Parish Announcement – 13th March, 2022

PARISH PRIEST’S DESK:

1. SOARING ON THE WINGS OF GRACE

We wish to thank God and all parishioners for the success of our just concluded 21-Days Foundational Prayer Retreat. We wish to encourage us to continue to soar on the wings of Grace this 2022 by:

• Attending masses regularly.
• Reading the Word of God daily.
• Spending time in prayer and adoration daily.
• Join a society and get involved in the Church Activities.
• Get a Mass Journal and write something from the homily every Sunday.
• Grow in the knowledge of the Faith and Church Doctrines.

May God continue to bless us all!!! Amen

1. SECURITY ALERT: We wish to call our attention to the increase in the level of insecurity especially before the 6am mass. Extra measures have been taken around the Church and Event Center. Parishioners should endeavour to be more conscious on their way to masses. May the Lord protect us from every evil. Amen.

1. At the expiration of the 28^th February 2022 deadline and 24 hours grace period given to Societies and Organizations the following groups failed to submit their year 2021 Financial Report.

1. ST. JUDE
2. SINGLES AND MARRIED
3. SS RAPHAEL & GABRIEL
4. ST. GERARD
5. PIOUS WOMEN
6. FRIENDS OF EHJ
7. MOD
8. RED CROSS

In line with the resolution of the Parish Pastoral Council, all the above listed groups are hereby suspended from holding meetings/programmes in the Parish pending the joint meeting of the Pastoral Team and the executives of the affected societies. The affected leaders should take note and await the invitation for the proposed joint session.

1. S.C.C. AWARENESS: The month of March is specially dedicated to the Small Christian Communities in the Parish. Let us all endeavour to join the nearest SCCs closest to our homes.

          ……………..PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS……………………

1. 2022 CARITAS LAGOS SUNDAY: There will be a special collection at all the masses today for CARITAS LAGOS. This is to support other Dioceses, Parishes, Seminaries and other institutions in need. Let us all donate generously.

1. ORGANIZATIONS MEETING: Today, 13^th January 2022, is the Monthly General Meetings of the CMO and CWO (after the 10.30am Mass), and CYON (after the 9:00am Mass). Let us all ensure we attend our respective organizations as it promises to be brief.

1. FEAST DAY: Thursday, 17^th March is the Feast of St Patrick (Bishop), the Secondary Patron of Nigeria. We are all encouraged to attend mass. There shall be masses at the usual times.

1. SOLEMNITY: Saturday, 19^th March is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Blessed Virgin Mary. We are all obliged to attend mass. There shall be masses at the usual times.

1. LAITY WEEK CELEBRATION: The annual 2022 Archdiocesan Laity Week Celebration begins today, 13^th March 2022 and ends next week Sunday, 20^th March 2022. Topic: “Resilience in Witnessing for Christ amidst Socio-Economic and Security Challenges”. There shall be brief talks daily at the evening masses and during the 6:30am mass on Saturday after the post communion prayers, we are all encouraged to be in attendance. Below are the topics for each day.

Day 1- Sun., 13^th Mar., 2022             a. Opening Ceremony (St Michael Catholic Church, Ketu) b. Resilience Amidst Challenges: Lord’s Approach and     Strategy for Survival.

Day 2- Mon., 14^th Mar., 2022           Sanctity of Human Life amidst Increasing Insecurity and Violence in Nigeria.

Day 3- Tues., 15^th Mar., 2022           Mobilizing Laity Resources for Evangelization.

Day 4- Wed., 16^th Mar., 2022           Participation of the Lay Apostolate in Witnessing to the Gospel of Christ in Nigeria.

Day 5- Thurs., 17^th Mar., 2022         a. Resilence and Conviction: Indispensable Tools for Prophetic Witnessing.   
                                   b. Complementary Role of Christian Parental Modelling in the Light of Modernity.

Day 6- Fri., 18^th Mar., 2022              The Role of the Laity in a Distressed Nation.

Day 7- Sat., 19^th Mar., 2022             Corporal Works of Mercy.

Day 8- Sun., 20^th Mar., 2022            Grand Finale and Laity Week Collection.

Note: There will be a special collection next Sunday, 20^th March 2022 to support the Laity. Let us prepare to donate generously.

1. SEMINARIAN: We welcome our seminarian, Mr. Linford Unogu to our parish for his six-month Pastoral apostolate. We wish him a fulfilling stay here at Holy Family.

1. SYNOD 2023: Our Synod Parish Assembly comes up on Saturday, 19^th March, 2022, immediately after the 6:30am mass. Societies and Organizations are to send five (5) delegates. All are encouraged to be in attendance. Parishioners are reminded to kindly answer the Synod questions and drop in the Synod Suggestion Box in front of the Church. Note: Due to the Parish Synod Assembly, Infant Baptism will begin by 9am.

1. STATIONS OF THE CROSS: There shall be Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays at 12noon and 5:30pm (Main Church only) and Fridays at 12 noon and 5:30pm (Main Church and Event Center). Booklets are available at the Bookshop for ₦150 only. Note: There will be no SCC meetings during this period of Lent because of the Stations of the Cross.

1. PARISH LENTEN RETREAT: Our Parish Lenten Retreat shall hold from Sunday, March 27^th to April 2^nd, 2022. Theme: “COME LET US RETURN TO THE LORD (Hos. 6:1)”. Let us all prepare to participate actively.

