19, CATHOLIC MISSION STREET, P. O. BOX 8, LAGOS-NIGERIA
TEL/FAX: 01- 8448669
OCTOBER, 2015/No. 037
Monthly Bulletin /Circular
TO ALL PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS WORKING IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF
LAGOS, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
1.
THE MONTH OF OCTOBER: Welcome to the month of October, the tenth month
of the year which also ushers us into the beginning of the fourth quarter. The month of
October is traditionally dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and the Solemnity of
Our Lady, Queen and Patroness of Nigeria. During this month, the Church invites us to
meditate on the power of praying the Holy Rosary especially during the course of the
October Devotion. All Catholics are therefore enjoined to participate, both at the parish
and family level, in the activities of October Devotion. Anyone one who prays the Rosary
everyday with faith and a deep sense of devotion in contrast to mere mechanical and
superficial recitation stands to receive divine favours and protection.
Also, in this month, we celebrate the 55th Independence Anniversary of our beloved
country. Let us seize the opportunity that the month of October offers, to pray for our
country, Nigeria; for the triumph of justice, peace, reconciliation, progress and good
governance. And in doing so, receive spiritual enrichment from Our Lady’s Maternal
intercession. May Our Lady of the Holy Rosary pray for us.
2.
THE CBCN SECOND PLENARY MEETING, 2015
At the end of the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria
held at the Pastoral Centre, Igwuruta, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, September 10-18,
2015, the Bishops issued a Communiqué which can be found on our Archdiocesan Website;
www.lagosarchdiocese.com. We have also sent it to all the Priests and Religious in the
Archdiocese. Kindly find time to read it. I wish to specially highlight one of the items in
the communiqué for your attention and action:
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a. Family Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration for Six Months: The Catholic Bishops of
Nigeria, have called on all to pray. In many respects, it can be said that our Nation is
today at the crossroads. Although the general elections were peaceful, our problems are
far from over. We therefore feel the need to renew our call to prayer. In addition to the
prayers already being said for the Nation, we ask individuals, families and parishes to
intensify their prayers for a period of six months, beginning from the month of October
and according to the following programme:
(i) Family Rosary- Every Saturday evening
(ii) Rosary and One Hour Adoration in Parishes-Last Sunday of the month (between
3.00 pm and 6.00 pm).
The family Rosary and the Eucharistic Adoration should always end with either the prayer
against Bribery and Corruption or the Prayer for Nigeria in Distress. This six-month
prayer programme is expected to end on 4th April 2016, the Solemnity of the Annunciation
of the Lord.
3.
INAUGURATION OF THE ARCHDIOCESAN YEAR OF MERCY COMMITTEE:
The Archdiocesan committee for the Year of Mercy will be inaugurated by the Archbishop,
Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, on Wednesday, October 7, 2015, in the Conference
Room of the Chancery at 10.00 am. All members are to please take note.
4. PRIESTLY ORDINATION: Our deacon, Rev. Oscar John Obi shall be raised to the
Order of the Priesthood on Thursday, 8th October, 2015 at St. Leo Catholic Church,
Ikeja. Let us keep him in our prayers as he gets himself ready to serve God and his people
as a priest. We pray God to shower his blessings upon him and grant him the grace of final
perseverance.
5.
Meetings with the Archbishop: As part of the efforts to interact and receive
the thoughts of the Priests and Religious on the life of our Archdiocese, the following
meetings have been scheduled to hold on the respective dates below by 11.00 a.m. at
the Holy Cross Cathedral Hall;
 Diocesan Clergy (including Fidei Donum Priests): Wednesday, 21st October, 2015
 Female Religious
: Wednesday, 11th November, 2015
 Male Religious
: Wednesday, 18th November, 2015
6.
INAUGURATION OF AUGUSTINE UNIVERSITY: This is to formally bring to
your notice the inauguration ceremony of the Augustine University, Ilara-Epe Lagos State.
