TO ALL PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF IJEBU-ODE.

Grace and Peace of the Lord be with you.

• The month of February: I warmly welcome you to the second month of the year, the month of February, 2023. This month begins with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2), a day we celebrate the gift of consecrated persons to the Church. As a Diocese, we shall be praying for all consecrated men and women on this day at St. Michael Catholic Church, Ago-Iwoye. It begins with the Holy Mass at 10.00am. 

This month is a special one in the Church as it ushers us into the Holy Season of Lent. The Season of Lent begins with ASH WEDNESDAY (February 22) and ends with Good Friday (April 7). “The annual observation of Lent is the special season for the ascent to the holy mountain of Easter. Through its two-fold themes of repentance and baptism, the season of Lent disposes both Catechumens and the Faithful to celebrate the Paschal mystery.” (Ceremonial of Bishop, 249).  

NB: In the Masses of the Season, the Gloria and Alleluia are omitted. The Altar is not decorated with flowers during Lent. Musical Instruments are not used, except on Laetare Sunday and for Solemnities and Feasts.  

In this Holy Season, we shall embark on a spiritual journey of renewal through PRAYER, ABSTINENCE and ALMSGIVING. The Liturgical colour of this season is Purple, which portrays the penitential and repentant nature of the season. I therefore, invite us to make good use of this opportunity to grow spiritually in our relationship with God. 

• Pope’s Intention for the month of February: For Parishes: Let us pray that parishes, placing communion at the center, may increasingly become communities of faith, fraternity and welcome towards those in need.   

• Bishop’s Intention for the month of February: For OUR COUNTRY NIGERIA: Let us pray that God should grant us peaceful, free and fair General Elections across the country. And for the gift of consecrated life in the Church. 

• Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes: We shall begin our monthly Novena in this month, for the intentions of our Diocese and for peaceful, free and fair general elections in Nigeria. May I request that we take up the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes which will begin on February 2 to 10, 2023, a day before the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11). 

NB: All Parish Priests, Superiors and Chaplains are to kindly ensure that this novena is done in all Parishes, Convents, Schools, and Formation Houses across the Diocese.

• 2023 Lenten Reflection: During the Holy Season of Lent, we shall have the opportunity to listen to daily reflections from the Bishop and Priests working in the Diocese on each day of Lent. The Social Communications Commission of the Diocese shall ensure that these reflections are aired on the following social media handles of the Diocese: 

YouTube: Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode Nigeria 

Facebook: “I-partner Ijebu-ode” and “The Partner Newspaper”  

Website: www.ijebuodecatholicdiocese.org 

Kindly log in to any of these platforms to listen to daily inspiring messages for your spiritual nourishment. 

• 2023 Marian Pilgrimage to Iwopin: The annual Diocesan Marian Pilgrimage comes up this month at Ave Maria Pilgrimage Centre, Iwopin.

Date: Friday, February 3-4, 2023. 

Time: 3.00p.m

Theme: Mary, Mother of Hope

All those participating in the pilgrimage are expected to come with Rosary, Bible, Stations of the Cross booklet, Prayer books, candles for procession and other relevant devotional materials. 

NB: Parish Priests and Priests-in-charge should ensure that adequate preparations are made for the faithful to attend this programme.

• APPeal: We also wish to remind us that construction works are ongoing on the site and we need more funds to complete this project. We therefore, continue to solicit your generous support towards the completion of this project. 

We sincerely appreciate all those who have contributed generously towards this project. We thank all those who donated plastic chairs to be used at this Year’s Pilgrimage. We still need more chairs. A chair costs N6000.

We appeal to individuals, families, societies, parishes and stations, who are yet to support this project of rebuilding a befitting Pilgrimage Centre for the Blessed Virgin Mary in our Diocese for your kind donations.

Remember, God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7). 

The account details are as follows:

Account Name: Ave Maria Pilgrimage Center. Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode 

Account Number: 1022812598

Bank: United Bank for Africa (UBA)

• Diocesan Prayer Crusade:This is a reminder of the appeal to families within our Diocese to adopt a Priest/Religious for prayer throughout the Year 2023. A family that is within our Diocese is required to freely choose and adopt a Priest, whom they would be praying for on daily basis throughout this year. We thank those who continue to respond to this appeal and have remained faithful and committed to this cause since last year. May God bless and sustain you. Amen.

NB: Parish priests and Priests-in-charge should be creative in encouraging and implementing this appeal.

• Construction of a Diocesan Chancery: The building of our Diocesan Chancery is ongoing and we are close to the final stage of the project. We continue to appeal to Parishes, Institutions, families and benefactors, within and outside the Diocese, who are yet to make their contributions, to financially support this project. We recognize and acknowledge all the contributions and donations already received. May God continue to reward and replenish all our benefactors abundantly.

