Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Oct. 27: Holy Cross Parish at Dimapur celebrated on Saturday its golden jubilee (1968–2018) at Holy Cross Hr. Sec. School (HCHSS) in Dimapur, on Oct. 27. Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza, archbishop of Kolkata, unveiled the jubilee’s monolith. He congratulated the parish for all it had achieved in the past 50 years, and prayed for peace and love to dwell in the parish.
The golden jubilee celebration which was held on the theme ‘Redeemed by the Cross’ was attended by a host of Bishops, priests, nuns, parish members, catholic church leaders, students, and invitees among others. Different items including jubilee anthem from jubilee choir, folk song from Angami community, war dance from Garo troupe, and folk dance from Rongmei community were presented during the programme.
The chief celebrant, Rev. Thomas D’Souza, while speaking on the occasion, congratulated the Holy Cross Parish for achieving the great milestone of 50 years. While appreciating the parish for its services to the society, especially providing quality education in the state, Souza encouraged the parish to continue their noble works in the future.
“Future is present continuous, in which, if you continue to do it every day the future will take care of itself,” the archbishop said. He prayed for the spirit of joy, service, and faith to dwell in the parish as it continues with their mission in the days to come.
Rev. Fr. PC Mani, the first parish priest of Holy Cross Parish, Dimapur, who attended the event as a special guest released the golden jubilee souvenir. Mani, who started the parish in 1968, expressed satisfaction at the work of the church.
Reflecting on how he started the parish back then, Mani said, “I didn’t do anything. I only waited for God to do the action,” while adding, “Things happen not as we want but as God wants.”
A brief history of Holy Cross Parish was presented by the principal of HCHSS, Fr. Philip Magh. He said that back in the 1960s many were educated from Shillong and Darjeeling. Hence, Holy Cross was opened in 1966, and in 1968, Rev. Fr. PC Mani was appointed the first parish priest of Holy Cross Parish at Dimapur.