It is scheduled to hold as follows:
Date: Friday, 23rd October, 2015
Venue: Augustine University Campus, Ilara, Epe-Lagos.
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Time: 10:00 am.
We invite all Priests, Religious and Lay faithful to come and be part of the ceremony.
7.
ARCHDIOCESAN PARISH GUIDELINES: This is to bring to the notice of all in the
Archdiocese that we have approved the Archdiocesan Guidelines (Parish Pastoral and Laity
Councils, Human Resources Management and Parish Finance and Administration). To this
effect, All existing Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Laity Council and Parish Finance
Council are to be dissolved to give way for the implementation of the Parish Guidelines
of the Archdiocese. The new Councils are to be inaugurated on the 29th November,
2015 the beginning of the New Liturgical Year for a period of 3 years tenure.
8.
RECENT PASTORAL PLACEMENTS: We wish to bring to your notice the pastoral
placements of the following priests:
1. Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Teko- Administrator, Holy Cross Cathedral
2. Rev. Fr. Sylvester Oladunjoye-Asst. Parish Priest, Catholic Church of
Transfiguration, VGC.
3. Rev. Fr. Victor Okhiria-Asst. Parish Priest, Catholic Church of Assumption,
Falomo.
4. Rev. Fr. Alfred Omoleye-Asst. Parish Priest, Our Lady of Perpetual Help,
Ajah. (Fidei Donum Priest from Ekiti Diocese)
5. Rev. Fr. Kevin Ugwu, Msp. Asst. Parish Priest, St. Denis’ Catholic Church,
Bariga.
6.
Rev. Fr. Cyprain ijezie, Msp. Asst. Parish Priest, St. Gabriel’s Catholic
Church, Ladi-Lak.
7.
Rev. Fr. Paul Amenaghawon. Spiritual Director, St. Albert the Great
Major Seminary, Idowu Offoron, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
9. MASS IN PRIVATE HOMES: It has come to our notice that some Priests celebrate
Mass and even do Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in private homes and offices.
This liturgical aberration and desecration of the Eucharist is an inexcusable
infringement on the teaching of the Church. The General Instruction of the Roman
Missal prescribes that, “For the celebration of the Eucharist, the people of God
normally are gathered together in a Church” (GIRM 288). Redemptionis Sacramentum
states clearly that, “The celebration of the Eucharist is to be carried out in a sacred
place, unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise. In this case the
celebration must be in a descent place. The Diocesan Bishop shall be the judge for his
Diocese concerning this necessity, on a case-by-case basis” (108). We therefore call
on all those involved in these unwholesome and sacrilegious practices to desist
forthwith or face appropriate sanctions!
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10.
HARVEST 2015: The harvest season is here again. While we work and pray for a
good harvest, we must ensure that provision is made for adequate security of lives and
properties in our Churches. We enjoin all Priests to maintain proper liturgical decorum
during the “Harvest Masses” and Bazaar bearing in mind that the House of God is first and
foremost the House of prayer. Please note that on no account should the Sanctuary be
profaned with Harvest Banners; for the sanctuary is a sacred place of worship and the
Blessed Sacrament, our focal point of worship, takes prominence.
Our attention has been drawn also to Parish Priests who invite priests from different places
during this season without proper permission, instruction and guidance on Archdiocesan
liturgical regulations. Of particular emphasis is the Selling of Apples, Boiled Eggs, Football
Club Jerseys; Sowing of seeds, Handkerchief Sundays, etc. These extraneous and nonCatholic practices must stop.
11. ST. AUGUSTINE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (PROJECT TIME) AFFILIATED TO
THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN: Admission is in progress for the 2014/2015 Session.
With a minimum JAMB Score of 180 and above for Degree programs and 150 and above for
NCE programs, St Augustine College is the place for you. Our programs and their
Requirements include:

B.Ed. degree (Full-Time and Distance Learning Center) – 5 Credits at one sitting

NCE (Full- Time and Part-Time) – 6 Credits at two sittings.

