TO ALL PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS WORKING IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

THE MONTH OF JUNE: You are all welcome to the month of June which heralds the end of the first half of the year.This month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical colour green. This symbol of hope is the colour of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection.

In this month, we celebrate the Solemnities of Corpus Christi (7th June)and the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (12th June). These great feasts of Our Lord call us to ponder on the mystery of Divine love. The Body of Christ, which is the cumens et fons(source and summit) of our worship and faith is an eternal expression of the presence of Christ in His Church. The Eucharist is the food for our souls that nourishes and empowers us to forge ahead amidst the challenges we encounter. Priests should therefore lead the People of God to rediscover the joy and splendour of the Eucharist. We encourage everyone to visit the Blessed Sacrament regularly. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the fount of love, propelling us to love as the father has loved us.

May the Spirit of God lead us to encounter the love that God the Father has lavished upon us through His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

  1. PRAYER FOR NIGERIA IN DISTRESS: We thank God for the peaceful transition of power from one democratically elected Government to another in our nation, May the name of the Lord be praised both now and forever. Amen. However, thereis still need to persist in prayers for our dear nation, that God will direct our leaders in the right path. In the light of this, I renew my call on all parishes to continue to offer the PRAYER FOR NIGERIA IN DISTRESS with deep faith and conviction especially on Sundays, asking God to bless and uphold our nation, Nigeria. We also encourage the praying of the rosary for the intercession of Our Lady Queen of Peace and Queen of Nigeria.
  1. LEAVE/HOLIDAYS: This is the period when most priests go on holidays. We hereby remind everyone that we are all entitled only to approved leave allowances. No one is expected to use any more of the resources of the Parish than is permitted for buying flight tickets or any other form of transportation. More so, no one is to exceed the one-month period of Annual Leave without permission from the Archbishop.
  1. RECENT EVENTS CONCERNING AUGUSTINE UNIVERSITY
  1. Inauguration of the Governing Council for Augustine University: The Governing Council of the Augustine University was constituted on Thursday, 21st May, 2015 at the Council Chambers of the University and they have already begun work.
  1. Admission Exercise for 2015/2016 Session (For Pioneer Students of Augustine University, Ilara (AUI): Having received the Licence for our Augustine University to operate as a Private University, the process for admitting the most qualified pioneer students into AUI has begun since May 2015. Application for admission is now open to all candidates who sat for the current JAMB (2015)Examination and scored at least 180 in relevant subject combinations. We encourage candidates to apply online via Note that candidates who already applied to other Universities and did not choose Augustine University can still apply and have a change of University. The admission exercise includes a computer-based Post-UTME screening test which will be held as follows:

Date:Monday, 15th June – Friday, 19th June, 2015

Time:10:00 AM daily

Venue:Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State.

Available Programmes are:

FACULTY OF HUMANITIES, MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

  1. B.Sc. Economics
  2. B.Sc. Business Administration
  3. B.Sc. Accounting
  4. B.Sc. Banking and Finance
  5. B.A. English
  6. B.A. Philosophy
  7. B.A. Religious Studies

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

  1. B.Sc. Mathematics
  2. B.Sc. Computer Science
  3. B.Sc. Microbiology
  4. B.Sc. Biology
  5. B.Sc. Chemistry
  6. B.Sc. Physics
  1. 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.
  1. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
  1. Quarterly Returns: Please be reminded that the returns from the following Special Collections are to be made in the Second quarter of the year: Youth, Seminary, Social Development, Holy Childhood and Communications. Parish Priests/Priests-in-Charge who are yet to submit their First Quarterly Returns should do so without further delay.

The Chancery also requires that all statutory levies and special collections be paid with different cheque leaves and at the actual quarter to avoid mix-ups. Also, when making their returns, Parish Priests or 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.

  1. Parish Statistics: This comes as a reminder to all Parish Priests/Priests-in-Charge that are yet to turn in their Parish Statistics to kindly do so. This should be sent to the Chancery without further delay. Kindly note that the required statistics is for the year 2014.
  1. Caritas-Lagos Meeting:Thisis to inform all members of the Caritas-Lagos Commission that their meeting is scheduled to hold as follows:

