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 JANUARY: A warm welcome to the month of January 2023. The first month of every year is no doubt, the month of new beginnings, new opportunities and a chance to start afresh. While the past year has been memorable in different ways, we hope and pray that as we step into the year 2023 with the joys of the season of Christmas still fresh in our hearts, it will be for each of us a year in which all that was short of our expectations in 2022 would be met. In the first part of January, we continue to rejoice and celebrate the birth of Christ at Bethlehem and in our hearts. We have the wonderful Feast of Mary, Mother of God, in which we honor Mary\’s highest title, and then we follow the Magi to the crib as they bring their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh on Epiphany Sunday. We reach the culmination of this season with the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Reluctantly, we take down our Christmas decorations and enter into the liturgical period known as the Ordinary Time of the Year during which we devote ourselves to the mystery of Christ in its entirety. The liturgical colour changes from white to green — a symbol of the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, the hope of a glorious resurrection.
2. ARCHBISHOP’S INTENTION FOR JANUARY 2023: for the grace to lead a holy life: We pray, as we begin the New Year for the grace to live a holy life. May God help us all to promote holiness of life.
3. SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (Sunday, 22nd January 2023): We recall that on September 30, 2019, the Holy Father Pope Francis established the 3rd Sunday in the Ordinary Time each year as the SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD. With the letter, Aperuit Illis, the Holy Father invites all Catholics across the world to deepen their appreciation, love and faithful witness to God and His Word. That day is to be observed as a special day devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God. The celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God for this year comes up on Sunday 22nd January 2023. On this day, all parishes in the Archdiocese shall have the Enthronement of the Word of God. Hence, we direct that all priests should begin to sensitize the faithful about this special Sunday and the prominence of the Word of God in the Life of the Christian. The Rite of Enthronement of the Bible shall be used. You will notice that the rite is embedded in the Mass of the day and it gives prominence to the Word of God. The Bible remains enthroned until Tuesday, 21st February 2023, the day before Ash Wednesday.
4. AUGUSTINE UNIVERSITY, ILARA (AUI) OFFERS NEW COURSES: Our Augustine University has got NUC approval to enrol students for the following new courses: B.Sc Mass Communication B.Sc Political Science B.Sc Biochemistry B.Sc Cyber Security B.Sc Fisheries and Aquaculture B.Sc Information Technology B.Sc Software Engineering.
5. ANTIOCH PASTORAL INSTITUTE: The Antioch Pastoral Institute offers a programme that leads to the award of a certificate in Theology of the New Evangelization. Duration: 1 year (10 modules). This programme is open to Parish Pastoral Assistants, Parish Evangelization Commission members, Faith Formators, Group Facilitators and all Catholics who desire to grow in and share the faith.
Requirements: Interested participants are;
- To obtain recommendation letters from their Parish priests,
- To be practicing/confirmed Catholics,
- To possess a minimum of SSCE or equivalent, possessing a good grasp of English Language, able to use the relevant technology and handle the required level of work/assignments and keep to the institute’s rules.
Forms are available for N1,000. For further enquiries, kindly visit: Religious Education Department, 19, Maye Street, off Montgomery Road, Yaba or contact: 08108846869, 08066224284.
6. THE MUSTARD SEED (New Catechism Book): This is a new catechism book approved in the Archdiocese for preparation of children for the Sacraments of Baptism/First Holy Communion. The book is now available and is sold for N800.00 per copy. All parishes should contact the Religious Education Department: 08108846869, 08066224284.
7. Diploma in Catechesis (Regular and Online Program): For all Pastoral workers, Catechists and lay faithful who wish to build their Catholic Faith. Regular Classes: Twice a month – 2nd and 3rd Saturdays of the month. Online – Entirely ONLINE – Once a week via zoom. It is structured to enable participants meet up with their respective work/business. Forms: N2,000.00 (Two thousand naira only). Resumption: Saturday 21st January, 2023. For further inquiries: +234 803 357 4050 or +234 703 512 1621.
8. 25th Episcopal Ordination Anniversary of the Archbishop: The 25th Episcopal Ordination Anniversary of our dear Archbishop comes up on Tuesday, 24th January, 2023.
9. Valentine’s Day with the Archbishop: The Catholic Lay Apostolate Centre in conjunction with the Association of Friends of Jesus (FOJ) and Catholic Youths Organization of Nigeria (CYON) invites all to the annual Valentine’s Day with the Archbishop. Theme: True Love: A Catalyst for Good Governance (1 Cor: 13: 1-13) Topic: Your Christianity must be acceptable to God and impactful on your community. Date: Saturday, 11th February, 2023 Time: 10:00 a.m. prompt starting with the Holy Mass Venue: St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Yaba Fee: N 1,000 per participant. NB: There will be renewal of marital vows for interested couples during the Mass. Goodwill Advert Placement costs N30,000. For more information, contact, 08026156606 or 08077003036.
10. ADMISSION INTO LAGOS ARCHDIOCESAN CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS: This is to inform our parents that admission into Basic 7 (JSS 1) for the 2023/2024 academic session in all Catholic Secondary Schools in the Archdiocese of Lagos is in progress. The Entrance Examination comes up on Saturday 11 February, 2023 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 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’s 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
Sales of forms will close one week to the date of examination. Let us give our children the holistic advantages that Catholic education offers!
11. St. Augustine College of Education, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos (Project T. I. M. E) Affiliated to University of Ibadan: We call on Parish Priests and Priests-in-Charge to inform their Parishioners that Admission is in progress for the 2022/2023 Session. With a minimum JAMB score of 200 and above for Full-Time and below 200 for Part-Time Degree programmes; 100 and above for NCE programmes, the College is the place for you. Our programmes include:
DEGREE PROGRAMMES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN:
Arts and Social Science:
B.Sc (Ed.) Economics B.Sc (Ed.) Political Science B.A (Ed.) English Language 10 B.Ed Social Studies B.A (Ed.) CRS/IRS B.Ed Educational Management B.Ed Guidance and Counselling Science and Technology Department B.Sc (Ed.) Physics B.Sc (Ed.) Chemistry B.Sc (Ed.) Mathematics B.Sc (Ed.) Biology B.Sc (Ed.) Computer Science All Degree Certificates are awarded by the University Of Ibadan.
NIGERIA CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (NCE) PROGRAMMES:
I. Computer science, Economics, CRS/IRS, Political Science, English Language, Social Studies, Business Education (Accounting & Secretarial studies), Primary Education. Studies (PES), Early Childhood care & Education (ECCE), Adult and Non-formal Education, and Mathematics.
II. Science and Technology: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Integrated Science.
All NCE Certificates are awarded by the College. Duration: Full Time-3years, Part Time-4 Years Requirement for Degree and NCE Programmes (Full-Time and Part Time): 5 or 6 Credits in One or Two sittings PDE (Professional Diploma In Education)- First Degree or H. N. D. from any recognized Tertiary Institution. 11 v Catechesis- Practicing and intending Catechists or O\’ Level Certificate.
METHOD OF APPLICATION TO ALL COLLEGE PROGRAMMES:
Obtain your application form at St. Augustine College of Education, 2, Moronfolu Street, by Pako Bus stop, Close to FCE (Technical) and UNILAG, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos State OR LOG-ON TO www.staugustinecollege.edu.ng and follow the guidelines. For further enquiries, please call: 08065954493, 08024582945 OR 08033244652(Catechesis), 07035121621.