PDE (PGDE) - First Degree or H.N.D. From any recognized tertiary institution

Catechesis
- Practicing and intending Catechist OR O'Level Certificate.
For further enquiries, call – 07051491674; 07051592559; 08034919553.
12. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
a.
Directory 2016: The year 2016 is fast approaching. Kindly go through this year’s
Directory again for possible corrections, omissions, amendments and suggestions for the
improvement of our Directory. Please, send your comments to the Chancery on or before
the last week of October, 2015. You may also reach the Chancery through her e-mail
address: arclagos@yahoo.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
b.
Archbishop’s Pictures: We are very grateful to all those who have presented
portraits of different sizes, colours and shapes to the Archbishop. We appreciate your
kind gesture and the aesthetic value of these portraits. However, for want of space in
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the Chancery, we implore Parishes and individuals to consider other ways of expressing
similar gestures. May God continue to bless you all for your generosity.
c.
Catholic Confraternity of Christian Fathers: We wish to notify the lay faithful of
the establishment of this society in our Archdiocese. The CCCF is not and should not be
seen as a parallel body to the CMO or in competition with it. All members of CCCF are
expected to be active in the CMO also. All men who are wedded in the Church are free
to join the society.
f.
Family and Human Life Unit (FHLU): This is to inform individuals who wish to be
trained to work in the area of Marriage, Family and Human Life, Counselling or Social
Work that training is scheduled to hold as follows:
 Marriage Theology and Lived Experience: Full time course running for 10 weeks on
every Tuesday , from 15th September – 17th November, 2015
 Human Psychology and Christian Counselling Course Part 2: (For Participants who
have attended the Basic Christian Counselling Course Part 1) will hold on one Friday
a month, beginning from 23rd October, 2015 for ten months.
 Billings Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning: One Saturday a month for
7 months, beginning from 3rd October, 2015.
 Basic Christian Counselling Course Part 1: One Friday a Month for 3 months,
beginning from 13th November, 2015.
Venue: Church & Society Building, 19, Maye Street, off Commercial Avenue, Sabo, Yaba
Cost: 3,500.00 per month (includes Tea Break & Lunch)
Graduation & Certificate Fees: Marriage Theology & Lived Experience – N 5,000.00
Human Psychology and Christian Counselling Course Part 2
Billings Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning
Basic Christian Counselling Course Part 1
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
N 5,000.00
N 2,500.00
N 1,500.00
For more information/enquiries, please call 08033804494, 08028489999
d. Children’s Rally with the Archbishop: The annual Children’s Rally with the Archbishop
comes up on Saturday, 10th October 2015, at the Catholic Church of the Ascension,
International Airport Road, Ikeja, beginning with Holy Mass at 10:00 a.m. This is a
wonderful opportunity for our children from various parishes to interact and get to know
each other, make new friends and share the joy of being Catholic Children. It is for all
children between 3 and 14 years. Participation Fee for each child remains N 500.00 only.
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Parish Priests should please encourage parents to register their children now through the
MCA Animators in their parishes, to avoid last minute rush. Registration closes on 25 th
September, 2015. Organizations, societies and individuals are enjoined to sponsor as many
children as possible who may not be able to pay the participation fee.
g.
Cardinal Okogie Annual Lecture: This lecture is organised by the Directorate of
Catholic Lay Apostolate Centre in conjunction with the Association of the Knights and
Ladies of St. John International (KSJI) of Lagos Archdiocese this year. It is scheduled to
hold as follows:
Date: 15th October, 2015
Venue: McGovern Hall, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland
Time: 9.00 am
Theme: “2015 Election: Implications for Nigeria’s Democracy.”
Guest Speaker: Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON.
h.
