Dimapur, April 3 (mexn): The Divine Mercy Sunday cum Parish feast of St. Joseph’s Church, Chumukedima was celebrated on today with Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as the main celebrant. Twenty two others concelebrated with the Bishop. The Solemn Eucharistic procession started soon after the Holy Mass and concluded with solemn blessing of the Holy Eucharist at St. Anthony’s campus, Tenyiphe.
During the event, Parish Priest, Chumukedima Rev. Fr. Sajan welcomed the congregation which among others included the Bishop, Priests, sisters, invited guest and faithful from different parishes.
Wishing the parish community a very happy feast of their Patron saint, St. Joseph, the Bishop said “God’s unending mercy and special predilection and in whom God’s mercy was fully realized” in him.
How does God reveal His mercy? Rev. Thoppil asked. “He does so, first and foremost, by sending His only-begotten Son to become our Savior and Lord by his suffering, death and resurrection.”
Today Divine mercy is concretely realized in the celebration of the sacrament, particularly the sacrament of reconciliation, he further noted.
Let’s show mercy to our fellow human beings always and everywhere as Gospel demanded, he further said, adding that “We radiate God's mercy to others by our actions, our words, and our prayers,” and it is through such corporal and spiritual works of mercy “we practice mercy in our daily lives and become eligible for God’s merciful judgment.”
The Bishop also urged the faithful to ask God for the Faith that culminates in self-surrender to God and leads us to serve those we encounter with love. “Living faith enables us to see the risen Lord in everyone and gives us the willingness to render to each one our loving service.”
Rev. Fr. Mathew Mhabemo, Priest in-charge, St. Peter's Church, Sanis in his speech also said that St. Joseph, the patron saint of St. Joseph Parish, was a just, simple and humble foster father of Jesus who carried out the will and plan of God in happiness. He urged faithful to trust totally in God and do God’s will.
During the event, the hymns for the day were sung by the brothers and novices while women of the parish presented the special song in the programme. A band was also displayed by the students of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Padampukuri.
One hundred and fifteen children also received first Holy Communion and hundred and seventy people received the sacrament of confirmation. The procession ended with the community feast.
