Parish Announcements – 17th November, 2024

1. APPRECIATION: We wish to express our deepest gratitude to the Catholic Women Organization, members of the 2024 harvest planning committee and the entire parishioners for their participation and generous contribution at last Sunday’s Harvest of Thanksgiving. We also appeal to all who made pledges to please kindly redeem them in earnest 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. May the Lord of the harvest reward us all abundantly. Amen.

2. SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE POOR: Today, Sunday, 17^th November 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 brothers, that you do unto me”.

3. CHRIST THE KING: Next, Sunday 24^th November 2024 is the solemnity Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. We shall have our Eucharistic Procession after the 10:00am mass in an orderly and prayerful manner. Let us all prepare to adore Christ as King.

4. 40 HOUR EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Holy Family Catholic Church Festac invites all parishoners, non-parishoners, lay faithful and Jesus lovers to it’s 40 Hours Eucharistic Adoration! Scheduled as follows: Date and Time: The adoration will start at 4:30pm on Thursday 21^st November and will end by 7:30am on Saturday 23^rd November 2024. Venue: Holy Family Catholic Church. Come in faith, come in expectation.

5. ADVENT: Sunday, 1^st  December, 2024, is the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the New Liturgical Year and a season of preparation for the Birth of Christ. Let us prepare our hearts to fully participate in this season.

6. SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: SCC meetings will take place at various community centers on Wednesday, 15^th November 2023 at 6pm. Scriptural reading: John 18:24-33b-37. Please note that there will be no evening Mass or Society meetings during the SCC time. There shall be mass this Wednesday at St. Andrew SCC. Venue: 511 Road, B Close, House 11, 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. MEMORIAL MASS: There shall be a memorial mass for the repose of the soul of Late Pharm. Eddy Ikwuegbu on Thursday, 21^st November 2024, at 12:30pm. He was a member of CMO, Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary and also a patron of the parish choir. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.

8. YCW WHITE CHRISTMAS PARTY 5^TH EDITION: The Young Christian Workers Movement of Nigeria Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac Town heartily invites you to her annual White Christmas Party. Date: 1^st December, 2024. Time: The Event begins with Red Carpet at 3:00pm. Tickets are available at our stand outside the church. Regular: 10,000; VIP:20,00(with exceptional treats).

9. 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: Wednesday, 25^th December 2024 (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.

10. CHRISTMAS TREE: As we prepare for the joyful Christmas season, we invite you to support our carol celebration by adding your name to the Christmas tree for a token of 5,000 naira. This gesture will also feature your name in the carol brochure and contribute to making our event even more special. You can send your contributions to Access Bank: 0026548146, in favour of Holy Family Catholic Church. With your name in as the description. Thank you for your generosity and support.

11. PARISH FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND LESSONS: The Holy Family Choir Council invites all parishioners and guests to the 2024 Service of Carols and Lessons with the theme “Born is the Light of the World… (Lk. 2:8-9; Jn.1:2-5)“. This event will take place on Sunday, 8^th December, 2024, at the Main Church Building. Time: 3:30pm prompt!! There will be interesting and entertaining performances from the CMO, CWO, CYON, HCC and other a special Father Christmas visit. Families or individuals who wish to perform should contact: Pamela: 08130631148. The Advert and Goodwill Message rates are as follows: Back Cover (N200,000); Inside Back Cover (N150,000); Inside Front Cover (N150,000); Centre Spread (N150,000); Full Page Advert (N100,000); Half Page Advert (N75,000); Full Page Goodwill message (N30,000); Half page Goodwill message (N20,000). For support in cash and otherwise please see the Parish Priest or the Associate Parish Priest.

12. 21-DAY FOUNDATIONAL PRAYER: All Parishioners are specially invited to next year’s Parish 21-Day Foundational Prayer 2024. Theme:“Abide in the Vine” and the focus is: “True Congregational Fruitfulness comes from a deep relationship with Christ”. Date: 11^th – 31^st  January 2025. Time: 6pm – 9pm excluding days of vigil. Venue: Holy Family Catholic Church, 22 Road, Festac Town, Lagos. Come and be Blessed!!

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

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 Book of Revelation. Take up this challenge faithfully as stated below and be enriched spiritually.

Day/Month	Bible Passages
17th November	Revelation	Chapters 8
18th November	Revelation	Chapters 9
19th November	Revelation	Chapters 10
20th November	Revelation	Chapters 11
21st November	Revelation	Chapters 12
22nd November	Revelation	Chapters 13
23rd November	Revelation	Chapters 14

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.