Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:
TO ALL PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS WORKING IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL;
- THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER: We welcome you all to the month of September, the ninth month of the year which notably brings the Third Quarter of the year to an end. This month ushers us into the “ember” months which remind us that the year is gradually coming to an end and the need to examine the progress made thus far particularly in our Christian life-journey. In this month, the Church in her wisdom presents to her faithful, feasts which assist us to understand and appreciate the paschal mystery of Our Lord Jesus Christ. These feasts include; the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8 and the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross on September 14. The Nativity of Mary marks the beginning of the unraveling of God’s plan of salvation for his people, while the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, which is the patronal feast day of our Archdiocese, along with the resurrection, brings to completion the mission of God’s plan for his people on the Cross. Other feast days in this month are:
St. Peter Claver (9th September),
St. John Chrysostom (13th September),
Our Lady of Sorrows (15th September),
SS. Cornelius and Cyprian (16th September),
St. Andrew Kim Taegon & Companions (20th September),
St. Matthew (21st September),
St. Pio of Pietrelcina (23rd September),
St. Vincent de Paul (27th September),
SS. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels (29th September),
St. Jerome (30th September).
- POPE’S INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER 2023: For People Living on the Margins: We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance.
- ARCHBISHOP’S INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER 2023: For Widows and Orphans: We pray for widows and orphans, especially those marginalized by their families. May God be their strength in their trying moments and keep them in love.
- FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS: This Feast comes up on Thursday, 14th September, 2023. This is the Principal Feast Day of our Archdiocese.
- ON PHOTOGRAPH-TAKING ON THE SANCTUARY: The Sanctuary is a holy place, a sacred space within the Sacred Space that the church building is. We, therefore, expect that it should not be turned to a photo-shoot place, used after every liturgical ceremony, such as weddings, baptism, funeral Masses, etc. If any photographs at all would be taken, they should be done as exceptions and never as the rule, and people must not be allowed to saunter around on the sanctuary on which the altar of sacrifice is located.
- i. 40TH PRIESTLY ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY AND 25TH EPISCOPAL ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES: The celebration of the 40th Priestly Ordination anniversary of our Archbishop and his classmates and the 25th Episcopal Ordination anniversary of the Archbishop himself comes up this Saturday, 16th September, 2023. The anniversaries Mass shall be celebrated at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos at 10:00am.
ii. ARCHBISHOP ALFRED ADEWALE MARTINS FAMILY QUIZ: This is scheduled to hold on Sunday 17th September, 2023 beginning with the Holy Mass at 10:00am. All Participants should take note.
iii. PRIESTLY ORDINATION: To the glory of God, our deacons, Revds. Anthony Eze, Augustine Dodo, Benedict Anike, Benjamin Odii, Callistus Onyele, Christopher Ngbede, Kizito Emenalo, Martins Igbadumhe, Peter Ulasi, Raphael Onah, and Emmanuel Eze CMF, will be ordained priests by 10:00am on Thursday, 21st September, 2023 at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos. Let us keep them in our prayers as we continue to pray for all our Clergy.
iv. ST. THOMAS MORE AWARD OF RECOGNITION: This award comes as an acknowledgement of lay persons within the Archdiocese who have dedicated their time, talents and resources to the growth of the Archdiocese either at Parish, Deanery and Archdiocesan levels. This award shall be presented to the awardees on Saturday 23rd September, 2023 at the end of the Holy Mass which shall begin by 10:00am at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.
- OCTOBER ROSARY PROCESSION/REPARATION PRAYER FOR PEACE IN NIGERIA: In line with our annual program, we invite all Catholics to our annual October Rosary Procession/Reparation Prayers for peace in Nigeria. This Archdiocesan Procession will start from the National Stadium, Surulere and end at the Marian shrine, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland.
Date: Sunday, 1st October 2023
Time: 7:30am Let us all respond to Mary’s call to prayer & Reparation. May God bless our dear Nation with Justice & Peace.
- FEST2LAFF 2023: The Gospel Comedy Concert/Charity Fund-Raiser Season 5, organized to create entertainment and raise funds to assist the less privileged tagged: “Fest2laff with MC Smart and Catholic Comedians…The Wheel and the Wheelers” is scheduled to hold as follows:
Date: Sunday 8th October, 2023
Time: 4pm-10pm
Venue: The Hall, 16 Musa Yar’ Adua Street Victoria Island, Lagos.
Ticket: Regular N5000, VIP N20,000
Tables: Gold N500,000.
Premium: N1,000,000
Seat on a Table: N50,000 & N100, 000 respectively.
Tickets are available in all Parishes.
For sponsorship and enquires please call MC SMART on: 08062499548