Kohima, December 17 (MExN): St. Joseph Church, 4th NAP Bn Thizama celebrated silver jubilee with Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as chief celebrant on December 16 under the theme ‘Worship Him Continually’ (1Chro. 16:11). Rev. Fr. Salew Peter SDB, Parish Priest, Christ King Parish, Kohima unveiled the jubilee monolith, while priests from Kohima, concelebrated the Holy Eucharist with the Bishop during which 15 received the first Holy Communion and 11 faithful received the Sacrament of the Confirmation.
Bishop expressed gratitude to God for inspiring and guiding every step of the pioneers of the St. Joseph Church community who ventured out to live the universality of the Catholic Church by gathering together Catholics irrespective of their tribal affiliation. “With courage they set to live the Catholic faith despite strong individual and institutional opposition and antagonism against it, trusting in God who inspired and called them,” the Bishop added, according to a press release from his secretary, Fr. Thomas Toretkiu.
Most Rev. Dr. James further pointed out that Catholic faith united the members of different tribes in Thizama. “Faith was a cementing and uniting factor and not a differentiating and divisive factor.”
“We know from the history of the Church in Thizama that there was united and institutional opposition to Catholic faith saying that there must be only one church in the Battalion campus. But the courage and conviction of the Catholic could not deter them from building a Church for themselves and the timely help from Christ King Parish members from Kohima village gave them courage and strength to go ahead with their plan to build the Church,” he recounted.
The Bishop expressed gratefulness to the pioneers of the church for their courage and commitment, while also reminding that jubilee becomes an occasion to remember the past with gratitude.
“Jubilee is also the time to live the present with passion and commitment. The question we have to ask ourselves as we celebrate the jubilee is if and how are we open to being challenged by the Gospel; whether the Gospel is truly the “manual” for our daily living and the decisions we are called to make,” he added.
Most Rev. Dr. James further mentioned the second reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians where St. Paul told the community to put to death what is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness which is idolatry. “The Christian faith is demanding and difficult. Yet Jesus asks us to practice it and live it. Looking around us, in our home, in our village, in our state, can we say that the Christian values are lived and they permeate and determine the decision and choices we make daily,” he asked.
Secular and materialistic ideologies, he maintained, are at its height. “People are trying to build up a life without God, a life based on earthly values and pleasures. But it is precisely amid these difficulties and uncertainties, which we share with so many of our contemporaries, that we are called to live the Christian faith.”
Meanwhile, the Bishop told the congregation that the celebration of the jubilee should challenge one to examine their fidelity to the Christ and to the Gospel and the tradition set by the pioneers. “The gospel or Christianity itself will not work any miracles in our lives or change our lives, unless we live it in our lives. Live your present life with deep commitment. Change and mend your old sinful ways and start anew a new life, and gospel filled life,” he urged.
The jubilee was attended by Fathers and Sisters, Catechists, president and members of DAN, NCWA, NCYM, dignitaries, invited guests and faithful.
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