ASH WEDNESDAY: This Wednesday February 26th 2020 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is a period of 40 days during which we journey with the Lord in prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for the Paschal celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. Parishioners are expected to return their blessed palm fronds from last year\’s Palm Sunday to be used for the ashes, either at the Sacristy or the baskets in front of the Church. Let us prepare for the solemn season of LENT. There shall be masses at 6.00am, 12.30pm and 6.30pm (Parish) 6.30pm (Event Centre). Please Note that it is important that we attend mass and not just receive ashes on that day.
In line with the Archbishop’s directives, we are all enjoined to dress in black or at least black arm bands as a sign of mourning and solidarity with the victims of kidnapping and high level of security in the land. The statement from the Catholic Bishops conference shall be read at all masses on Ash Wednesday.
STATIONS OF
THE CROSS: Stations
of the Cross shall commence on Friday February 28th, 2020 by 12noon
at the Upper Hall and 5.30pm at the Upper Hall and Event Centre. We have a special
Stations of the Cross Booklets for use on Fridays only. Price N100.
CHILD ABUSE SEMINAR: Do you know that one of every four girls and one out of every 10 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18? Our parish in conjunction with Cece Yara Foundation, a NGO, is organizing a one-day safeKids awareness seminar for children between the ages of 5 and 18 years. All children and parents in our parish are expected to be in attendance. Date: Saturday March 14, 2020. Time: 9am. Ensure that you are there.
LENTEN PILGRIMAGE: This year’s Archdiocesan Lenten Pilgrimage will hold on Saturday March 7th, 2020 at Ave Maria Grotto, Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki. Time: 8:00am. Theme: Your word is A Lamp To My Feet” (Psalm 119:105). All parishioners are enjoined to participate. A register will be placed at the doors for those interested in going with the free buses provided. All societies and organizations are to send the names of 5 representatives to the Laity Office before Tuesday March 3, 2020.
PARISH REGISTRATION AND ISSUING OF PARISH (ID) IDENTITY CARD
Our
Parish is continuing with the registration of Parishioners. Every parishioner
is expected to register with the Parish for proper identification. An I.D Card
will be issued after a complete form registration. Registration costs N700 for every parishioner and it begins
on 10th February, 2020 at the Parish Office and the Laity Office between 9am – 4pm as well as every Sunday in the Parish Office between 8am – 1pm. Please Note:
- The Forms will be shared at all the Masses.
- Parishioners who have registered before need not to register again.
- All you need to do is to update your registration details in any of the Offices above or Renew your I.D card if it has expired.
- Return the form to the office with your passport photograph.
- Collect your receipt on payment from the offices and come back with it as an evidence of payment to collect your I.D card after 2 weeks.
(1%) ONE PERCENT BIBLE CHALLENGE
As we celebrate the word of God, and in order to build up our Faith more in the teachings of the church, we wish to introduce to all parishioners the 1% Bible Challenge. Every Parishioner is encouraged to read and study the Bible for at least 15min every day; which is about 1% of 24 hours. We are beginning with the book of Genesis for the month of February, 2020. Take up this challenge faithfully as stated below and be enriched spiritually.
| Day in February | Bible Chapters |
| 23 | 40 AND 41 |
| 24 | 42 AND 43 |
| 25 | 44 AND 45 |
| 26 | 46 |
| 27 | 47 |
| 28 | 48 AND 49 |
| 29 | 50 |
LITURGICAL ASSEMBLY: There shall be an important Liturgical Assembly for all liturgical functionaries in the parish. Attendance is mandatory for all Altar Servers/Ladies, Choristers, Church wardens, Lectors and Catechists. Date: Today Sunday February 23rd, 2020. Venue: Church Upper Hall. Time: 12.30pm. Failure to attend shall be duly sanctioned.
SEMINARIAN: We welcome our seminarian, MR. ANIKE BENEDICT, for his 6 month pastoral experience here in our parish. We wish him a fulfilling stay.
THE ANTIOCH PASTORAL INSTITUTE:The Antioch Pastoral Institute Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos (APICAL) starts their training and Lectures every 3rd Saturday of the Month @ Cardinal Okogie’s Hall, Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac Town. Forms @ the Parish Catechist Office.
CHRISTIAN WAKE: There will be a Christian Wake for Late Mrs. Cecilia Okwuchi Foby on the 25th February, 2020. Place of Wake: 2nd Avenue, 22 Road, ‘A’ close, block 6, flat 5, Festac Town.
KNOW YOUR FAITH PARISH DOCTRINAL CLASS: We shall have our interactive session with the Priest on the various doctrines of the church on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month during the 6.30am mass. We are all encouraged to attend for our spiritual enrichment and better Understanding of our faith.
RESPECT FOR THE CHURCH: The Mass is the community at worship, the greatest form of prayer. Get to church early for Mass. If you are late, do not disturb those who came early; Don’t spend the Mass time on your gadgets. Mass time is not the best period to give food and snack to children. Do not allow them litter the church either during or after the Mass. Do not allow the children play with Hymn Books and Bibles. Pick up what they drop before you leave. Receive Communion with reverence; it is the Body of Christ. This is a house of worship – show due respect.
CATECHISM VENUE: All Society Leaders should take note that there should be no Society meetings at the venues of Catechism Classes from 3:30pm to 6:00pm at the Church Halls and the Courtyard.
BAPTISMAL CARD: Some Parishioners are yet to collect their Baptismal Cards after the Sacrament of Baptism (Infant), 1st Holy Communion, Confirmation, RCIA and also some Pre-wedding attendance Cards. While some submitted their Baptismal cards during their wedding preparation. Please do come to check your name at the Parish Catechist office during the week or Parish Office on Sundays. Also check the notice board outside. Thank you.
SEMINAR AND TRAINING: This is to notify all Registered members of the new Altar Girls mass servers that their 2months training and seminar has commence in earnest from February 8th to April 4th, 2020 Time: 2pm Every Saturday. Venue: Church Hall. Registration is still on for interested young girls between the age 8-12 years. For further enquiries, meet the pastoral sister… Sr. Assumpta Okeke, EHJ.
DIRECTORATE OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION: Directorate of Social Communication Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos. One-Day Conference with the Archbishop. Theme: Mobilizing Catholic Media Practitioners for the Mission of the Church in the Digital Era. Venue: McGovern Hall, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos. Date: Saturday 29th February, 2020. Time: 9:00am prompt. For more details call Miss Rita Eboh on 08028806353.
PARISH ACCOUNTS: Parishioners who wish to pay their tithes can pay directly to Holy Family Catholic Church, Fidelity 5080032193. Church Building Support to Holy Family Catholic Church, Zenith 1011876127.
HARVEST: We urge parishioners to kindly redeem their pledges by (i.) Cash or Cheque at the Harvest stand or Parish Office and get a receipt. (ii.) Pay direct to the Harvest Account, “Holy Family Catholic Church Harvest, Zenith 1014506326 (iii.) Pay through POS at the Parish Office or Harvest stand.