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 OCTOBER: Welcome to the month of October, the tenth month of the year which ushers us into the fourth quarter of the year. The month of October is dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and we celebrate the first day of the month as the Solemnity of Our Lady, Queen and Patroness of Nigeria. During this month, the Church invites us to take full advantage of the maternal patronage of Our Blessed Mother through the praying of the Holy Rosary as we participate in the activities of October Devotion. All Catholics are therefore enjoined to participate in the activities of October Devotion at the Parish and family levels. Anyone who prays the rosary every day, with faith and a deep sense of devotion in contrast to mere mechanical and superficial recitation, stands to receive divine favours and protection.
In this month, the Church also presents us with the lives of the following saints as models to guide our spiritual journeys: St. Francis of Asisi (October 4), Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7), St. Ignatius of Antioch (October 17), St. Anthony Mary Claret (October 24) and Ss. Simon and Jude (October 28).
2. THE RETURN OF KISS OF PEACE TO STATUS QUO: Recall that at the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, guidelines were issued for the sacraments, one of which was the suspension of the kiss of peace through exchange of handshakes. Following the just concluded 2nd plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference at Orlu, the suspension of the kiss of peace was lifted. We hereby declare that we return to the status quo, that is, exchange of handshakes for the kiss of peace with immediate effect. May the Blessed Virgin Mary continue to intercede for us and the whole world. Amen.
3. NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC AND PASTORAL CONGRESSES: The National Eucharistic Congress is a spiritual exercise which entails the gathering of all members of the Church, (Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful), with the objective of focusing on the way that our encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist empowers us to live and share his love with others. The major aim is to enlighten, educate and promote a deeper Eucharistic spirituality. The Congress holds every ten years with the first edition held in 1982 (Abuja), the second in 1992 (Owerri), the third in 2002 (Ibadan), the fourth in 2012 (Abuja) while the 2022 edition will hold from 11th to 13th November, 2022 in Benin- City. In preparation for the National Eucharistic Congress, there shall be celebrations of Eucharistic Congresses at Parish and Archdiocese levels.
i. Eucharistic Congress in all parishes shall be held on Sunday 9th October, 2022. Activities should begin at 4pm with Rosary/Eucharistic procession with the Parish premises, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy hour with a Catechesis.
B. NATIONAL PASTORAL CONGRESS: The National Pastoral Congress is usually celebrated alongside the National Eucharistic Congress. It is a gathering of selected members of the Church, Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful, to discuss and come up with a pastoral vision for the Church in Nigerian with the next ten years in view. The first of its kind was held in 2002. For the year 2022, the Congress will hold from 8th – 11th November in Benin City. The working document and focus of discussion at the Congress will be the National Synthesis of the recently concluded Synodal processes held at various local levels. Participation will be by representation and those concerned will be informed in due course.
4. SPECIALIST EYE SCREENING PROMO: The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Management of St Raphael Divine Mercy Specialist Hospital, Ijede Road, Ikorodu invites you to a One-Month program of subsidized eye screening, with free registration, free consultation, highly subsidized eye tests and laboratory tests, glasses and surgeries. Date: 10th October, 2022 to 4th November, 2022. Note: Consultation is by appointment. For Enquiries and booking for Appointments please call us on 07048828247 or 08140191942.
5. WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER NIGERIA: The Worldwide Marriage Encounter Team will be holding a program titled “An Original Weekend”. This program is aimed at unlocking the powers of marriage with a view to enhancing a healthy Christian marriage in the growth and development of holiness of life. Date: 15th-16th October, 2022. Venue: Lagos Resource Center, 9, Anifowose Street, off Adeola Odekun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Arrival: 7am, 15th October, 2022. Participation Fee: N50,000 (Accommodation & 2 days meal). Kindly make payments to: Worldwide Marriage Encounter Nigeria, FCMB: 3426431011. For Further Enquiries, please contact Rev. Fr. Dominic Onuoha (07030857067), Fr. Miguel Gomez (08098644835), Adiele & Ngozi (08033238822) or Timothy & Martina (08182800166).
6. FEST2LAFF CONCERT: The Gospel Comedy Concert/Charity fund program (Season 4), aimed at assisting the less privileged tagged “Fest2Laff with MC Smart and Catholic Comedians… The Wheel and the Testament” comes up on Sunday 16th October, 2022 at McGovern Hall, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland. Time: 4pm-6pm Ticket: Regular (N3,000), VIP (N10,000) , Seat on a Table (N50,000), Table for 10 (N500,000). Tickets are available in all Parishes. For sponsorship and enquiries, please call MCSMART on: 08062499548.
7. ANTHONY CARDINAL OKOGIE FOUNDATION ANNUAL LECTURE: The Anthony Cardinal Okogie Foundation Annual Lecture comes up, Date: Thursday, 20th October, 2022. Time: 10:00 am prompt. Topic: “Salvaging a Bruised and Battered Nation”. Guest Speaker: Dr. Linus Akor. Venue: McGovern Hall, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Ikeja. Delegate card: N5,000.00 per person.
We implore Parish Priests and Priest-in-Charge of Parishes and Chaplaincies in the Archdiocese to kindly send two (2) participants for N10,000.00. Deanery Laity Councils and Archdiocesan Lay Organization/Society/Association are to send two (2) participants each for N10,000.00 and place Goodwill Message. Kindly write cheques in favour of Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos ACOF Annual Lecture Planning OR Direct payment into Access Bank Account No. 1621314206. Please send the soft copy of the goodwill materials to WhatsApp No. 08026156606 or catholiclayapostolatecentre01@gmail.com and catholiclayapostolatecentre@yahoo.com. Call the Director’s office on 08077003036 for further information. Thank you for your generous support. NB: Delegate card can be purchased at the Catholic Lay Apostolate Centre, Ebute-Metta.
8. WORLD MISSION SUNDAY: The World Mission Sunday comes up on Sunday 23rd October, 2022. Theme: You shall be my witnesses. (Acts 1:8). It is expected that as we pray for the success of missionary activities of the Church, collections on that day would be remitted to the chancery and forwarded to Rome in order to assist the Holy Father in meeting the needs of missionary activity all over the world
9. FIFTH SUNDAY LAITY COLLECTION: The 5th Sunday Collection is not just a special collection; it is the 2nd collection on the Sundays in which they occur. All Parishes, Quasi Parishes and Chaplaincies in the Archdiocese are to take up this second collection in the months that have a fifth Sunday in the year. The proceeds of such second collection are to be shared to enhance the work of the Councils at the various levels as follows: Parish Laity Councils (60%), Deanery Laity Councils (20%), Archdiocesan Laity Council (20%).