Venue:St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja

Date:Thursday, 18th June, 2015

Time:10:00 AM

  1. Caritas-Lagos Collection: Parishes yet to forward the proceeds of the special collection for the charity works of the Archdiocese of Lagos under the management of CARITAS-LAGOSshould do so as soon as possible. This is toenable CARITAS-LAGOS respond to pending appeals with minimum delay. The Cheque should be addressed to Archdiocese of Lagos – Caritasand “Caritas-Lagos” should be written behind. Parish Priests and Priests-in-Charge should kindly take note of this and act accordingly.
  1. Opus Securitatis: It has come to our notice that quite a number of our Priests are not up to date with regards to their payment of their annual premium for Opus Securitatis Scheme. We implore all Priests to defray their outstanding payments.
  1. Weekend Events: Our attention has been drawn to a recurrent trend in most parishes in the Archdiocese where societies organize Weekend Programmes/Events that run from Friday to Sunday. While these spiritual exercises, retreats and revivals are good in themselves, they should however not affect the Sunday Liturgical Assembly of the Parish. We hereby direct that such programmes end Saturday evening. All societies concerned should please take note.
  1. Priests Quarterly Recollection: The Priests’ Recollection for the Second Quarter will hold on 10th June, 2015. Let all Priests keep this in view. Episcopal Vicars are to take note and make adequate arrangements.
  1. Lagos Archdiocesan Website and Twitter: For information and update on events in the Archdiocese, kindly visit the Archdiocesan Website at Also, follow us via our twitter handle:
  1. Website for Vocations Directorate: This is to bring to your notice that the Vocations Directorate of our Archdiocese now has a functional website. The address is
  1. Admission Requirementsto Major Seminary for Lagos Archdiocese: We implore Parish Priests to inform aspirants from their Parishesthat requirements for admission into the Major Seminary through the Archdiocese of Lagosinclude the following:Must have received the Sacrament of Confirmation and posses Six (6) Credits which must include C.R.K., English and Mathematics in not more than two sittings;Aspirantsshould be between 18 and 25 years old. Graduates may be older. For more information, please visit the Vocations Directorate Website at
  1. 2015 Laity Harvest: The Annual Archdiocesan Laity Harvest will take place as follows:

Theme: “Harvest of Dedication”

Date:21stJune, 2015

Venue:St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos.

We appeal to all Parish Priests to ensure that the harvest envelops are distributed and collected from Parishioners for onward delivery on or before the date of the Harvest. Kindly ensure that you include this information in your parish bulletin and announcement.

  1. Priestly Ordination: The North-West Africa Province of the Society of Jesus invites the Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful to the Priestly Ordination of Seven (7) of their Conferees scheduled as follows:

Ordaining Prelate: Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins,

Archbishop, Metropolitan See of Lagos

Date:18thJuly, 2015

Venue:Christ the King Catholic Church, Ilasamaja, Lagos

  1. Basic Christian Counselling Course: This is to bring to your notice that the Family and Human Life Unit (FHLU) of our Archdiocese is organising a training programme in Basic Christian Counselling scheduled as follows:

Duration: Three Months (One Friday in a month)

Commencement: Friday, 8th May, 2015

Venue: Church and Society Building 19, Maye Street, Sabo, Yaba

Training Fee: N 3,500 per month (including breakfast and lunch)

Certificate Fee: 2,000

For more information/enquiries, please call 08033804494

PRIESTLY ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY: We congratulate, rejoice and request your prayers for Rev. Msgr. Ogunsakin Festus, and Rev. Frs. Anyanwu Francis, Ayangbola Peter, Ayonote Lawrence, Egwuatu Julian, Okelezor Simon, Oladunjoye Sylvester, Oritsewehimi Kingsley, Umole Fidelis, Etegene Michael, Ogunyase Matthew, Edward Hartnett, Daniel Monaghan, Peter Makasa, Matthew Onaulogho, Jacob Yebsonya and Jude Gibah. Others are, Rev. Frs. Michael Okoh, Jude Ibe, Tubesa Dory, Maurice Udoh, Pius Femi Oladele, Michael Etekpo, Francis Anozie, Jude Uche, Sebastian Umouyo, Anthony Oleh, Augustine Medaiyedu, Peter William, and Michael Karikunnel whose sacerdotal ordination Anniversaries occur this month. May God grant them lasting joy and the grace of final perseverance. Ad multos annos.

BEREAVEMENT: We announce with a heavy heart the demise of Mrs. Agnes Nwaezeapu the mother of Rev. Msgr. Paschal Nwaezeapu;Mr. Raphael Njorteah, thefather ofRev. Fr. John Njorteah;Pa. Martins Oladele, thefather ofRev. Fr. Pius Oladele, MSP;Ma. Theresa Enearu, themother ofRev. Fr. Stephen Enearu, and Nnaoma Donatus Onyenedum, thefather ofRev. Fr. Thaddeus Onyenedum, who died in the month ofMay, 2015.Kindly celebrate Mass for the repose of their souls and consolation to the families. May God grant them eternal rest. Amen.

(Signed)

+ Alfred Adewale Martins

Archbishop, Metropolitan See of Lagos.

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