Nagaland: Golden jubilee celebration of Diphu parish underway

Our Correspondent

Diphu, May 6 (EMN): The golden jubilee celebration of Diphu parish on the theme ‘Thy kingdom come’ got underway at the Cathedral of the Risen Lord in Diphu on Friday,

The three-day celebration will conclude on Sunday and is organised by Diphu Parish Council, Diphu Parish Katholic Nimarli Asong, Diphu Parish Karbi Katholic Sarmar Asong (DPKKSA) and Catholic Youth Association (CYA).

The celebration began with the release of balloons by Robertson Teron and release of doves by Fr. Zacharias Mundekathara and Vicar General of Diphu Diocese, Fr. John Timung, which was followed by the holy mass.

Attending as the chief guest in the inaugural session, Executive Member (EM), Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), in charge Handloom and Textiles, Ratan Teron said  that it was through the education received from Catholic priests that he gained moral discipline.

“I am one of the former pupils of Diphu Don Bosco School, which is a higher secondary school now. I am one of the fortunate persons to have studied under the guidance of the Catholic fathers and sisters, who taught me about good behavior, sincerity and always to be true. The fathers and sisters have shaped my future and I am now in this position due to their love and affection shown to me. Today I am very much happy to participate in the golden jubilee celebration of Diphu parish as one of the former pupil and hosteller”, the EM said.     

He also said that Diphu parish has increased its members and wished the parish ‘to grow from strength to strength in the coming days’.

The inaugural candle was lit by the president of the parish council and parish priest, Fr. Thomas Maripurath; Fr. Jon Timung; EM, KAAC Teron; former EM, KAAC Pradip Singnar and other senior members of the parish.

The founding Catholic families of Diphu parish, former leaders of the parish council, fathers and sisters who worked in the parish were felicitated and presented mementos.

The inaugural programme was also attended by the village headman of Rongnihang, Puniram Teron; Mrinoy Teron and Deben Timung (Pilongri Arts). 

It may be mentioned that on January 25, 1914, Langtuk Hanse and five other persons of Rong Marjong village, now in West Karbi Anglong were the first Catholics among the Karbis. They were baptised by Fr. Chrisostomus Lefef Mayr at a place called Umterkhang in Khasi hills of Meghalaya, while Don Bosco School, Diphu was set up on March 4, 1969 and two years after setting up of the school in 1971, Diphu parish was set up.