Reverend Deacon Mathew Neni Koso with Most Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima and others during the ordination ceremony at St Joseph’s Parish, Chümoukedima on December 29.
Chümoukedima, December 30 (MExN): Reverend Deacon Mathew Neni Koso was ordained as a Priest for the Diocese of Kohima by Most Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima at St Joseph’s Parish, Chümoukedima on December 29. The motto of the new Priest is “You have the words of Eternal Life” (Luke 6:68)
According to a press release issue by Fr Victor Renthungo, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima, Deacon Mathew Neni dressed in the traditional Mao attire came in procession to the church with Bishop James, priests and family members. The community humming and singing in the traditional tunes led the procession.
Rev Fr Peter Enni, Assistant Priest of St Joseph’s Church anchored the ordination ceremony while Rev Fr Anthony Dukru, Parish Priest accorded the welcome address to the Most Rev Dr James Thoppil, invited guests, CAN, NCWA, NCYM and village chairman, dignitaries, priests and sisters from different parishes and other participants.
Bishop in his introduction said that it is a red letter day for the Catholic community of St Joseph’s Parish, Chümoukedima, and diocese of Kohima and also for Deacon Mathew Neni.
In his Homily, the Bishop explained the prophetic, pastoral and priestly role of a priest. “Once ordained, the Priest is a marked man. He is impressed with the indelible character of the priesthood. He is a priest forever, even when he plays tennis or goes swimming,” he said.
“To be a good priest is the hardest work and the most glorious work on earth. It takes love—abundant love and the most patient love—and it take hard work. And perhaps above all else it takes prayer—loving prayer. The priest in short is God's priest. He is God's humble servant. He must belong to God, body and soul,” the Bishop stated and added, “The true priest lives no longer for himself, but solely to the end that he may hold up the Crucified before men.”
Bishop concluded his homily by thanking, particularly, the family and relatives of Fr Mathew for offering him to God and to the Church.
During the felicitation programme was chaired by Emilo Ezung. The programme witnessed special items like congratulation song by the St Joseph Parish Youth. Words of exhortation and encouragements were pronounced by Bishop and Johny Raungmei, President Catholic Association of Nagaland. Mathew, the newly ordained Priest thanked all in turn. Time was allotted for the well-wishers to felicitate the newly ordained personally and after which meal was served to all.
