St Dominic Savio Church, Kiphire organised its first-ever two-day mothers’ Seminar on September 11 and 12.
Kiphire, September 13 (MExN): St Dominic Savio Church, Kiphire (SDSCK) organised its first-ever two-day Mothers’ Seminar on September 11 and 12 on the theme “Strong Mothers, Strong Homes and Strong Faith,” bringing together mothers of the parish for spiritual renewal, formation and fellowship.
The seminar was animated by Rev Fr Thomas Toretkiu, Associate Priest of Kiusam Town, as the main resource person.
In the opening session on ‘Mother Mary and the Rosary’, Fr Toretkiu urged mothers to see Mary not as a distant spiritual figure but as a mother who journeys with them in their daily struggles and joys. Describing the Rosary as a “family protection rope” that binds the family together in prayer, he encouraged mothers to pray at least one decade of the Rosary daily with their children.
Speaking on ‘Spiritual Warfare in the Home’, he said the real enemies in a family are not neighbours or relatives but anger, jealousy, gossip, alcoholism and fear. He stressed that mothers are called to be the gatekeepers of their homes, guarding their hearts and households against these evils and fostering an atmosphere of peace and forgiveness.
In a session on ‘Mental Health and Well-Being’, Fr Toretkiu underlined that a mother’s body, mind and spirit are deeply interconnected, and cautioned against overloading oneself with endless work and tension without rest. “When a mother breaks, the family breaks,” he said, while encouraging self-care as not selfish but essential. He also demonstrated simple practical techniques to manage anger and stress.
On the second day, the focus was on ‘Parenting and Child Development’ and ‘Work-Life Balance and Growth’.
On parenting, Fr Toretkiu noted that raising children today is more challenging due to mobile technology and changing values. While the older generation grew up with fear of the cane, today’s children need “connection before correction,” he said, calling upon mothers to speak blessings and not curses over their children and to teach not merely by words but by the witness of their own lives.
In the final session on work-life balance, he reminded mothers that they are not just workers, explaining that every person has three fields to tend — God’s field, which is our soul; the Home field, which is our family; and the Work field, which is our workplace. A balanced life requires tending to all three without going to extremes. “God wants mothers to be joyful women, not just tired workers,” he said.
A session on Health, Nutrition and Self-Care highlighted five tips for good health: protein for healing, adequate water for hydration, daily skin check, regular exercise and movement, and rest and mental health.
Rev Fr Luke Nagahoto spoke on the signs and symbols in the Eucharist and on the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confession, explaining the deep spiritual implications of the signs and symbols used in the Catholic liturgy and stating that the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life.
The sessions were moderated by MCs Genevieve Vikhenshe, Febronia Khumcholila, Shikali Catherine, Sebia Leshila, Teresa Tsoathsi and Lucy Achola. Special songs were presented by the mothers, Catechism children and Youth of the parish, while a solo was presented by Stanly Tsasuba. The praise and worship team from St Peter’s Parish and the Sisters animated the singing throughout the seminar.
