, November 10, in the Meeting Room. They will donate their creations to Hospice House residents to provide comfort and help them feel loved.

The Ladies Guild's general meeting on November 12 will begin with the Rosary. A brown-bag lunch will follow Habitat for Humanity's presentation, which will cover projects such as the Women's Building Program. All are welcome.

Join us for dinner and dancing at Pita Plate next Sunday, November 15. All proceeds will benefit St. Egbert. 

We are seeking donations of turkeys, hams, and side dishes for local families' holiday meals. The Knights of Columbus will assemble and distribute the Thanksgiving boxes. Please drop off donations at the parish office during business hours or give them to the Knights at Mass. 

The Hispanic Community will hold a special collection over the next few Sundays. The collection is for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They will also sell homemade ethnic specialties on Sunday, November 29, to support the Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. Please support them.

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.