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Believers make their way to the new church at Phisami village.[/caption]
Dimapur, May 25 (EMN): The small catholic community of Phisami village has now a church. The newly-constructed church under the patronage of St. James at Phisami was dedicated by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima, on Wednesday, May 24, a press release stated earlier this week.
In his Homily, the bishop was stated to have appreciated the people of Phisasmi for the collaboration, hard work, to build the church of God.
“He asserted that it is easy to build a material structure and it in itself will not give worship to God. It is the Christians who are the real temple, the living temple of the Holy Spirit, who give true worship to God in their heart,” the press release quoted the church leader as having stated.
“Without true spiritual worship, the external worship in the church will not give glory to God instead bring human satisfaction only. Referring to the Acts of the Apostles, he said that the true worship is offered through listening to the teaching of the Apostles, breaking of the bread, prayer and fellowship.”
That is the reason there is the Ambo in the Church from where the teaching of the Apostles in proclaimed; there is the altar where the breaking of the break takes places through the Eucharistic sacrifice; through the teaching of the Apostles and breaking of bread, fellowship is created and prayers are offered. In this way the community worships God in spirit and in truth. At the end of the Holy Eucharist the entire community took part in the Eucharistic process around the village.
Vikato, head GB, cut the ribbon and the memorial stone was unveiled by Rev. Fr. George Parakal, the press release informed. 25 children received Holy Communion, it was informed. Other highlights of the event included presentations to those who helped in building the church, the updates stated.
“Mr. Hoketo Daniel, the first Catholic from the village anchored the program and proposed the vote of thanks. Mr. Daniel while expressing his thanks admitted that ‘it was the spirit of God who led him to embrace the Catholic faith,’” the press release stated.
