Dimapur, Dec. 18: Catholic Youth Association (CYA) of Holy Cross Parish, Dimapur celebrated silver jubilee with Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima, as the main Celebrant on Sunday. Rev. Fr. P. J. Thomas, Parish Priest of Holy Cross, Dimapur, George Anthony, Parish Priest of Lakhuti along with other priests concelebrated the Holy Eucharist.
Bishop in his speech congratulated the youth of Holy Cross, Dimapur as they celebrate a mile stone in their history. He said celebration must look to the past with gratitude, live the present with passion and look to the future with hope. Citing the example of St. Joseph who went beyond his personal and community plan to carry out God’s plan, he called upon the youth to be opened to God’s plan, which at times may be contrary to one’s plans and programs. Elaborating the life plan of Joseph and God’s intervention in his plan, he said God intervenes in our life and then to reverse our plans. As we prepare for Christmas, we are invited to imitate his faith which prompts us to forego our plans or change our decisions in order to accept God’s, said Bishop. Bishop said sometimes ‘we’ are so much led by our selfish desires, personal ambitions and public or peer pressure that we fail to act on what we believe to be true and right. Further, he said “as God chose to be Emmanuel and dwell among us, each one of us could choose to be an Emmanuel – a sign of God’s presence – for the world around us”.
Albert, president of CYA in his welcome address enumerated the service of CYA since its inception in 1991. He also welcomed the Bishop, fathers, sisters and others, began with the lighting of 25lambs, signifying twenty five years.
In the short felicitation programme, L. David Rongmei, the first president of CYA, while sharing his experience, said catholicity of the Church is manifested when youth of the Parish come together without distinction of tribe or tongue. He urged CYA to work for the glory of God without self interest or any distinction.
The programme was anchored by Mhabeni Yanthan and Ketho Angelus, invocation prayer by Wilfred Humtsoe, welcome address by Adrian Mahung, convener while vote of thanks was proposed by Thungbeni Humtsoe, general secretary. Other highlight of the programme included song by jubilee choir, voices by Stephen Ngullie and Romet.
