From Archbishop’s Desk – September 17th, 2023

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:

TO ALL PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS WORKING IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL;

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. i.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, 21^st September, 2023 at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos. Let us keep them in our prayers as we continue to pray for all our Clergy.
   
   ii. 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 September 23^rd, 2023 at the end of the Holy Mass which shall begin by 10:00am at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.

5. INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES: EUCHARISTIC DAY: An international exhibition has been going for some time now. As part of the exhibition, the program called Eucharistic Day will hold on, Saturday, 23^rd September 2023. The program of the day will include a Conference to be given by Msgr. Paschal Nwaezeapu, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Confession and Holy Mass.
   Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm
   Venue: Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, Sangotedo, Lagos.
   NB: The Closing date for the Exhibition has been extended to the Solemnity of Christ the King, in November 2023.

6. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC LAWYERS, LAGOS ARCHDIOCESE (NACL LAGOS) 2023 New Legal Year Mass & Annual General Meeting: This is to invite all Catholic Lawyers of the Archdiocese to the 2023 New Legal Year Mass and Annual General Meeting of the NACL holding on Sunday 24^th September 2023 at the Holy Cross Cathedral as follows: The Legal Year Mass will be by 10:30am prompt, while the Annual General Meeting will be immediately after the Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral Community Hall.

7. AUGUSTINE UNIVERSITY, ILARA (AUI) OFFERS NEW COURSES: Our Augustine University has got NUC approval to enroll 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.