The 23rd convention of the Angami Catholic Women Association (ACWA), hosted by Sts. Peter and Paul Church Zhadima, got underway on Friday in Zhadima village under Kohima district on the theme "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished."
An update from the association informed that the three-day convention began with inauguration of convention hall by parish priest of Mary Help of Christians, Cathedral Kohima, and ACWA spiritual director, Rev. Fr. Vemedo Kezo Joseph.
Speaking on the theme, the priest urged Catholic women to reflect on the story and life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. He stated that mothers have the key to build or break a family and society. With the huge responsibility upon the shoulders of mothers, he called upon the mothers to fulfill their responsibility and never lose the key.
As mothers hold a special role in the families, he encouraged mothers to be spiritual mothers to their children and keep their children close to the church.
Despite being a minority community, he stated that faithful of the church should proudly profess the faith by following ethics and teachings of the Catholic Church at home and at workplaces.
The inaugural session was chaired by ACWA vice president, Mezhünuo Alice, while the catechist of Sts. Peter and Paul Church Zhadima, Pezhachülie Philip, shared greetings and Vichosüle Lydwin from SACWA read the word of God.
The session concluded with a prayer said by CACWA president, Neichürieno Bridget. Chedema CWA under NACWA was the choir of the session.
In the second session, parish priest of St. John the Evangelist Church Khonoma, Rev. Fr. Dr. Solomon Visosie-o Vizo, spoke on the topic "Faith without work is dead."
He stated that through the Baptism, faithful are called to be God's children. He, therefore, stressed on the need to regularly feed the soul with spiritual food and be in communion with Christ.
He further advised the people to have faith, repent, and live by the Catholic faith.
The session was chaired by ACWA joint secretary, Rüüngu-ü Rose, while the word of God was read by CACWA general secretary, Rovikono Roseline, and concluded with a prayer said by Kelhousano Cecilia. Khonoma CWA was the choir of the session. It informed that nearly a thousand women from 46 Angami villages covering Southern ACWA, Northern ACWA, Chakhroma ACWA, Western ACWA, Kohima Town ACWA have registered on the first day of the convention.