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 APRIL: Welcome to the month of April 2024, a month in which the Church continues to celebrate the joy of Easter and the gift of New Life in Christ who defeated death and Satan for us. It is also a month in we seek the mercy of God in a special way as we celebrate Divine Mercy. In this month, the following feasts, among others, are celebrated: Divine Mercy Sunday (April 7th), Annunciation of the Lord (April 8th), Good Shepherd Sunday (April 21st), St. Mark the Evangelist (April 25th), St. Catherine of Siena (April 29th).
- POPE’S INTENTION FOR APRIL 2024: For the Role of Women: We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognized in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world.
- ARCHBISHOP’S INTENTION FOR APRIL 2024: For the Poor: We pray for those who are impoverished and suffer from lack of food, clothing and shelter. May God enrich them in their poverty and provide for them in their needs.
- ARCHDIOCESAN NOVENA FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNUNCIATION: Sequel to the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Lord which is on Monday, 8th April, 2024; the Archdiocesan Novena for the Solemnity begins from Tuesday 2nd April, 2024 to Sunday 7th April, 2024. The Theme is “May it be done unto me according to your word” (Lk 1:38) at The Archdiocesan Marian Shrine, Maryland by 4:30 pm daily.
- VOCATIONS SUNDAY: Sunday, 21st April, 2024 is Vocation Sunday. We are all enjoined to pray to God for an increase in vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life that God will raise up in our Archdiocese many holy Priests, brothers and sisters who, in selfless and willing service, will lead the people to knowledge of Him. As a follow up, there shall be the Seminary Collection on this day.
- ARCHBISHOP ADEWALE MARTINS CATHOLIC FAITH FAMILY PROJECT: The Archbishop Adewale Martins Catholic Faith Family project is a faith and moral advocacy project sponsored by Knights of St. John International and Ladies Auxiliary which is the form of a Quiz competition. The Schedules are as follows:
Parish Level: April 1st, 2024
Deanery Level: May 26th, 2024
Regional Level: July 28th, 2024
Grand Finale: September 8th, 2024
The Program Syllabus is:
Old Testament: Books of Deuteronomy and Isaiah
New Testament: Gospel of Mark and Galatians
Catechism: The Church, the Liturgy of the Church, Sacred Vessels and Vestments, Sacraments and Sacramentals.
There are a lot of exciting prizes to be won. For more information, refer to the relevant Laity Council bodies at the Parish, Deaneries and Archdiocesan levels.
- THE CYON ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS ESSAY COMPETITION: The 6th edition of the CYON Archdiocese of Lagos Essay competition is titled “Loan Giants: The Truth and Woes of Financial Inclusion and Inequality”. All entries should be sent to cyonadclagos@gmail.com on or before midnight of 13th April, 2024. All participants are to be practicing Catholic youths between the ages of 15-35 years with their full name and contact details clearly stated in the essay. The essay must not be more than two thousand (2000) words with Times New Roman as font style and font size of 12. For more information and sponsorship contact: cyonadclagos@gmail.com or call 08167137595 or 070852366752
- THE ARCHBISHOP’S CHORAL CUP COMPETITION (ACCC) 2024: The Second Edition of Archbishop’s Choral Cup Competition in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Laity Council, St. Gregory Diploma School of Pastoral Music (in affiliation with Augustine University, Epe) and St. Augustine College of Education, Akoka, Lagos is being organized to honour the 12th anniversary of the installation of the Archbishop as Archbishop of Lagos. It begins in April, 2024. The details of the competition are as follows;
i. Deaneries in the different Regions are to meet in the parish of their Deans for the first part of the competition. The date for each deanery is:
IKEJA REGION: Saturday 20th April, 2024.
BADAGRY REGION: Sunday 21st April, 2024
LAGOS REGION: Saturday 27th April, 2024
LEKKI REGION: Sunday 28th April, 2024
ii. Choirs in the first and second positions from each Deanery will converge in the parish of the Episcopal Vicars for the second round in June, 2024. Only the first and second in the regions in the regional level will proceed to the Grand finale.
iii. The Grand Finale which will feature 8 choirs will be in the month of August, 2024.
Do kindly note that:
a. Competition is compulsory for all parishes. Any parish that would not participate should write to the Archbishop with reasons for non-participation.
b. Parishes are to pay N5, 000.00 participation fees.
c. Parish priests/priests in charge are to ensure active participation of their Choirs.
d. The maximum choir presentation in regards to the number of choristers including the conductor is not more than 50. There is no minimum requirement.
e. Each choir should sing with their hard copies while on stage.
f. All Priests in charge of the hosting parishes are kindly implored to give maximum co-operation to the Music Commission for the use of their parish/halls.
For further enquiries, please consult the Music Commission Director, Fr. Peter Osuntope on 08023700587