Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:
TO ALL PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS WORKING IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL;
1. THE MONTH OF APRIL: Welcome to the month of April, 2023, a month that leads us into the special season of Easter. This season begins with the celebration of the Resurrection of our Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ, the climax of the Holy Week celebrations. In this month, these remarkable events of the mystery of our salvation are celebrated as well as some important feast days: St. Anselm (April 21st), St. Mark the Evangelist (April 25th), St. Catherine of Siena (April 29th). Throughout the entire month, the Church continues to celebrate the joy of Easter and the gift of new life in Christ. Though the way to the resurrection was the way of the cross, the Lamb of God sacrificed is now and forever Christ our Light, the eternal High Priest of the new covenant. And his sorrowful mother, the Stabat Mater of Good Friday, is now the jubilant Regina Caeli.
2. POPE’S INTENTION FOR APRIL 2023: For a culture of peace and nonviolence: We pray for the spread of peace and non-violence, by decreasing the use of weapons by States and citizens.
3. ARCHBISHOP’S INTENTION FOR APRIL 2023: For those seeking the fruit of the womb: That married couples looking up to God would be blessed with the fruit of the womb and that pregnant women would have safe delivery.
4. INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES: EUCHARISTIC DAY: The Eucharistic Day is part of the International Exhibition on Eucharistic Miracles that was designed by Bleesed Carlo Acutis. The exhibition catalogs 163 Eucharistic miracles from all over the world that he researched into and put together on a website before he died at the age of 15. He was able to do this within 15 years that he lived in this world. The international exhibition is currently going on at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery. As part of the exhibition, the Eucharistic Day will hold on Saturday 22nd April, 2023. The program of the day will include a Conference to be given by Msgr. Paschal Nwaezeapu, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession and Holy Mass. Time: 9:00am -3:00pm Venue: Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, Sangotedo, Lagos.
5. Archbishop Adewale Martins Catholic Faith Family Project: The Religious Education Department of the Archdiocese of Lagos in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Laity Council has organized the Archbishop Adewale Martins Catholic Faith Family Project for this year and calls on families to participate actively. The Programme timelines are as follows:
i. Reading and Learning – (February 16th – April 16th, 2023)
ii. Parish Competition – (April 16th 2023)
iii. Deanery Competition – (May 28th 2023)
iv. Regional Competition – (July 2nd 2023)
v. Archdiocesan Competition (Grand Finale)/ 40th Priestly Ordination Anniversary of His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins. – (September 17th 2023).
NB: Details of the syllabus for study/competition can be found on the posters in various parishes.
6. Mater Ecclesiae Monastery: Monthly Retreat: Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, Sangotedo, Lagos, organizes a day of spiritual retreat for young girls from 15 years and above for the purpose of discerning their vocation. The retreat is scheduled to hold on the first Saturday of every month. Time: 9:00 am – 4.00 pm. Venue: Mater Ecclesia Monastery, Sangotedo, Lekki, Lagos. Mater Ecclesiae Retreat Center: Mater Ecclesiae Retreat Center, located in the serene atmosphere of the Monastery, is officially open to everyone for personal and Group Retreats. Time for Public Adoration to the Most Holy Sacrament is from Mondays to Saturdays 9:00am to 8:30pm; on Sundays after 9:00am Mass to 12:15pm; and from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Also, you can visit the Book Centre. For more inquiries, call 09085648168.
7. Worldwide Marriage Encounter: The Worldwide Marriage Encounter Nigeria is organizing a marriage enrichment program with the theme; “Original Weekend.” This program is designed to foster a happier and closer bond between spouses. The program is scheduled to hold as follows: Date: 29th– 30th April, 2023. Venue: Our Lady of Apostles Conference Centre, inside St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos. Arrival is at 7.00am on the 29th of April 2023. NB: Payment is N50,000 per couple. Payment covers registration fee, meal (2 days) and shelter. Kindly send payments to the following account details: FCMB. Worldwide Marriage Encounter, Nigeria. 3426431011. For further enquiries, kindly contact; Fr. Dominic Onuoha – 07030857067, Adiele – 08033238822, Ngozi – 08182800166, Timothy and Martina – 08130285777.
8. CYON YOUNG ENTERPRISE NETWORK (YEN), FACILITATED BY THE LAGOS STATE EMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND (LESTF): Having partnered with Jobberman Nigeria in the 2022 edition of their Annual Leadership Seminar with over 5,000 youths successfully certified in soft-skill training, the CYON Lagos Archdiocese would partner this year with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LESTF) on Leadership seminar tagged the Young Enterprise Network (YEN), on the 22nd April 2023. Youths trained would be incorporated into LESTF’s database of viable employable persons for employers of labour to engage them. The event would feature: · Panel Discussions · Mock interview sessions anchored by Jobberman and LESTF · And end with a Fashion and Music showcase where Catholic fashion designers would feature alongside Headline Acts. Registration is N1,000 per person. The link for registration is as follows:
i. http://bit.ly/3koGkJp. Catholics interested in being part of this event should register through their CYON Parish president while non-Catholics should follow the instructions on the link to register.
ii. For partnership/sponsorship and more information, contact: · Chukwuemeka Anyiam-Osigwe: Archdiocesan CYON President – 08090821736 · Ilobah Ebuke John: Archdiocesan Director of Socials and Chairman – 08100867070 · Esther Shibigem: Archdiocesan General Secretary – 08167137595 · Augustine Onwudiwe: Archdiocesan Public Relations Officer – 07015058553.
9. Unusual Entrepreneur 2023: The 2023 Unusual Praise will take place at TBS on December 15 from 5.00pm till dawn. Application for the 2023 Unusual Entrepreneur Programme to help our less-privileged Catholics set up small businesses or support existing ones is now open. To apply online, kindly visit www.unusualentrepreneurs.com. For more information please visit our website or send an email to info@www.unusualentrepreneurs.com. Application closes on 20th May 2023. Furthermore, we are raising Catholic Gospel Ministers. Talented Gospel Singers who wish to participate in our auditioning should visit: midyearpraise.audition@gmail.com. Registration closes on April 17. We appeal to Parish Priests to please make this announcement in their parishes to assist interested parishioners. You may also contact Msgr. Paschal Nwaezeapu for clarifications.