1. SACRAMENT OF PENANCE: Parishioners are reminded that the days for confession in the Parish are on Tuesdays & Thursdays after the masses and on Saturdays at 5pm. We are encouraged to take note and key into the Parish Programme.

1. PARISH BULLETIN: Due to the high cost of production and the intending addition of Children Column, we want to inform all parishioners that beginning from next week, March 20^th, 2022, our Parish Weekly Bulletin Publications will be sold for the price rate of ₦100.

1. CHRISTIAN WAKE: There will be Christian Wake for Late Mrs Veronica Uche Anonye on Tuesday, 15^th March, 2022ather residence, 512 Road, J’ Close, House 13, Festac by 6pm (She was a member of Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus & Immaculate Heart of Mary).

1. PASSION OF CHRIST: This is to inform all parishioners that the Passion of Christ drama rehearsals is ongoing and there are vacancies for Cast and Crew. Interested persons should please meet us downstairs, in front of the Generator House by the exit gate immediately after the Mass.

1. CLEANING OF THE CHURCH: We hereby urge all parishioners to imbibe proper maintenance culture as relating to keeping the church and its premises clean always. As we encourage all parishioners to use the waste bins rather than litter the church with dirt, we also appreciate those parishioners who have been helping in sweeping and keeping the church compound clean. As we keep the House of God clean, may God keep us clean from sin and free us from all evil. Amen.

1. CATECHESIS ANNOUNCEMENT: Dear Parishioners, this is to inform you that registration of our children for the 2022/2024 Session of the Easter Sacrament will commence as follows: Date: 5^th March – 30^th April 2022. Time: 3:30 pm on Saturdays Only. Classes for Registration: Baptism, First Holy Communion and RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) only. For more enquires please call: 08159200545.

1. CALL TO BE A CATECHIST:(Are you a faith-filled person who cares about young people? Do you recognize your baptismal call to share your gifts in service to others? Are you open to the challenge of learning about your faith?) The Catechist Association of the Parish kindly calls on all parishioners who are eager to share their faith with others to please register on Saturdays (3pm) and Sundays (3:30pm) at the Catechist Resource Center or call: 08159200545

1. INFO-TECH SERVICES: Holy Family Info-Tech Services is pleased to inform all parishioners that Computer Classes have resumed fully with ALL Programs such as: ICT Essentials, Desktop Publishing; Graphics Design; Web-Design; Computer Engineering; Coding etc. All interested parishioner should visit the ICT Centre at the CYON wing of the parish. For more information please call: 08035343025, 08162195710.
   Don’t keep your kids at home, keep them busy!!!

1. ATTENTION: Parishioners are advised to visit our Parish Website: www.hfccfestac.com and join the Parish Telegram platform- holyfamilyparishfestac. Also, we wish to remind all parishioners, societies and organizations that every material intended to be published in the bulletin for the Sunday in-view must reach the Parish Office on or before the Tuesday prior to it.

1. APPRECIATION & PLEDGE REDEMPTION: The Parish Pastoral Team appreciates all parishioners for their support thus far towards the Church Building Project. We also wish to encourage all parishioners to kindly redeem their Harvest pledges at the Harvest Stand (On Sundays) and Parish Office (During the Week) while the Church Building Pledge (pledges made during the 21-Days Program included) ONLY at the Parish Office. All payments can be made via cash, cheque or POS. You can as well pay directly to the Parish Accounts: Harvest- Zenith 1014506326; Church Building – Zenith Bank 1011876127 all in favour of Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac. Please ensure you get a receipt for every payment.

1. ALTAR LADIES: We wish to inform parishioners within the ages of 15 years and above who wish to serve God with their time and decorative talents to please join our Altar Ladies. They meet every Saturdays by 4pm.

1. PARISH ID CARDS: This is to inform parishioners that the Parish ID cards of those who registered since last year 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.

1. HOLY CHILD CHOIR: The Holy Child Choir invites all parishioners within the ages of 9 and 19 who can play any musical instrument to come use their talents and skills to serve the Lord in the choir. The choir meets on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 6pm in the upper hall of the parish center. Registration is free.  Sing praises… unto the Lord!

1. ADMISSION! ADMISSION!! This is to notify all parishioners that the entrance form for either of the 10 Archdiocesan Secondary Schools {St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi- Boys Only; Holy Child College, Ikoyi- Girls Only; St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka- Boys Only; Our Lady of Apostles Yaba- Girls Only; Mary Comprehensive Secondary School, Maryland; Marywood Girls College, Ebutte-Metta- Girls Only; Sacred Heart College, Apapa; St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic College, Okokomaiko; Mater Ecclesiae College, Epe; St. Kizito’s College, Iju-Ishaga} is out and available for sale at the Parish Office. The price is ₦5,000. For enquiries about the ten schools or any other directives, please visit the Parish notice board or the Parish Office. Please we are all enjoined to pick a form for our children and wards.

1. 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).

1. (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. We are continuing with Romans for this week. Take up this challenge faithfully as stated below and be enriched spiritually.

Day/Month	Bible Passages
14 March	Romans	Chapter   5
15 March	Romans	Chapter   6
16 March	Romans	Chapter   7
17 March	Romans	Chapter   8
18 March	Romans	Chapter   9
19 March	Romans	Chapter   10
20 March	Romans	Chapter   11

1. 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.