Welcome
We are called by our Baptism to actively live our Catholic Faith by proclaiming the Word of God, Jesus Christ, in all that we say and do, serving God's people and building a community filled with the Holy Spirit that is nourished by Scripture and Sacraments.
Due to Tropical Storm Ian, which is expected to produce heavy rains, coastal flooding, and high winds with gusts up to 50+ mph, please see the following information for Friday, September 30, 2022.
Our parishioners, and school families’ safety is our priority as well as our local community. Please pray for all those who have been in the path of Ian.
October 9, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time are about gratitude that leads to faith. In the first reading (2 Kings 5:14-17), Naaman, the leprous general of the king Of Aram is cured by immersing himself in the Jordan River at the command of Elisha, a prophet of Israel. Recognizing the power of Elisha’s God, he returns to the prophet and confesses his belief in Yahweh and begins to follow that Deity. “I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the Lord” (5:17). By taking two mule-loads of soil with him to Damascus to erect an altar to the God of Israel, Naaman articulates the common ancient mindset that confounded and linked a deity to a particular place.
In the Gospel reading (Luke 17:11-19) ten lepers are healed from their skin disease but only one, the Samaritan, returns to Jesus glorying God.
Two foreigners (non-Jews), an unnamed Samaritan and an enemy commander from Syria, Naaman, are held up as the examples to their Jewish contemporaries. Their faith brought them salvation.
It is possible that the other nine lepers who were on the way to present themselves to the priests to be readmitted to the society to begin again their normal lives, thanked God at that time or later in life. Perhaps never. The Gospel of Luke remains silent about that. It doesn’t say anything about what happened to the Samaritan in the coming years. Did he become a follower of Jesus? The Jews and Samaritans hated each other. The disease united them.
Religions and churches divide people. Suffering, experienced by all, regardless of their beliefs or philosophies should become a unifying force and a common ground between people in ecumenical dialogue.
Self-centered people act as if they are the center of the world without appreciating gifts from God and others. They see mostly negatives and thus suffer from the spiritual/sinful leprosy on the inside.
Our readings this Sunday invite us to go through life with a grateful attitude. If we take things with gratitude and not for granted, we live a happy life. Dietrich Bonhoeffer noticed: “it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.” And William Blake wrote: “The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.”
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Last Monday we hosted the priests from the New Bern Deanery who gathered at St. Egbert for a meeting. A luncheon followed. The guest speaker was Luis Capacetti, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Raleigh. The chancellor is the diocesan notary responsible for sacramental records and the diocesan archives. He provides legal advice and interpretation in matters of canon law regarding diocesan activities.
Last Saturday I baptized Alina Naomi Atkins Gomez. I am very happy for her and her family. May the Lord watch over her always. Congratulations!
October is traditionally dedicated as the month of the rosary. Let us meditate on its mysteries.
Thank you Urania Mitchell for lunch. We were joined by Norma, Migdalia and Victoria. What a wonderful afternoon we had together.
Thank you Charlie Ogle for inviting me to lunch. Charlie enlisted in the US Army during World War II at the age thirteen ! That’s right, Thirteen ! He was trained as a paratrooper in Fort Brag, N C. After the war he joined the U S Navy from which he honorably retired. Then he retired the second time from General Electric.
Charlie is frequently recognized as a veteran. When the ladies thank him for serving our country he says, “thank you” and tells the ladies “thank you for staying beautiful.” It always brings a smile to their faces.
The Gethsemane Ministry, coordinated by Neil Skrabec, is our 5th brand new ministry at St. Egbert. Its mission is to help people who are at the crossroads of their life to find emotional and spiritual comfort. In the hospice there are patients from all faith traditions, cultures and backgrounds, those who minister to them have to be very emphatic, compassionate and sensitive. This ministry is also extended to their distressed families. More information will be forthcoming.
Thank you Dan Novey, Lesley Ferguson and Marcy Ellis for your heartfelt witness talks about the ministry of lector. As a result, a good number of parishioners signed up to faithfully proclaim the Word of God at our liturgies.
In Christ,
Fr. Ryszard
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 Schedule 2022-23
October Schedule
Sunday School Sunday Morning Session: Pre K - Grade 5, in the Morton Center, 9:30-10:45 AM, October 9 and 23, 2022
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. 9 y 23 de octubre de 2022
Middle School Ministry (MSM) Sunday Morning Session: Grades 6-8, 9:30-10:45 AM in the Morton Center, October 2, 16, and 30, 2022
Ministerio de Escuela Intermedia (MSM) Sesión del domingo por la mañana: Grados 6-8, 9:30-10:45 AM en el Morton Center, 2, 16 y 30 de octubre de 2022
Confirmation Preparation Sunday Morning Session: Grades 9 through 12, 9:30-10:45 AM in the Morton Center, October 2, 16, and 30, 2022
Preparación para la Confirmación Sesión del domingo por la mañana: Grados 9 a 12, 9:30-10:45 AM en el Morton Center, 2, 16 y 30 de octubre de 2022
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.
Please take a moment to complete the parish registration form by clicking on the link below:
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.