Dimapur, Jan. 14 (EMN): A local church, the Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Zelome village in Phek district, celebrated its golden jubilee from Jan. 12 to the 14th with the theme “Saved by Grace through Faith.”
The celebrations was held at the local ground of Zelome. During the ‘jubilee day’ that was observed today, Very Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou Kuotsu, the vicar-general of Kohima Diocese said in his homily that the celebration of jubilee ‘is very common in our state’ but asked “whether we understand the meaning of celebration of our jubilee.”
Citing references from the Bible, the church leader said that the Jews were called to build a close relationship between God and the people. When God chose these people, he had a clear vision, the church leader said. Explaining that it was the vocation of the Israelites, the reverend told the gathering that “We are the new children, the new Israelites and our vocation is also the same.” He emphasized also on the need to make the jubilee celebrations a time of liberation, restoration, reconciliation and jubilation. He asserted that every celebration should ‘make us realize our vocation.’
“May we have a new journey of faith. May this Jubilee celebration be a moment of a feast of Epiphany for all of us,” he said. “My prayer and wish is that may this jubilee celebration, which is a call to new life and a new road, may it help us to find a better road to travel, a holier road of love, peace and forgiveness and lead us to true salvation.”
Member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Deo Nukhu attend the program as a ‘special guest.’ He said that 50 years was a long journey in a Christian life. He spoke about having belief that the church had ‘matured enough.’ Recalling that he also received education from a Catholic institution, the legislator expressed appreciation to the Catholics for providing education especially in the Razeba range.
The legislator encouraged the gathering to ‘cultivate the habit of reading the scripture.’ He told them that “When we read, God is speaking to us and when we pray, we are speaking to God and it should be two ways.”
“Let us learn to love, help, and strengthen each other in prayer and through this jubilee, let us attain a stage higher than the first half of the century”, he added. He wished the people a ‘successful Christian life.’
Some of the highlights of ‘jubilee day’ included the unveiling of the monolith, and a High Mass. Speakers at the three-day golden jubilee were Rev. Fr. Neikhalo Patrick who spoke on the topic “Living a life of witnessing the Gospel”; Rev. Fr. (Dr). Anang Pereira SJ who spoke on “Saved by grace through faith”; and Dr. Mario Joseph, an international charismatic preacher.
