DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 9: Salesian Province of Dimapur comprising the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Upper Assam, Manipur and Nagaland felicitated 13 Salesians in a common jubilee celebration at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, on October 8.
The jubilarians included Fr. Thomas Vattoth, Fr. Mathew Tharakan (Diamond Jubilarians of Religious Profession), Fr. Thomas Mulayinkal and Fr. Kuriakose Palathinkal (Golden Jubilarians of Religious Profession), Fr. Dennis Panipitchai, Fr. Thomas Vengakunnel, Fr. Sebastian Thuruthiyil, Fr. Lazarus Kujur and Fr. Jeremias Moshary (Silver Jubilarians of Priestly Ordination) as well as Fr. Theotimus Lakra, Fr. Benny James Kurian, Fr. M. J. Vianney and Fr. Guangdiat Nicholas (Silver Jubilarians of Religious profession). Two other silver jubilarians of Religious Profession namely Brother Biju Joseph and Fr. Cyriac Manipadam were honoured in absentia as they are working out of Northeast India.
The two main highlights of the jubilee celebrations consisted of the jubilee eucharist and a felicitation programme both of which were held in the auditorium of DBHSS, Dimapur. The jubilee eucharist was presided over by Fr. Mathew Tharakan and concelebrated by over 60 other priests including Fr. Nestor Guriasdb, Provincial of Dimapur, and Fr. Lazar, Vicar General of Dibrugarh Diocese.
Fr. Thomas Vengakunnel, Principal of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Dibrugarh, in his homily, acknowledged and thanked the parents, the Salesian congregation and especially God for helping them to live and work for the youth as members of the Salesian congregation founded by St. John Bosco.
Earlier, bagpipe band of Christ King Higher Secondary School, Kohima, solemnly escorted the jubilarians into the venue. The Eucharist was preceded by words of welcome by Fr. CM Joseph, administrator of DBHSS, Dimapur.
The felicitation programme commenced with a scintillating prayer dance by the students of Bosco B.Ed. College, Dimapur, while the students of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Padampukhri, performed a rhythmic choreography.
Fr. TC Joseph, Principal of Bosco B.Ed College, pronounced words of felicitation and screened an audio-visual programme. The students of DBHSS Dimapur presented a choir piece in appreciation of the jubilarians. The little kids of BOSCOME schools delighted everyone with a lively Hindi dance.
