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 MARCH: Welcome to the month of March, 2022, a month that leads us into the special season of Lent, a season in which we are called to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. With the Ash Wednesday (March 2) the Church ushers all into the solemn season of Lent to experience the profound call to repentance and renewal. This month presents us with these important feast days: St. Patrick (17th March), St. Joseph, the Husband of Blessed Virgin Mary (19th March), Annunciation of the Lord (25th March).
2. A FEW THOUGHTS ON LENT: As we approach the season of lent, may I remind all of the following regarding the season:
a. Abstinence: All the faithful who have reached 14 years of age and above are required to abstain totally from meat or favorite dish or drink on Ash Wednesday (March 2) and Good Friday (April 19) and all the Fridays of Lent.
b. Fasting: All the faithful between the ages of 18 and 60 years are obliged to fast. In practice, fasting involves limiting oneself to a single full meal or two smaller meals a day. Those who are sick, pregnant or nursing or whose health would adversely be affected by fasting should not consider themselves bound by this norm.
c. Parents and teachers are responsible for helping young persons, who are not bound by the norms regarding fasting and abstinence to recognize what constitutes a genuine sense of penance and self-denial. Everyone is required to also to pray fervently for the catechumens who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation during this period.
Please find below some of the other ways we can observe this period of Lent so as to benefit from the graces of the season:
i. Avoid Sin: Keep yourself away from all occasions that could lead to sin. Repent and return to God by a good sacramental confession and do appropriate penance if you fall into sin.
ii. Practice self-control; be more generous especially in giving to the poor and needy and in contributing to the works of the church, remission of debts and payment of just wages.
iii. Pursue and achieve reconciliation with anyone with whom you are not at peace.
iv. Read the Scriptures in order to deepen your intimacy with God, spread the kingdom of Christ and help others to know and return to Christ.
v. Pray before the Blessed Sacrament, go to Mass often, if possible, daily.
vi. Be regular at the stations of the cross on Wednesdays and Fridays and do it every day if you can.
vii. Take part in the Lenten programmes and retreats that will be organised in your parish. Take full part in the Holy week ceremonies.
viii. Pray your Rosary daily.
Note: Bear in mind that all other Fridays of the year remain Days of penance in prayerful remembrance of the passion of Jesus Christ.
3. LENTEN REFLECTIONS BY THE ARCHBISHOP: As has been the case in the last few years, theArchbishop, Alfred Adewale Martins will be offering daily lenten reflections during the whole season. The reflections will be transmitted as follows:
NTA CHANNEL 10: DSTV Channel 369 @ 6:55pm
LUMEN CHRISTI: DSTV Channel 350 @ 1:00pm & 9:15pm
RADIO: Metro 97.7FM @ 5:55am & 9:15pm
All our Social Media Platforms: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram: Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos. Everyone is encouraged to tune in and listen to the reflections as we pray that the Word of God will nourish our souls. Amen.
4. ARCHBISHOP JOHN KWAO AMUSU AGGEY 50TH MEMORIAL ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITIES: The second Archbishop of Lagos died 50years ago on 13th March 1972. A number of activities have been lined up in his memory and in celebration of his years of service, first as Auxiliary Bishop and later as the Archbishop of Lagos. The following activities, among others have been scheduled in conjunction with the Archbishop J.K.A. Aggey Foundation, a foundation which was established in his memory.
Sat., March 5, 2022– Posthumous Birthday Mass at St. Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja at 10am
Sun., March 13, 2022- 50th Memorial Thanksgiving at Holy Cross Cathedral at 08:30am Mass. Thanksgiving by members of the Archbishop Aggey Foundation.
Thurs., August 4th 2022- Remembrance of the 65th anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination of Archbishop Aggey during the Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins’ celebration of the 10th Anniversary of his installation at Holy Cross Cathedral at 12 noon.
Wed., September 14th 2022 (Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross)- 50th Memorial Anniversary Mass at Holy Cross Cathedral. Reception and other activities at OLPH Hall.
5. 2021 CARITAS-LAGOS SUNDAY COLLECTION (13th March): This is to remind all Parish Priests and Priests-in-Charge, that the proceeds from the Caritas-Lagos Collection is to be paid into the Caritas Account on or before Monday 21st March, 2022. Account details are as follows: FIDELITY BANK, 4110033795,ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS- CARITAS. We count on your cooperation.
6 ARCHDIOCESAN LENTEN PILGRIMAGE: The annual Archdiocesan Lenten Pilgrimage will take place as follows:
Date: Saturday 12th March, 2022
Venue: Ave Maria Grotto, Ikate Elegushi, Lekki
Time: 8:00am
All Priests and Lay Faithful are expected to attend and participate actively in this spiritual exercise.
7. LAITY WEEK CELEBRATION: The annual Laity week celebration comes up from the Sunday, 13th – 20th March, 2022 in all Parishes in the Archdiocese. The opening ceremony comes up on 13th March, 2022 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Ketu and the Laity week collection comes up on 20th March, 2022 in all parishes. Everyone is encouraged to participate actively.
8. SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF ABULE-ADO EXPLOSION: The second anniversary March 15, 2022. All priests are expected to celebrate Masses for the happy repose of the souls of the victims of the explosion.
9. ADMISSION INTO CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS: This is to inform our parents that admission into JSS 1 for the 2022/2023 academic session in all Catholic Secondary Schools in the Archdiocese of Lagos is in progress. The Entrance Examination comes up on 19th March, 2022 at the schools. Forms can be obtained at the school of choice, all Catholic Primary Schools in the Archdiocese, selected parishes and electronically on examcentre.ng or on any of the following 10 Catholic Archdiocesan Secondary Schools’ websites:
1. St Gregory College, South-West, Ikoyi http://www.stgregoryscollege.ng
2. Holy Child Girls College, Ikoyi http://www.holychildcollegeswikoyi.org
3. St Finbarr College, Akoka http://www.stfinbarrscollegeakoka.com
4. St Kizito College, Iju-Ishaga
5. Mater Ecclesiae College, Epe http://www.materecclesiaecollege.com
6. Sacred Heart College, Apapa http://www.sacredheartcollegeapapa.com.ng
7. Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Maryland http://www.mcssmaryland.org
8. Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Yaba http://www.olassyaba.sch.ng 9. Marywood Girls College, Ebute-Metta http://www.marywoodgc-lagos.org 10. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic College, Okokomaiko
Sale of forms will close one week to the date of examination. Let us give our children the holistic advantages that Catholic education offers!
10. JDPC LENTEN CAMPAIGN 2022: The JDPC Lenten Campaign is an annual programme of the CBCN, and is implemented by each Arch/Diocese during the period of Lent. To this effect there will be a Lenten Campaign Collection taken up in all Parishes on the Fourth Sunday of Lent – 27th March, 2022 at all Masses. Proceeds should be paid into;
Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Union Bank, 0000550113 on or before 1st May, 2022. Parish Priests and Priests-in-Charge should give this announcement the publicity it deserves.