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September: A Month of Reflection and Renewal

               This Week's Letter From Father

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time                         

September 27, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today, the Church invites us to reflect on the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32). In this parable, Jesus emphasizes the importance of listening to his teachings and putting them into practice. Words can be beautiful and convincing, but they don't mean much without actions to back them up. In the end, what we do speaks louder than what we say!

This parable also illustrates a dynamic between two groups of Jews: the chief priests and scribes, portrayed as leaders lacking faith, and the tax collectors, lepers, and prostitutes, depicted as sincere outcasts with strong faith. These marginalized individuals embraced the teachings of John the Baptist and Jesus, which resonated deeply with them. By contrast, the scribes and chief priests, allied with Roman authorities, viewed the words of John and Jesus as a threat and turned away from their message.

Jesus' opponents initially accepted him until he emphasized personal conversion. This compelled him to confront them about their inconsistencies and to expose their hypocrisy with confidence and compassion.

This contrast highlights how openness and faith can lead to transformation, even among those labeled as outsiders. The marginalized outcasts are somewhat like the first son, who, even if it did not seem so at first, ultimately chose to follow the father's wishes.

Today, we are reminded that we can build a Church that reflects Jesus' vision, but only if we truly recognize ourselves as children of God—His sons and daughters. Recognizing that we are children of God changes how we treat others. Prejudice and political ideology drive people away from God and the Church. By setting aside prejudice and political divides, we can draw closer to God and to one another, fostering a welcoming, inclusive community for all.

To truly enhance our Church, we must understand what personal sin is and acknowledge our need for conversion. A converted heart naturally draws others in, inviting them to experience the love and grace we have found. A converted sinner is a powerful witness to the Gospel. Conversely, believing we don’t need conversion can unintentionally push away those who long for forgiveness, mercy, empathy, and compassion.

Genuine conversion is not just a one-time event in our lives; it involves a series of transformations. Let us remain open to conversion. By keeping our hearts receptive, we foster deeper connections with the Lord and with one another, turning every moment into an opportunity for spiritual growth and enrichment. 

                                                                     …….   

I was honored to officiate at the wedding of Michelle Saikali and Brendan Bean. They met four years ago when Brendan came to Morehead City for the summer to play collegiate summer baseball for the Morehead City Marlins. Coincidentally, his host family, the Epps, were Michelle's next-door neighbors. Brendan's host brother, Logan—who was also a groomsman at their wedding—introduced Brendan to Michelle at her workplace, hoping they would meet.

That day, Michelle returned home excitedly and exclaimed, "Guess what!" Her parents thought she had earned a lot of great tips at work. However, she revealed, "I met my future husband." Mary and Maher burst out laughing.

After a few months of dating, Brendan chose to pursue his master's degree and continue playing baseball at Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. This allowed him to stay close to Michelle as she completed her bachelor's and master's degrees. As they began new chapters at their universities and in their careers, they continued to grow together and build a life side by side.

After three years of dating, Brendan decided it was time to propose. He planned an entire weekend for his family to come to Morehead City and carefully organized every detail. He decorated the dock and arranged for all their closest friends and family to be there to surprise Michelle.

In their marriage, Michelle and Brendan aim to strengthen their bond with each other and with God while building a solid foundation for their family. They aspire to pursue successful careers, live near the beach, and send their children to Catholic schools.

Michelle and Brandon, I pray the Lord continually blesses you. May your love deepen and grow even more beautiful with each passing day. Congratulations!

Thank you, Trish Reichert, for the tasty white chicken chili and salmon salad. Your kindness means a lot. I also appreciate the book and plan to read it soon.

Thank you, Sandy and Rick Gemach, for the delightful dinner. It was lovely to see you and catch up. I really enjoyed the evening and am glad to hear you and your family are doing well.

Mark your calendars! September 29 is National Coffee Day, followed by International Coffee Day on October 1. Let's celebrate and support coffee farmers, fair trade, and our beloved local coffee shops.

Did you know there are more than 100 species of coffee plants? However, the global coffee industry mainly celebrates 4 fabulous beans.

1. Arabica- known for its smooth and sweet taste.

2. Robusta- characterized by a strong, bitter flavor and higher caffeine content.

3. Liberica- a rare bean that has a fruity and floral aroma.

4. Excelsa- offers a refreshing tartness and fruity notes, primarily cultivated in Southeast Asia.

Each of these diverse beans adds something to your cup, making every sip an adventure.

I absolutely love savoring Turkish coffee with cardamom and indulging in rich espresso and creamy cappuccino. Flavored coffees such as Almond Amaretto, Chocolate Cherry Kiss, Wild Blueberry, L'orange, and Hawaiian Hazelnut are my favorite flavors! What are your favorite types of coffee or coffee drinks?

My garden is adorned with titmice, hummingbirds, house finches, cardinals, Carolina wrens, brown thrashers, sparrows, mourning doves, blue jays, Eurasian-collared doves, and mockingbirds. Squirrels, a bunny, and butterflies also bring me joy.

Today, we observe the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Pope Francis said, "Our shared response [to the many challenges of contemporary migration] may be articulated by four verbs: to welcome, to protect, to promote, and to integrate." Let's embrace these values with open hearts and minds.

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.