Account Name: Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode

Account Number: 0131027016

Bank: FCMB  

• Transfer of Priests: This is a reminder that the New Pastoral Assignments for Priests and Deacons released on 25^th of December, 2022, takes effect this month, February 6, 2023. All those taking up new assignments should ensure that there is a proper handing over process with reference to the newly published “Policy on Handover Process” of the Diocese. The Deans of the affected deaneries should ensure that the handover process is smooth and successful. 
• We wish all concerned a happy and fruitful pastoral ministry.  

• ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Publications:This is to inform all Clergy, Religious and Laity of Ijebu-Ode Diocese that the Policy on Parish Handover Process and the Policy on the Celebration of Funerals in the Diocese booklets are out. Kindly get copies, study and discuss these policies in the parishes and groups for all to be well informed.

• Special Collections: Let us remember to take these special collections for the month of February: Laity collection (February 12), and Pontifical Mission Society (P.M.S.) National Office collection (February 19).  Lenten Appeal: In this season of Lent, special collection is to be taken every Sunday and during the Stations of the Cross, (February 22 to April 5, 2023). 

NB: Priests should kindly ensure that they are remitted on time to the Chancery for proper collation. 

• Feast of Consecrated Life: This celebration comes up on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Ago-Iwoye. This will begin with the Holy Mass at 10:00am. 

NB: In appreciation for the services of all consecrated persons engaged in pastoral activities in the Diocese, all Priests, Religious and Laity should endeavour to be punctual at this celebration.

• 2023 CBCN First Plenary Meeting: The first Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria comes up in Abuja on 10^th – 16^th February, 2023. Kindly pray for a successful deliberation on the life of the Church and Society. 
• Catechesis and Religious Education: The training programme for the ministry of Catechists in the Diocese resumes this month and shall take place on February 11, 2023 at Catechetical Centre, Motubo, Ijebu-Ode. Time: 10.00a.m
• There shall be deanery meeting for all newly commissioned Small Christian Community Animators in all deanery centres on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 12.00noon.

NB: Let all those concerned take this information seriously and endeavour to be punctual.

• Holy Childhood Association:  There shall be a Love Outreach (Valentine Day Visits) of the members of the HCA to Antonietta Children Home, Idomila and St. Pio Children’s Home, Sagamu on February 11, 2023.  
• HCA Animation Visit resumes this month. There shall be HCA Animation Visit to St. Maria Goretti Nur/Pry School, Sagamu and to St. Joseph Nur/Pry School, Ikoto on Friday, February 10, 2023

• Catholic Women Organization of Nigeria (CWON):  The Diocesan CWON is organizing a Leadership Training for all Women in the Diocese on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at CWO Maria Centre, Ijebu-Ode at 10.00a.m.

All those concerned should be punctual at this programme.

• Lay Apostolates Department:Diocesan Laity council meeting comes up on February 12, 2023, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Ikoto, by 10.00a.m. We implore all Diocesan executives and representatives from parishes to be punctual for this first meeting of the year.  

• Catholic Men Organization of Nigeria: The CMON of the Diocese shall be hosting the LEPCMON Meeting on February 19, 2023 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ajaka, Sagamu by 10.00a.m. 

Kindly pray and support our fathers for a successful hosting and fruitful meeting.

• Family and Human Life Department: The level one training of Marriage Counsellors in the Diocese comes up on February 18, 2023, at Most Pure Heart Catholic Church, Esure.

• There shall be Diocesan Couples’ Forum on February 19, 2023, at St. Sebastian Cathedral, Ijebu-Ode. 
• The department’s Consultors Bi-annual meeting which is supposed to take place on 25^th February, 2023, will be rescheduled due to the country’s general elections. The new date will be communicated later. 

NB: All concerned should take note. 

• NCDPA Meeting: This is to inform all members of the Nigerian Conference of Diocesan Priests Association, Ijebu-Ode Diocese of their meeting which comes up on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Awa-Ilaporu at 10.00a.m. All those concerned should take note and be punctual.

• Education Department: All Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools shall be vacating for midterm break on February 23– March 6, 2023. However, all boarding house students are expected to resume on Saturday, March 4, 2023.

NB: All Heads of Schools, Staff, Parents and Students should be informed of these dates. 

• Presbyteral Council Meeting: The meeting of all Priests working in Ijebu-Ode Diocese comes up on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Ayegbami, Sagamu, at 10:00am. All Priests are expected to be in attendance as the Diocesan Budget 2023 will be presented on that day.

• Annual Diocesan Priests’ Retreat: All Priests working in the Diocese shall be embarking on their annual retreat from February 26 – March 4, 2023, at Abbe-Louis Bautain Retreat and Conference Centre, Ijebu-Itele. 

Kindly pray for a spirit-filled retreat for our Priests.

Thank you as I wish you a peaceful and blessed month of February.  

Most Rev. Francis Obafemi ADESINA

Bishop of Ijebu-Ode