Parish Announcements – 20th October, 2024

1. MISSION SUNDAY: Today is World Mission Sunday set aside by the Church to remind us that by virtue of our baptism, we have a common duty to proclaim the Good News and be witnesses of the Gospel in our Community. We are called to support the missions all over the world by prayers and donations. Theme: “Go and invite everyone to the Banquet” (cf. Mt.22:1-14). Our Second Collection will be in support of Missionary activities (Evangelization) all over the world, kindly donate generously.

2. SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE POOR: Today, Sunday, 20^th October 2024 shall be our monthly Special Collection for the Poor. This collection is to help offshoot the activities of St. Vincent De Paul. Let us all prepare to donate generously. “Remember, whatsoever you do to the least of my brother  s, that you do unto me”

3. ALL SAINTS: Friday, 1^st November, 2024, is the Solemnity of All Saints. It is a day when the Church celebrates all the holy men and women, known and unknown. It is a holy day of obligation. Let us all prepare to attend mass and observe it accordingly. Masses shall be at the usual times.

4. ALL SOULS: Saturday, 2^nd November, 2024, is the Commemoration of All the faithful departed (All Souls). Special envelopes will be distributed today for us to write the names of our departed loved ones and make an offering for masses throughout the month of November. Masses shall be at 6:30am, 12:30pm and 6:00pm.

5. ICON VISITATION: The Icon Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Redemptorist Fathers will be from today, 20^th October to Sunday, 27^th October 2024. Let us all prepare to participate actively in this spiritual exercise.

DATE	TOPIC
20/10/2024 – 27/10/2024	ICON VISITATION
28/10/2024	NECESSITY OF DEVOTION TO MARY: A PATH TO SANCTIFICATION
29/10/2024	MARY LIVING FAITH & DIVINE WISDOM
30/10/2024	MARY, THE GATE OF HEAVEN
31/10/2024	MARY, STAR OF THE NEW EVANGLIZATION

6. SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: SCC meetings will take place at various community centers on Wednesday, 23^rd October, 2024 at 6pm. Scriptural reading: Mark 10:46-52. Please note that there will be no evening Mass or Society meetings during the SCC time. There shall be mass this Wednesday at Our Lady of Immaculate Conception SCC. Venue: 4th Avenue, 40/41 Road, House 19B, Festac Town. All those living around should be in attendance. Please refer to the Parish notice board or parish website for the various centers.

7. CHRISTIAN WAKE: There will be Christian Wake for Late Mr John Idemudia Iyoha on Tuesday, 22^nd October, 2024 by 6:00pm. Venue: 24 Road, K close, Block 1, Flat 1 Festac Lagos. We are all encouraged to pray for the repose of his soul.

8. UNDOER OF KNOTS INAUGURATION: We shall have the official inauguration of the Our Lady of knots prayer group next Sunday, October 27^th 2024 during the 10am mass. Our Lady Undoer of Knots, Pray for us.

9. REQUIEM MASS: There will be Requiem Mass for Late Mrs Elizabeth Chioma Unachukwu on Friday, 24^th October, 2024 by 12:30pm. She was a member of St. Gerald Society, Catholic Charismatic Renewal & Catholic Women Organization. We are all encouraged to pray for the repose of her soul.

10. MEETING WITH PARENTS OF CATECHUMENS: There shall be a meeting for all parents/guardians of Catechism children with the Catechists and parish priests on Saturday 2^nd November 2024 by 4pm. Attendance is mandatory.

11. BLESSSING OF WATER & SACRAMENTALS: There will be blessing of water and other sacramental every Tuesday during the evening mass. We are all encouraged to participate actively.

12. TRADE FEST 2024: Are you interested in having a stand at the much awaited 2024 HFCC TRADE FEST (2^nd Edition)? The Trade Fest this year will be a 2-days event: Saturday,14^th December and Sunday 15^th December 2024. Book your space now for just 40,000 for 2 days(Saturday & Sunday) or 20,000 for 1 day. Contact:08130379103 and 08102205455 on whatsapp for bookings and more information. NB: priority will be given to vendors who pay early as no more than 3 vendors will sell the same items.

