Kohima, December 15 (MExN): The Catholic community of St. Joseph Church, Viswema celebrated the Golden Jubilee cum blessing and dedication of their newly built Church with Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as the Chief Celebrant on Thursday, December 15.
Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, Vicar General, Diocese of Kohima, unveiled the Jubilee Monolith.
Nosazol Charles, Chairman, Jubilee Organizing Committee, in his welcome address, termed the day “a red letter day” for the Catholic Community of Viswema and express thanks to pioneering missionaries, particularly the Jesuit Fathers and the Bethany Sisters.
The Catholic faith in the village began on January 31, 1966 when Zaku Zakaria Tsukru, Krusatonu Anna and Mekrutsole Athansia were baptized from Khonoma during the 2nd Nagaland Catholic Congress. Today the community has grown to 348 families with 1458 Catholic members in the village.
The newly built and specially designed Church was blessed and dedicated by the Bishop while Rev. Fr. Arul Soosaimanickam, SJ, Regional Superior, North East Jesuits inaugurated it.
The Eucharistic celebration began with the lighting of 50 lambs by 50 Catholics representatives signifying fifty years of Christian lives. Over forty priests concelebrated the Mass.
The Bishop in his address congratulated the Viswema Catholic Community on the golden jubilee and for constructing such a magnificent Church but reminded the gathering that it is through a life lived in accordance with the teaching of Jesus that one truly worships God.
“Today we express our gratitude to God who inspired and guided every step of the pioneers of this community who ventured out to accept and to live not so well known and welcome faith fifty years ago,” the Bishop stated adding, “We are today heirs of that noble venture.”
“Let the golden jubilee celebration be the opportune time to live the faith of the pioneers with commitment and passion with great hope to the future,” the Bishop urged.
