Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:
TO ALL PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS WORKING IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL;
1. 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.
2. 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.
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 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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