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Rev Fr. Obed Yimchungru along with Bishop of Kohima Rev Dr. James Thoppil and family members after the ordination ceremony on February 18 in Pungro.[/caption]
Dimapur, Feb. 19: Bishop of Kohima Rev. Dr. James Thoppil ordained Rev. Fr. Obed Yimchungru from St. Paul Parish in Pungro as the fifth priest from Yimchungru community on February 18. ‘To make disciple of Christ’ was the motto of Rev. Fr. Obed Yimchungru.
Over forty priests concelebrated with the Bishop in the solemn ceremony.
Deacon Obed dressed in the traditional attire was led to the ordination hall by the parents and relatives. After the homily by the Bishop and before the ordination ceremony, parents prayed over him and removed the traditional attire symbolising him being set apart for God’s work.
Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, Vicar General, presented the candidate for ordination, while Rev. Fr. Sajimon, Parish Priest, accorded the words of welcome. Besides Rev. Dr. James Thoppil; John Tselise, ADC, Meluri; government officials, village leaders, dignitaries, priests and sisters from different parishes, leaders of CAN, NCYM, NCWA, catechists, and other guests were present at the ordination ceremony.
Bishop, in his homily, shared few thoughts of Pope Francis, given at various priestly ordinations. The Pope said the Holy Order along with marriage correspond to the two vocations through which Christians can make their life a gift of love. Holy Order, marked in three degrees of episcopate, presbyterate and diaconate, are the sacrament which enable the exercise of ministry from the Lord Jesus to the Apostles, as reflected in the gospel passage chosen for the day (cf. Jn. 20: 19-23).
In virtue of the Holy Order, the Bishop said a priest dedicates his whole self to the community and loves it with his whole heart, reflecting Christ’s love for the church. The love is manifested in service as St. Peter exhorts, “tend the flock of God in your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge, but being example to the flock” (1 Peter 5:1-4).
He said a priest needs to be imbued with Christ through the sacraments he celebrates, without which his ministry becomes shallow. Rootedness in sacramental life of the church brings forth passionate love for Christ and the church, he added. The bishop also stressed that vocation of priesthood is not a ticket sold and bought but the fruit of Lord’s call.
Bishop also urged Deacon Obed to share with all people the word of God, sanctify them through the celebration of the sacraments, following the example of Christ who came not be served but to serve and seek out the lost and the least.
Rev. Fr. Obed Yimchungrü, is the second of the five sons of Shahoto Abraham and late Youngtsachi Anne. He was born on June 27, 1985, at Pungro. He did his schooling at Little Flower School, Pungro. At the age of fifteen, he joined the seminary at Jalukie in the year 2000. He did the spiritual orientation course at Chabua, Assam; Philosophy and BA at Salesian College, Dimapur; Regency at Meluri and Seyochung; Masters of Philosophy and Theology at Jnana Deepa Vidyapath, Pune; and Diaconate at Lakhuti.
Rev. Fr. John Lichoi, a priest from the same parish, and David Deshelen anchored the programme. Congratulation song and choreography were presented during the short felicitation programme. Short speeches were delivered by Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, James Tsathrongli, vice president of CAN, and Shahoto, father of newly ordained priest.
