Participants and others during silver jubilee celebration of St Joseph Parish Youth Movement (1998-2023) held on September 17.
Chümoukedima, September 18 (MExN): More than 1900 faithful converged at St Joseph Parish Centre, Chümoukedima to celebrate the silver jubilee of St Joseph Parish Youth Movement (1998-2023) on September 17.
The occasion featured blessing and unveiling of the Jubilee Monolith, The Holy Eucharistic celebration, Felicitation Programme and Jubilee Thanksgiving Night, a press release stated here.
Before the Holy Eucharist, Rev Fr Anthony R. Dukru, Parish Priest welcomed the congregation for the Silver Jubilee celebration and invited the Bishop to light the Jubilee Candle.
The Eucharistic celebration was led by Most Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima. In his homily, Bishop James Thoppil called upon the congregation to a culture of forgiveness. Citing examples of Abraham Lincoln, Pope John Paul II, Blessed Rani Maria, and Jesus Christ himself who died for the forgiveness of our sins, he drove home the print that our faith and our relationship with Jesus permit us no other option. He also said that the youths are called the future of the church but he stressed that the youths are the present of the Church for strong future Church.
The first reading, second reading and prayer of the faithful were read by Lekho Elias Dukru, Tovini Monica and Elizabeth Dangmei respectively.
The key features of the felicitation programme led by Kevino Mary was the releasing of the Jubilee Souvenir by Most Rev Dr James Thoppil, and the acknowledgement of dignitaries, guests and well wishers of the youth movement. Welcome Address was delivered by the Jubilee Convenor, Kaini Teresa while John Dornal Chetri the Convenor of Finance Committee expressed the word of thanks.
The session concluded with a prayer by the Assistant Parish Priest and Youth Director, Rev Fr Marcus Yanthan.
The Jubilee Thanksgiving Night was graced by the guest of honour, Johnny Ruangmei, Joint CEO, NSDMA (Government of Nagaland) and President, Catholic Association of Nagaland. Rita Kikon, Advisor to NCWA with her colleagues and Dr Lowrence Kithan, President, NCYM with his colleagues also graced the occasion.
Earlier, the invocation was said by Rev Fr Marcus, Assistant Parish Priest and Youth Director while the vote of thanks and benediction were pronounced by Elizabeth Richa and Rev Fr Anthony R Dukru, Parish Priest.
