Dimapur, January 24 (MExN): Women from 16 tribes across Nagaland attended the 9th Nagaland Catholic Women Association (NCWA) Convention which concluded today at St. Paul’s Church, Wokha. The convention which started in January 22 culminated with the Holy Mass officiated by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima on Sunday at the Parish Church. Juliet Ramamurthy, President, Council of Catholic Women of India, along with her colleagues, Shelia Christina from Chinnai, Pamela Caesar, from Kochin, Evoon and Eveline D’Siva from Mumbai were the special guests for the convention while The Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) Executives also took part as special guests and invitees. At the concluding function today, Rev. Fr. Anto Tharakan, Parish Priest welcomed Bishop James, Priests, Sisters, laity, invited guests and all NCWA members. In his introduction to the Holy Mass, the Bishop congratulated NCWA President Annie Kath and Secretary Floret and all their colleagues along with Fr. Mathew Mhabemo and Sr. Rita successful arrangement of the Convention. Bishop based his homily on the manifesto of Jesus at Nazareth and urged the congregation to translate Christ’s vision into action for those who are materially and spiritually poor, those in various types of bondages, people who are blind and oppressed. Though we are many and in different forms, we must work together harmoniously to realize the vision of Jesus, he emphasized. In the midst of so much bad news such as poverty, hunger, violence, terrorism, injustice, etc., what good news can we proclaim to those affected by this sad news? Rev. Dr. Thoppil further posed adding how can we become sharers rather than hoarders, liberators rather than perpetrators of socio-economic slavery? In this context, he opined that we need to be influenced and be motivated by Christ in order to achieve his vision. The Bishop prayed and blessed the new office bears of NCWA for the next term – 2016=2019 and wished them the very best in their new responsibilities. Rev. Frs. Mhabemo Mathew, Spiritual Director, NCWA; Philip Magh, Principal Holy Cross Hr. Sec. School, Dimapur; Rev. Srs. Margarete Sekhose, MSMHC; Rita Miasalhou, Women Co-ordinator, CCWI; and Juliet President, CCWI were the array of speakers during the convention. They dealt with topics such as ‘A Family that prayers together, stays together; Women persevere / bearer of Life; Women can transform the society. It also features several songs and performances from various entities. Members from different tribes presented special items during the Cultural fest on 23rd evening. The entrance procession and the offertory were accompanied by traditional tune and traditional attires signifying the differences in Culture but ONE in Christ, informed a press note from Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima.