Please note that weather related schedule changes will be noted on our webpage as soons as possible.  

Fourth Sunday of Lent

A Letter from our Pastor                                                  

 March 19, 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

People often use themselves as the norm when it comes to judging others. The old saying: “Stereotypes save time” sadly points to that fact. Prejudice often is a product of ignorance and ill will. As such, it blinds people.

Our readings encourage us to escape from the box of isolation, stereotypes and preconceived ideas of others, without attempting to learn about them and from them. Different skin colors, ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, cultures and genders make humans very attractive.

Samuel, in the first reading (1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a), has to learn not to label people by their outward appearances. Impressed by the physique of Jesse’s oldest son, he discovers, to his surprise, that Eliab is not the one to be anointed next king. “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Instead, the youngest son, David, is destined for kingship. The presence of Yahweh’s spirit within him makes the ascension of David to the throne possible.

The theological background and religious tradition of the interrogators in the Gospel reading (John 9: 1-41), blinds them to the personality and character of the blind man and Jesus. By focusing too much on their conception of what God should be like, and how God should act, they missed God’s presence in their midst.

If Jesus came today and did something good, some sincerely religious people would reject him too, because of their negative attitudes to everybody and everything that does not fit their mindset.

Albert Einstein said: “The bigotry of the nonbeliever is for me nearly as funny as the bigotry of the believer.” And Maya Angelou wrote: “Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.”

Thus the author of the second reading (Ephesians 5:8-14) encourages us: “Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth” (Ephesians 5:8-9).

Let us carry that light to the world, and live it, so that God’s reality and our perception of things match.
                                                         ….
Thank you Randy and Lesley Ferguson for a lovely lunch and cappuccino. As always, I enjoyed our conversation and spending time with you.

I attended the Knights of Columbus induction  of new members. My congratulations go out to Jim Craft and Charles Gallardo.  The ceremony was followed by a delightful Mediterranean dinner. 

Congratulations to Colleen Whilldin, our parishioner and PE teacher at St. Egbert Catholic School. Her former school, Bogue Sound Elementary, will name the gym in her honor next week.

I witnessed  how much fun our school children had during a walk-a-thon. It was a great event.  Maybe an adult walk-a-thon in the future?

Our parish Middle School Ministry enjoyed pizza and a movie. I enjoyed interacting with them too.

Over next weekend I will happily confirm over twenty teenagers. May they open themselves to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit as they prepare for this important sacrament of initiation. Let us keep them in our prayers.

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring. Isn’t it great? After a long Winter, we are closer to Summer.  The German poet, Rainer Maria Rilke wrote: “It is Spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” When I look out into the garden and see the birds joyfully chirping and squirrels happily waving their tails, I recall the lyrics written by a Scottish musician, Donovan Phillips Leitch: “Birds are singing sweet and low/ From the trees that gently grow/ Soft and soothing breezes blow/ On this lovely day” (“The Lovely Day”).

As we witness the beautiful flowers blooming, let us allow our faith to beautifully bloom within us also.

Happy Spring everyone,
Fr. Ryszard

National Eucharistic Revival: A Grassroots Response to God’s Invitation

• Due to local active Covid cases, Communion will only be distributed on the hand.

• During Ordinary Time, Altar Flowers may be given in honor or memory of a loved one.  Please contact Cherie Amedy at the Parish Office, 252-726-3559, for more information.

Faith Formation (Sunday School) Schedule 2022-23

Registration Form

March Schedule

Sunday School Sunday Morning Session: Pre K - Grade 5, in the Morton Center, 9:30-10:45 AM, March 5 & 19, 2023 

Escuela dominical Sesión dominical por la mañana: Prekínder a 5.° grado, en el Morton Center, de 9:30 a. m. a 10:45 a. m. 5 y 19 de marzo de 2023

Middle School Ministry (MSM) Sunday Morning Session: Grades 6-8, 9:30-10:45 AM in the Morton Center, March 12 & 26, 2023

Ministerio de Escuela Intermedia (MSM) Sesión del domingo por la mañana: Grados 6-8, 9:30-10:45 AM en el Morton Center, 12 y 26 de marzo de 2023

Confirmation Preparation Sunday Morning Session: Grades 9 through 12, 9:30-10:45 AM in the Morton Center, March 12 & 26, 2023

Preparación para la Confirmación Sesión del domingo por la mañana: Grados 9 a 12, 9:30-10:45 AM en el Morton Center, 12 y 26 de marzo de 2023

We are in the process of updating our parish census. We are asking all member families to click on the link below which will take them to a census form where you can make changes in your family listing in our parish directory, ie, address, emails, phone changes, additional children (or removing children who no longer live here, etc. Please do this as soon as possible.

Parish Census Form

Please take a moment to complete the parish registration form by clicking on the link below:

Parish Registration Form

The New Bern Regional Office of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh is offering NEW programs to service our communities:

Senior Pharmacy -- For qualified seniors -- Assistance paying for: Medications related to Chronic Health Conditions; Limited Medical Supplies; and Health Topic Information.

Emergency Assistance -- Emergency Rent or Utility Assistance; Case Management; Job Search and Budgeting

Disaster Assistance -- When Available: Emergency Rent or Utility Assistance; Home Repair; Case Management

502 Middle Street, New Bern 28560

252-638-2188

Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8:30 AM -12 Noon; 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Donate Now at http://www.catholiccharitiesraleigh.org/donate and Select ``Direct Your Gift: New Bern Deanery

www.catholiccharitiesraleigh.org/locations/new-bern

Providing Help -- Creating Hope -- Serving All

You can now make your offertory donations online by using the link below.

Access Online Giving