Kohima, January 2 (MExN): The Parish Community of Mary Help of Christians, Cathedral parish bid farewell to the last day of 2015 with a Holy Hour of worship, praise and thanks giving before the Eucharist to thank God for all the blessing of the year and offering a thanksgiving Holy Eucharist, presided by Rev. Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, the secretary to the Bishop of Kohima.
According to a press release, after the Holy Eucharist, the community gathered around the “old man” representing the year 2015, prepared by the youth of the parish. They sang songs and carols after which Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, the Parish Priest, explained about the significance of the burning of the old man.
He said that as the old year ends and the New Year approaches, there is so much to leave behind and let go – the bad habits, violence, negativity and other difficulties one faced during the year. He urged the community to be more positive in life in the New Year with acts of love, kindness, honesty, sincerity, etc. Rev. Carolus set the fire to the old man marking the end the year 2015.
John Makhabo, in his message, said that as the year ends we must be like the one leper who came back to thank Jesus.
On the next day, the New Year’s Day, the community gathered in the Cathedral Church to seek God’s blessing during the New Year by prayer and celebrating the Holy Eucharist presided over by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima.
