Secular and materialistic ideologies at its height
Dimapur, Dec.16: Bishop of Kohima, Rev. Dr. James Thoppil said people are trying to build up a life without God; a life based on earthly values and pleasures and added that secular and materialistic ideologies are at its height.
Addressing the congregation as chief celebrant, at the silver jubilee of St. Joseph Church, 4thNAP BnThizama, under the theme “Worship Him Continually,” on December 16, Bishop challenged all to examine one’s fidelity to Christ, Gospel and the tradition set by the pioneers. He said the gospel or Christianity itself will not work any miracles in our live or change our life, unless we live it. He called upon all to live the present life with deep commitment and mend old sinful ways and start life anew.
Bishop said jubilee is the occasion to look to the past with gratitude, to live the present with passion and to look to future with hope.
He expressed gratitude to God who inspires and guides the pioneers of the community to venture out to live the universality of the Catholic Church by gathering together Catholics irrespective of their tribal affiliation and with courage set to live the Catholic faith despite strong individual and institutional opposition and antagonism against it, trusting in God who inspires and called them. He said the history of the Church in Thizama finds that Catholic faith united the members of different tribes, cementing and uniting factor and not a differentiating and divisive factor. He also said there was institutional opposition to Catholic faith saying that there must be only one church in the Battalion campus, but the courage and conviction of the Catholic could not deter them from building a Church for themselves and the timely help from Christ King Parish members from Kohima village gave them courage and strength to go ahead with their plan to build the Church.
While expressing gratitude to the pioneers, Bishop further said they were celebrating the occasion because of the courage and commitment to accept and live the Catholic faith.
The programme was compered by Eloni Lydia, Regina and Benjamin while Khrieketoulie Christopher proposed vote thanks. Thezietuo Timothy, Zapubatou Xavier and jubilee choir presented songs
Fr. Salew Peter SDB, Parish Priest, Christ King Parish, Kohima unveiled the Jubilee monolith. Priests from Kohima concelebrated the Holy Eucharist with Bishop during which 15 members received the first Holy Communion and 11 faithful received the Sacrament of the confirmation.
