Pochury Catholic Women Association celebrates silver jubilee
Meluri, January 15 (MExN): Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima today presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the silver jubilee celebration of Pochury Catholic Women Association (PCWA) at St. Xavier Parish Church, Meluri Village. The silver jubilee is being celebrated from January 13 to 16 under the theme ‘The reward for doing good is life’ (Pr. 10:16).
The Bishop applauded the office bearers of PCWA for organizing the “beautiful and grand” celebration. Referring to the first reading of the day from the book of Leviticus, he spoke of the right disposition to celebrate jubilees, informed a press release from Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary. He said that at every jubilee celebration, the people of Israel were invited to give up their sinful past by restoring the lost property, releasing the slaves, renewing themselves and resolving to live a new life. “Thus repentance, release, renewal, restoration and re-dedication are the key elements of the jubilee. Therefore this jubilee celebration should be a chance to renew and re-start the Christian life,” the Bishop stated.
Referring to the Pope Francis’ idea of jubilee, the Bishop said that the celebration today should be an occasion to remember the past with gratitude, live the present with passion and look to the future with hope. He reiterated that the jubilee must be an occasion to resolve to rebuild “our” lives on the strong foundation – Jesus Christ. The Bishop further urged that the jubilee celebration be an occasion to change and mend “our” old sinful ways and start anew a new life, a gospel filled life. He asked the audience to commit oneself “newly and totally to the faith of the Church, for which our forefathers suffered and bore witness, so that we will be filled with the fullness of God.”
The other speakers who dealt with various topics during the three-day celebrations were Rev. Frs. Jaison Thomas, Director Pastoral Centre, Dimapur, Solomon Kevishi, Asst. Priest, Meluri, John Latsütho Poji, Administrator, MSW College Dimapur, and Vilanuo Angela, President, NCWA.
Earlier, the jubilee monolith was blessed by the Bishop and inaugurated by Rev. Fr Mathew Keemattam, a former Parish Priest of Meluri. Rev. Fr. Solomon Vizo, Parish Priest, St. John the Evangelist Church, Khonoma, released the jubilee souvenir.
The Bishop also blessed the newly elected office bearers of PCWA, namely Thovirho- President, Luozhiesü- Vice president, Virhenyu- General Secretary, Riechuthsü Joint- Secretary, and Thovirhü-Treasurer. According to the release, the community had one year of spiritual preparation for the jubilee through special prayers, confession and other corporal and spiritual deeds.
The jubilee celebration will end with a thanksgiving mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Dominic Selosie, Asst. Priest, St. Thomas Church, Tuensang on January 16.
