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DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 24
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Diocese of Kohima, joined the Catholics all over the world, in celebrating the closing of the Year of Faith on November 24. In Nagaland the main celebration was presided over by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of the Diocese of Kohima, who presided over the Eucharistic celebration held at Mary Help of Christian Cathedral, Kohima.
It may be mentioned that the Year of Faith was called by Pope Benedict XVI in October of 2012 and sustained by Pope Francis to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, the 20th Anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the begin of the Synod of Bishops on The Evangelization.The Holy Father had called the Catholic Church all over the world to a year of intentional reflection designed to rediscover and to strengthen the faith that unites them with Christ and one another. During the opening of the year of Faith, Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI had released an Apostolic letter, Porta Fidei, in which has stated that the ‘Year of Faith’ as an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion — to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him.
The year has been prayerfully observed by more than one billion Catholics across the world, by committing themselves to knowing the faith, living the faith and sharing it. Diocese of Kohima has honoured this call of the Holy Father to prayerful reflections through various programmes and observances at the diocesan as well as in the parish level.
Bishop James in his homily, during the concluding Mass said that this ‘Year of Faith’ has been an inspiring opportunity for us all to reflect on faith, and how necessary it is for every moment of our lives – not just one hour on Sunday.
“To live and share one’s faith, one must first of all know one’s faith. Therefore one must be serious about studying our faith, by reading the word of God daily, either individually or in our families; reading catholic literature, attending seminars and retreats, etc. If one is not rooted in knowledge one will be tossed about with every wind doctrines,” he stated.
Faith, he said, is not merely an intellectual knowledge. It must animate and direct our lives. The life of a committed Catholic is different from the rest. Concretely speaking, he will be honest, hard working, sincere, service minded, respectful, content with what he has, moderate, happy. Such a person cannot, but be witness to Jesus in the world and a challenge to others. This is what we call living our faith. Today, more than ever, the Church needs, such witnesses, the world need such witness, our country needs such witness, our state and society needs such witness. Let us make a difference, he exhorted the catholic faithful.
In the liturgical Calendar of the Church, November 24, is the last Sunday this, in which the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King. The Diocese of Kohima, in a especially way remembered and acknowledged the yeoman service rendered by the Catechists, in different catholic communities spread far and wide in the diocese.
