Share
Dimapur, Dec. 29 (EMN): The Catholic community of St. Mary’s Church at Merapani in Wokha district celebrated their golden jubilee on December 27 and the 28th with the theme “He is a living God and He will rule forever” (Daniel 6:26).
The bishop of Kohima Rev. Dr. James Thoppil was the main celebrant of the jubilee Holy Eucharist on December 28, while Elias T Lotha, transport commissioner, attended the occasion as the special guest.
A press release from the bishop’s secretary Victor Renthungo stated that the event commenced with a traditional procession towards the jubilee monolith. It stated that the bishop blessed the jubilee monolith, which was unveiled by Elias T Lotha.
It stated that balloons assembled in the Rosary beads were also released by the congregation to mark the occasion.
In his homily, the bishop stated that jubilee is a time to express gratitude to God for inspiring the pioneers of the community, who ventured out to accept and live a faith that was no so familiar and welcomed.
“Today we are grateful and proud of them. Their sacrifices and dedications bore fruit and we are here today celebrating their courage and commitment to accept and live the Catholic faith-- the faith that had come down to us from Jesus, through the apostles and their successors,” the bishop stated.
Also stating that jubilee is also a time to live the present with passion, he said it is also a call to re-dedicate and renew their lives according to the principles of Jesus Christ.
On the occasion, he said the faithful should be able to say with Saint Paul: “For to me to live is Christ” (Phil 1:21). He added that jubilee is also a time to embrace the future with hope.
In conclusion, he invited the community to look at the past with gratitude, to live the present with passion and commitment and embrace the future with hope.
Also speaking on the occasion, Elias Lotha exhorted the community to be a living example by coming out of one’s comfort zone to spread the message of the Gospel. He further called upon the Catholic community to profess their faith with conviction and firmness in believe.
The special event of the jubilee was the Eucharistic Procession wherein the faithful marched in procession along with the Holy Sacrament around the village to seek God’s blessing upon the village.