CYON Activities: The Archdiocesan CYON will be engaged in the following
activities in the course of the year:
a. International Youth Exchange to Three Dioceses in Cameroon from 19th – 29th
October, 2015.
b. Archdiocesan Youth Award (AYA) and Beauty Pageant on 12th December, 2015.
For further information, please contact the Archdiocesan CYON Chaplain on
08025693293 or the President on 08062920945.
i.
Quarterly Returns: Parish Priests/Priests-in-Charge who are yet to submit their
Third Quarterly Returns should do so without further delay. Please remember to include
the returns for the following Special Collections: Peter’s pence, Education Sunday and St.
Augustine’s College. The Chancery also requires that all statutory levies and special
collections be paid with different cheque leaves and at the actual quarter to avoid mixups. Also, when making their returns, Parish Priests/Priests-in-Charge, should ensure they
attach the Blue Sheets with the front page that has the name of the parish and the
appropriate quarter on it.
j.
Information on Catechist’ Exchange programme in Ghana: This is to inform
Catechists and individuals of the Information on Exchange Program holding in Ghana, from
26th -31st October, 2015. It is an initiative of the Pastoral Affairs Department of the CSN
approved by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria about a year ago. It is a welcome
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initiative that will surely impact positively on our Catechist and indeed be of great benefit
to their catechumens and our Archdiocese at large.
The cost implication is N 80,000.00 (Eighty thousand Naira). This covers transportation
to and fro Lagos, accommodation, feeding and visits. For more information/enquiries,
please call Rev. Sr. Judith Madueke, (EHJ) the Director of Religious Education
08033039604
k. ARCHDIOCESAN PRIESTS’ SEMINAR: There shall be an Archdiocesan seminar for All
Priests in the Archdiocese of Lagos. It comes up on Wednesday 28th of October, 2015
at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos. Kindly come along with your Rosary and
Breviary, and endeavor to be punctual. The time is 10.00 am.
l.
Monthly Retreat: Mater Ecclesia Monastery, Sangotedo, Lagos organizes a day of
spiritual retreat for young girls from 15 years above for the purpose of discerning their
vocation. The retreat is scheduled to hold on the first Saturday of every month. Time:
9:00 am – 4.00 pm. Venue: Mater Ecclesia Monastery, Sangotedo, Lekki, Lagos.
m.
i. Parish Assets Register: It has come to our notice that many of our parishes do
not have a Parish Assets Register for the proper recording of the material goods of the
Parish. We therefore call on Parish Priests/Priests-in-Charge to make this available in
their parishes as responsible stewards of the Parishes entrusted to them.
ii. Assets Title: It has also come to our notice that some Parish Priests/Priests-inCharge acquire assets such as household furniture, electrical and electronic equipment,
e.t.c. in their personal names. Henceforth, all assets acquired and belonging to the parish
should bear the parish name. Parish Priests/Priest-in-Charge should take note of this.
n.
Cecilian Academy of Sacred Music: This is to inform the Clergy, Religious and
Lay Faithful of our Archdiocese that admission is on for the 2015/2016 Academic Session
into the Archdiocesan Music School. Courses available includes:
i. Foundation in Sacred Music
ii. Certificate in Sacred Music
iii. Diploma in Sacred Music
Admission is open to everyone, irrespective of age or gender. Visit your parish office to
pick up registration form for free or download it from the website
www.cecilianacademy.com. For further information contact the school on 08094982511 or
info@cecilianacademy.com
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o.
PRIESTLY ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY: We congratulate, rejoice and request
your prayers for Revd Frs. Anthony Fadairo, Innocent Uwakwe, Gabriel Feyisetan, James
Anelu, Charles Ukwe, OP., and Nicodemus Ugwu, OP. whose sacerdotal ordination
anniversaries occur this month. May God grant them lasting joy and the grace of final
perseverance. Ad multos annos.
(Signed)
+ Alfred Adewale Martins
Archbishop, Metropolitan See of Lagos.
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