Parish Announcement – Holy Family Catholic Church

PARISH FESTIVAL CHRISTMAS OF LESSONS AND CAROLS: The Holy Family Choir Council invites all parishioners and guests to the 2023 Service of Carols and Lessons with the theme “Christmas Comes to Bless… (Lk. 2:14)“. This event will take place today, 10^th December, 2023, at the Main Church Building. Time: 3:30pm prompt!! There will be interesting and entertaining performances from the CMO, CWO, CYON and other invited Guests. For support in cash and otherwise please see the Parish Priest or the Associate Parish Priest.

SENDFORTH CEREMONY: Dear Parishioners, in the last few months, we had the transfers of Rev. Fr. Mark Okojie, Rev. Sr. Josephine Odorwike, EHJ and Rev. Sr. Clementina Okoli, EHJ. We will be having a send forth in their honour today, 10^th December, 2023 by 3:30pm during the Service of Christmas Carols and Lessons. We are all cordially invited.

PARISH ADVENT RETREAT: Our Parish Advent Retreat begins today, 10^th December, 2023 to Friday, 15^th December 2023. The theme is: “O Come Emmanuel, God is With Us”. Retreat Preacher: Rev. Fr. Eric Ezirim, CSsR. Making a retreat in Advent is the perfect way to prepare for Christmas. Let us all participate actively. Below are the daily topics:

Day 1: Patiently Waiting for God, the Word of God. We are the People of Promise and Fulfilment.

Day 2: The Crib of Jesus, he Coming Birth of Jesus

Day 3: The Holy Family, Model for our Families

Day 4: Jesus at Christmas dwelling on our Hearts and our Homes

Day 5: What is Christmas for you?

ADVENT PILGRIMAGE: The Archdiocesan Advent Pilgrimage holds on Saturday, 16^th December, 2023. There shall be Confessions, Counselling, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Daily Mass. There shall be free buses to convey parishioners. Kindly register in front of the Church or at the Parish Office.

ORGANIZATIONS MEETING: Today, 10^th December 2023, is the monthly General Meetings of the Catholic Men Organization and Catholic Women Organization (after the 10.00am Mass) and Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (after the 8:00am Mass). Let us all ensure we attend our respective organizations as crucial matters will be discussed.

HARVEST PLEDGE REDEMPTION: We wish to encourage all parishioners to kindly redeem their pledges at the Harvest Stand (on Sunday) and the parish office (on Weekdays) in cash, cheque or POS and get a receipt. You can as well pay directly to the Harvest Account; HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH, HARVEST, ZENITH 1014506326.

SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE POOR: Next Sunday, 17^th December 2023 shall be our monthly Special Collection for the Poor. This collection is to help support the activities of St. Vincent De Paul. Let us all prepare to donate generously. “Remember, whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me”

CATECHISM CLASSES: This is to inform parishioners that Catechism Classes which holds every Saturdays (4:00pm) & Sundays (2:00pm) will close for Christmas break today and shall resume on Saturday 20^th January, 2024.

PRE-MARRIAGE CLASSES: This is to inform parishioners that Pre-Marriage Class which holds every Sunday at 10:00am will close for Christmas break today and shall resume on Sunday 14^th January, 2024.

PARISH OFFICE: The Parish Office will close for Christmas Break on Wednesday, 20^th December 2023, to reopen on Tuesday 9^thJanuary, 2024. Please take note. Mass Bookings can be done at the Sacristy after mass.

UNUSUAL PRAISE 2023: Unusual Praise 2023 will hold on Friday, 15^th December, 2023, at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos. The theme of this year’s Unusual Praise is “Sing a New Song to the Lord (Ps. 98:1)”. The event will be Hybrid with some attending physically and others joining through the Social Media Platforms such as Zoom, YouTube, Facebook, etc. We kindly solicit your support through sponsorship of buses (N20,000 and above) that will convey parishioners to the venue and back and also purchase of branded T-shirts and other Unusual Praise Merchandise for family and friends and for those who cannot afford to buy one. Be rest assured that security is guaranteed. For inquiries and sponsorship, please contact 08032351447. For transfers, please send to: Access Bank, Unusual Praise- 1713977056.

CHRISTMAS SHARING: The Society of St. Vincent De Paul wishes to inform parishioners that her annual Christmas Sharing for the poor and needy ones is here again. As such, we plead for your support. We need non-perishable food items such as bags of rice, beans, garri, cooking oil etc. Kindly donate in cash or kind to the society or contact the Parish Priest. You can as well transfer to: First Bank, St. Vincent De Paul- 2027264230. God bless you richly as you give to the Lord through the poor and the needy.

CHRISTMAS PARTY: The members of the Confraternity of the Miraculous Infant Jesus heartily invites all parishioners and friends of the Holy Infant Jesus to her annual birthday party celebration. This year’s event is loaded with lots of fun, plenty of food to eat and drink and so much gifts to be won. Venue: Holy Family Catholic Church, 22 Road, Festac Town, Date: Monday, 25^th December 2023 (Christmas Day). Time: 1:00pm prompt. We hereby solicit your support to make this event another memorable one.All transfers can be sent to: Access Bank, Confraternity of Infant Jesus- 0026621328. Come let’s celebrate with the Holy Infant Jesus.

THANKSGIVING ITEMS: Parishioners are encouraged to consider purchasing essential items needed for the Parish during their individual and family open thanksgiving. Kindly consult the priests or the Parish Office for the list of items.

CHAPLAINS: Societies and Organizations executives should kindly check the Parish notice board or Parish website for the updated list of Chaplains and duly arrange a meeting with their new assigned Chaplains.

PEWS DONATION PROJECT: This is to notify all parishioners that compilation of the names of those who supported the Parish with pews is currently ongoing. Please kindly come to the Parish Office (on Weekdays) or Bulletin Stand (on Sundays) with evidence. This can also be done through your society and organizations leaders. Thank you as you do so and may the Lord bless you abundantly and reward handsomely. Amen.

21-DAY FOUNDATIONAL PRAYER: All Parishioners are specially invited to next year’s Parish 21-Day Foundational Prayer 2024. Theme:“Return Back to Bethel” and the focus is: “Building a Fruitful Congregation”. Date: 6^th – 26^th January 2024. Time: 6pm – 9pm excluding days of vigil. Venue: Holy Family Catholic Church, 22 Road, Festac Town, Lagos. Come and be Blessed!!

(1%) ONE PERCENT BIBLE CHALLENGE: We wish to encourage all Parishioners to read and study the word of God for at least 15 minutes every day; which is about 1% of 24 hours. For this week, as the Season of Advent begins, we shall be reading from various passages of the scriptures that heralds the birth of Jesus Christ. Take up this challenge faithfully as stated below and be enriched spiritually.

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.