ST. AGNES Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos, Nigeria

Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary
This is an association of devotees of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary is an association of lay Catholics, who proposed to make their Faith the aspiration of their lives up to the achievement of personal sanctity.

Society of St. Vincent De Paul
Membership: For lay people in the Church, to manifest a concern and compassion for the poor by sharing their wealth with them.

Amnesty International Nigeria,
Working Group fo Children (AI,AGC)
Membership: For all people irrespective of nationality, enthnic origin, language, sex, colour, religion, political ideology, etc.

The Pro-Life League
The Pro-Life League is a non-governmental and non-profit making organisation in the parish. Its primary aim is to make humanity appreciate God's gift of life byupholding the sacredness and sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.

Confraternity of Christian Mothers
Membership is for married or widowed ladies. Any good practising Catholic Woman, wedded or widowed, even though without children.

World Apostolate of Fatima
(The Blue Army of Our Lady)
Membership: Adult and Children (male and female alike) Children are called "The Blue Army Cadets".

Church Wardens Society
Membership: All adult communicants interested in voluntary service to God

Guild of St. Anthony of Padua
Membership is open to all baptized Catholic both young and old of good moral standing.

Board of Lectors
Membership: Open to all registered parishioners over 18 years of age.

The Catholic Anti-Abortion Crusade
The Catholic Anti-Abortion Crusade (CAAC) was inaugurated in August 1996 in St. Agnes Church, Maryland as an organisation for all men, women, and youth of goodwill who share the Catholic Church doctrines on life issues with view to re-estatblishing a Cultured of Life and a civilization of love by fighting the 'culture of death' is our dear country.

Faith Friends
faith Friends is one of the existing societies in St. Agnes, Maryland. Membership is for Catholics who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and who want to share the word of God and study the Catholic doctrines for greater spiritual life.

The Parish Laity Council
Background: Laity refers to the baptised people of God who are not in the Holy Orders.

St. Jude Catholic Soceity
Saint Jude Catholic Society is one of the oldest societies in the Church. St. Jude Thaddeus is one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. He was a cousin and a playmate of Jesus Christ.

The Catholic Men Organisation
The CMO is for catholic men who are 35 years and above.

Catholic Women Organisation
The Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) was founded by a dynamic woman from Brooklyn, New York, USA in 1964. It is an unbrella organisation of female member of the church.

The Catholic Youngmen Association (CYA)
This association was formed in 1994 during Rev. Fr. McGarry's pastorship by a group of young men in St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland who saw a vacuum in the spiritual sustenance and upliftment of young men Catholic faithfuls that could not be accommodated further in the Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) and are unable to identify themselves in the older group - the Catholic Men Organisation.

The Infant Jesus Society
The infant Jesus Society in the Parish came into being in October 1992.

Catholic Youth Organisation Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON)
Membership: Youth between the ages of 15yrs to 25years

St. Agnes Joint Choir
The name of this organisation is St. Agnes Joint Choir Council. It is comprised of 6.30am, 8.30am, 9.30am, 10.am & 6.pm choirs.

C.S.U. as the Association is fondly called was founded in 1994 under the direction of Rev. Fr. K. McGarry (SMA), the then Parish Priest of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland Lagos, who recognized that a large number of young Catholic women between the ages of 25 – 45 years yearned for a deeper knowledge of the Catholic faith, spiritual growth and more involvement with the Church.

To promote spiritual growth amongst members through Bible sharing, talks, retreats and visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
To foster a spirit of sisterhood, understanding, tolerance and good fellowship amongst members.
To inculcate in members a true spirit of leadership and selfless service.
To take active interest in the civic, social, moral and general welfare of our Church, in particular and the Catholic Church as a whole.
To act as a support group both on spiritual and temporal matters.

Membership at joining is open to Catholic women, both Married and Single, between the ages of 25 and 45 years who desire to be practicing Catholics with a deeper knowledge of the Catholic faith, spiritual growth and more involvement with the Church.

CODE OF CONDUCT
The code of conduct of the Association is applicable to the actions of members as it relates to the home, the Catholic faith, community life and business dealings. Members shall be upright, fair and honest in their inter-personal relationships.

All members and officers shall uphold and defend the Constitution of the Association; render honest, impartial and efficient service to the Association. All members shall respect the views of the majority and abide by majority decisions.

PATRON SAINT
St. Rita of Cascia whose feast day is 22nd May is the C.S.U. Patron Saint. We usually observe a special nine-day Novena before the feast day in her honour.

MEETINGS AND FORMAT
Meetings are held weekly and always commence with the Rosary Prayers.

1st Week of the month              -           General Meeting
2nd Week of the month            -           Bible Sharing
3rd Week of the month              -           Spiritual Talk
4th Week of the month              -           Stations of the Cross/Rosary or Adoration                                                                of the Blessed Sacrament
5th Week of the month              -           Praise Worship, Bible Sharing and                                                                Testimonies.

Spiritual Committee: This is charged with the responsibility of organizing spiritual matters concerning the Association like Retreats, Bible Sharing and Prayer sessions.

The Association holds at least once in a year, a live-in retreat for the benefit of all its members. This helps us in our spiritual growth.

Social/Welfare Committee: This committee is responsible for organizing the social and civic activities of the Association. Love feasts are organized to foster a spirit of love and oneness amongst members.

Charity Committee: This committee is responsible for organizing all the charity works of the Association. Accordingly, C.S.U. supports and visits destitutes, the less privileged and the specially challenged.

Church Service Projects Committee: This committee is charged with the responsibility of organizing activities geared towards service to the church. For instance, regular cleaning of the church; operation of a snacks stand for the benefit of parishioners; support & care for Widows or indeed any other assignment that may be given by the Parish Priest.

Vocational Support: The Association also offers some regular financial contribution to the training of the Religious.

In spite of differences in background, as CSU members we strive to become models of how catholic women should treat each other and shone selfish interests; while we safe guard our common interest. We have like minds and share similar stories, similar worries and desires but agree with the Grace of God to bond, to build a stable association so we can live and serve God the way Christ has called us.

The Association has taken the work of evangelization very seriously; and is spreading fast to other parishes in other archdioceses.