13. CATECHISM CLASSES: This is to inform parishioners that registration for Catechism Classes for sacrament of Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation runs from 6^th to 21^st November 2024. Avail yourself of the opportunity while it lasts. Meanwhile, Parents and Guardians of the ongoing catechism children should kindly take note that catechism classes begin at 3:45pm and closes at 6:00pm. Kindly ensure that the children are picked up out of the compound by 6:15pm on Saturdays after the catechism classes.

14. BLESSSING OF WATER & SACRAMENTALS: There will be blessing of water and other sacramental every Tuesday during the evening mass. We are all encouraged to participate actively.

15. OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP: Parishioners are encouraged to light candles for their various intentions at the statue of Our Lady of Perpetual Help beside the Sanctuary. Please note that ONLY CUP CANDLES are allowed.

16. ALTAR WINE: Please be reminded that our altar wine is now sold for N6,500 (per bottle) and N78,000 (per carton). We apologize for any inconveniences.

17. SECURITY ALERT: Dear beloved parishioners, beware of the fraudulent activities in our parish! Scammers are hacking into WhatsApp platforms, asking for money or codes. Never send money or personal information via email or message and verify requests by contacting the parish office or priests directly.

18. PARISH ID CARDS: This is to inform parishioners that the Parish ID cards of those who registered since last year 2023 and beyond are ready for collection at the Parish Office, kindly go to the Parish Office to check. Also, we encourage our new members to please register at the Parish Office and those whose card is expired can as well renew at the Parish Office.

19. CLEANING OF THE CHURCH: We kindly urge all parishioners to adopt a proper maintenance culture regarding the upkeep of our church properties and premises. This includes:

– Using the waste bins provided to dispose of trash, rather than littering the church grounds.

– Make use of the Toilet and Ensure it is left in a clean state after use.

– Returning and properly arranging chairs to their designated places after use (we appeal to all societies to take responsibility for this).

– Parents, please supervise your children and prevent them from damaging the flowers.

We extend our gratitude to those parishioners who have been consistently helping with sweeping and maintaining the church compound’s cleanliness. May God bless you all.

20. HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC PARISH LIBRARY: We are pleased to inform you that the Anthony Cardinal Okogie Reference (Parish) Library located beside the Anthony Cardinal Okojie Lower Hall is here to serve you better. At very affordable prices, we offer the following services: Photocopying, Lamination, Binding, Spiral Binding, Typing, Printing, Colored Photocopy etc. We also offer a vast range of books ranging from Literature to Accounting to Economics and a lot more. Working Hours: Mondays to Fridays. Time: 9am- 4pm. God bless you as you patronize us. For further enquiries on how to use to library or any of its services, please call: 09036389533 or 08169228063 (Ms. Chinwe).

21. (1%) ONE PERCENT BIBLE CHALLENGE: We wish to encourage all Parishioners to read and study the word of God for at least 15minutes every day; which is about 1% of 24 hours. For this week, we shall be reading from the 1^st letters of St. Paul to the Thessalonians. Take up this challenge faithfully as stated below and be enriched spiritually.

Day/Month	Bible Passages
20th October	1 Thessalonians	Chapters 1
21st October	1 Thessalonians	Chapters 2
22nd October	1 Thessalonians	Chapters 3
23rd October	1 Thessalonians	Chapters 4
24th October	1 Thessalonians	Chapters 5
25th October	2 Thessalonians	Chapters 1&2
26th October	2Thessalonians	Chapters 3

22. RETURN TO THE SACRAMENTS: We wish to encourage those who have been estranged from the sacraments for one reason or the other especially the Holy Eucharist, to return to the Sacraments. Kindly meet any of the Priests if you are having any difficulty in this regard. May Christ grant us life through His Body and Blood. Amen.