EMN
Dimapur, January 31
A new parish of St. Maria Goretti in Sechü-Zubza erected on December 25 was officially inaugurated on January 31 on the feast day of St. John Bosco. Rev. Fr. Nestor, provincial; Fr. Jacob, parish priest of Khonoma; Fr. Samuel Elow, the new parish priest along with fathers, sisters; Rolavituo Nicholas, Deputy Commissioner, Kohima; catechists, pastors, elders of the community and representatives from catholic parishes and villages were present on occasion.In a welcome address, Rev. Fr. Jacob Charalel, parish priest of Khonoma, said it has been a long cherished desire and dream of the catholic community of Sechü-Zubza to have their church raised to the status of a parish. The catholic faith sown in 1967 took root and grew initially under the pastoral care from Christ King Parish, Kohima.
Bishop of Kohima, Rev. Dr. James Thoppil thanked the Salesians congregation whose founder’s feast is celebrated on January 31 and St. John Bosco was truly remarkable saint, Christian educator and lover of youth. Elaborating the reading of the day, he illustrated how God calls each and every Christian to be a prophet like Jeremiah saying, ‘When God calls he also equips the person.’
Referring to the second reading of the day from the letter of Paul to Corinthians, he said all gifts and talents come from God, which are to be used for the wellbeing of the community in love under the direction of the legitimate authority. He said without love all gifts and virtues, including faith and hope are useless. He said love and only love is the mark of a Christian.
Bishop said that we must never remain silent in the face of evil for fear of being thought “politically incorrect.”
‘Love does not tolerate destructive behavior, but it sometimes causes pain--just as a surgeon must sometimes hurt in order to heal. We need to be kind, charitable, honest, forgiving and clear in speaking out our Christian convictions as Jesus was when He spoke in the synagogue,’ Bishop said.
After the homily, Fr. Samuel Elow was officially installed by observing the rites such as: public reading of the appointment, hymn to the Holy Spirit, profession of faith by Fr. Samuel, handing over the key of the church and the tabernacle, kissing the four corners of the altar, sitting at the confessional, ringing the bell and opening of the bible on the lectern.
Rev. Fr. Nestor, Salesian, provincial, thanked the Bishop, Fr. Jacob, parish priest of the mother parish, and his predecessors, salesian community and people of Zubza for their steadfastness in faith and assure that the new parish would be taken care with utmost commitment following the diocesan directives and the salesian educational pastoral programme.
Meanwhile, Fr. Samuel Elow, the new parish priest, thanked the Bishop, provincial, fathers, sisters, Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, pastors, and all the invited guests from various places for their presence and support.
Sechu-Zubza Catholic Youth Association, Salesian Novices, and Aspirants presented the special songs. Mhiesinguto Mark and Kveviuchutuo Victor anchored the programme, while Michael spoke on behalf of Western Angami Catholic Union. The vote of thanks was delivered by Medolepra Lucas.
Sacred Heart Church in Toulazouma was blessed by Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima, and inaugurated by Rev. Rt. Chacko Thottumarickal, Bishop of Indore, MP, on January 30 in the presence of village GBs, village chairman and community representatives from various villages of Kohima and Dimapur districts.
Rev. Fr. James KC, parish priest of Mt. Carmel Parish, 4th Mile, welcomed both the Bishops, fathers and sisters, GBs, village chairman, village leaders, delegates from various villages, invitees and members of the village community.
Bishop, in his introduction, congratulated Rev. Fr. James and Fr. John Ntonse for the initiative to construct the church with the help of the community. Bishop also thanked Fr. Thomas PJ, his colleagues and his predecessors of Holy Cross Parish, Dimapur, who began the centre and continued to give pastoral care of the community.
In his homily, he emphasized that the real church is each believer since each one is temple of the Holy Spirit. Unless we build the spiritual temple, our external worship and building of physical and material Church will be in vain, the Bishop said. He added that external worship should be the manifestation and realization of the true spiritual worship in our hearts as we are called to worship God in spirit and in truth. Bishop also exhorted the people to come to the church to worship the living God and to build ourselves as a temple every day.
Special songs from St. Anthony’s Church-Tenyiphe, Chakhesang Baptist Church-Toulazouma, and Chakhro CYA were the highlight of the felicitation programme. Village council chairman of Toulazouma spoke on the occasion and presentations were given to all the invited guests and leaders.
Kethoketuo Angelus anchored the programme and Pecha Aloysius proposed the vote of thanks.
