November, a Historical Event Took Place in the Village of Anatongre
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Editor’s Note... Dear Readers, On the 26th November, a historical event took place in the village of Anatongre. It was the blessing and dedication of newly the constructed Catholic Church. Catholics from all parts of Nagaland, gathered together for the event, to encourage the handful of Catholics who stood all odds to remain faithful to their convictions. What touched the hearts and brought tears into the eyes of all who participated in the momentous event was not the paraphernalia that surrounded the event but the spontaneous regret expressed in a tangible way by the Baptist community, who had in the past fought tooth and nail, obstructing the Catholic Church from entering into the village and establishing her presence. It was a sort of public confession, done in a traditional way. The elders and youngsters, clad in traditional attire, in unison sung a traditional song, with a touch of melancholy and asked God and their catholic brethren’s forgiveness for all the harm inflicted in the past. As I listened to the words of the songs, I forgot everything and I was overtaken by emotion, which was best expressed through my soaked eyes. I am sure, everyone who understood it’s meaning has felt the same. It is an amazing gesture from the part of the Baptist brethren. I do not know what prompted them to come forward and express in public the remorse of their past actions but one thing, I am convinced, there was the intervention of God. No matter, who we are, we all belong to a God who is loving and we are brothers and sisters to each other. Months of November and December are the time of tribal Cultural festivals. Such cultural festivals are proceeded by the festival of all festivals, the Christmas. The whole world is gearing up to celebrate the most important event in the history of the world. The towns and villages are getting illumined, shops are filled with gifts and decorations, new Christmas songs are all out, people from the hills and remote villages are travelling down to the plains to purchase Christmas gift and the shop keepers are all extraordinarily courteous. All these are on account of this great festival called Christmas. Today Christmas mean different things to different people. For shop keepers, it’s a time to make money, for people who are working away from the families, it’s the time of reunion and so on. But for us, Catholics it is the celebration of God’s love towards each one of us, because out of his love, he opted to send his only Son with gifts of peace, love and Joy. These are gratuitous gift from God. Pope Pius VI once said, “we consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice” Unfortunately, to a large extent, these gifts have eluded the world. There is violence, unforgiveness, intolerance in the world. We can be beacons of these gifts, only when we recognize God’s generosity. Simple acts of unselfishness and thoughtfulness are at the heart of Christmas. Roy L Smith once said, “He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree”. In the midst of external preparation, let’s remind ourselves that our hearts have to become mangers for Jesus so that he can dwell in us. I wish all the readers, a joy- filled Christmas and prosperous New Year 2014. 12345678 12345678 12345678 12345678 12345678 123456781 BISHOP’S PROGRAMME EDITOR DECEMBER 2013 - FEBRUARY 2014 Fr. Thomas Toretkiu December 2013 01 Kohima Ph: 09436216599 02 Longsa – Blessing of the Foundation for the new school 03-07 Kohima 08 GSS & Chavara Home, Dimapur EDITORIAL BOARD 09-13 Chennai Fr. Sojan Puthankudy 14 Kohima, Christmas Program organized Fr. Loyola Antony by CAN Sr. Kaisa Rosalind CMC 15 Longsa Jubilee Mr. Tosovi Philip Khale 16-17 Kohima 18-19 Priests’ Meeting / Diocesan Pastoral Plan and other meetings 20 Dimapur; Governing Board Meeting of MANAGEMENT STAFF DAN, HRHC Catholic Publication Centre 21 Dimapur - Jubilee – Burma Camp 22 Kidima: Jubilee CYA (CPC) 23 Zunheboto 24 Dimapur 25 Kohima PUBLISHER 27 Khonoma Diocese of Kohima 28-31 Priestly Ordination of Dea. Emmanuel & Lotha Youth Convention January 2014 01-03 Kohima 04-05 Khonoma: Angami Catholic Women LAYOUT & DESIGN Conference Flora Kent 06-08 Kohima 09-11 Tunjoy Parish – Poumai Conference & Jubilee SHARING 12 Holy Cross, Dimapur – Sumi Catholic Diocese of Kohima Association Convention 13-17 Dimapur / Kohima Bishop’s House 18-20 Pughoboto – Silver Jubilee Post Box No. 519 21-31 Kottayam - Centenary celebration of KOHIMA - 797 001 Bl. Mathew Makil Nagaland - India February 2014 01-17 Palai - CBCI & CCBI Meetings email: [email protected] 20-21 Kohima www.kohimadiocese.org 22 Governing Body Meeting, Jalukie College The Sharing is published bi-monthly 27 Consulters Meeting and Priests by the Diocese of Kohima. All the Recollection news, articles, questions, reader- 28 Diocesan Pastoral Council – Mt. Tabor reactions etc are to be addressed to the editor. Your articles, news Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil item could be submitted through Bishop of Kohima, Nagaland CD, pendrive and mail attachment. Please include your name and mail- (for Private Circulation only) 12345678 12345678 ing address. 12345678 12345678 12345678 123456782 12345678 NORTH EAST YOUTH PEACE & CULTURAL the solemn Eucharistic celebration and many priests FESTIVAL 2013 concelebrated with him. Bishop congratulated the novices and their parents for the great sacrifices th The 6 North they have made for God and His people. Mother East Peace Sibia, Provincial Superior welcomed the congrega- & Cultural Festival was tion gathered for the solemn celebration. The pres- held at Holy ence of Sr. Cyrilla SABS the General Councillor added Cross Hr. much joy and happiness to everyone. Sec. School – SABS Provincialate Campus, Dimapur from 20th – 23rd September 2013. In the Valedictory function Bishop James Thoppil, ‘YOUTH FEST’ AT SALESIAN COLLEGE, Bishop of Nagaland, Hushili Sema IAS and many DIMAPUR other VIPs and dignitaries were present to witness the function. His Lordship James Thoppil stated that ‘Peace was the parting gift to the world by Christ and he encouraged every youth to be agent of peace in the society.’ Smt Hushili Sema, DC of Dimapur quoted the Bible saying ‘blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God’ and exhorted every youth to do the same. There were around 800 participants from different parts of As part of Salesian College’s Sunday ministry, the Northeast attended for the program. The peace ‘Youth Fest’ was held on 29th September, 2013, with award was conferred to Mr. Lovitho Sema. the theme ‘Youth and faith.’ Youth from various - Correspondent hostels and villages in and around Dimapur marked PARENTS DAY AT AHSS the red letter day. The day’s celebration began with the youth gathering for prayer and the Holy mass Assisi Higher Secondary presided over by Rev. Fr. Nestor Guria, provincial of School Dimapur (Evening the Salesian Province of Dimapur. Rev. Fr. Thomas, Section) celebrated its Parish Priest of Holy Cross Dimapur was chief guest. Parents’ Day at Assisi Hall, Prizes for the Bible skit and Bosco sing-out Dimapur on 28th September competitions that was conducted on August 25 were 2013. Speaking as the given away by Fr. (Dr.) Joseph Cherian, Rev. Fr. chief guest Dr. Kadambari Thomas and Fr. Christudoss. Bhagat, IAS, SDO (C) Dimapur said that she was - Brothers from Salesian College honoured to celebrate the day with the Management, Staff and Students of Assisi Higher Secondary School, INAUGURATION OF GOLDEN JUBILEE Dimapur. Rev Sr. Milly Fernandes, Provincial Superior of Ursuline Franciscan Sisters of Northeast gave The Yearlong celebration of away the prizes to the children who excelled in the Golden Jubilee of Little various competitions held earlier. Flower School, Kohima was - Sr. Benny Fernandes kick started on 1st Oct. 2013 with the blessing by His Lordship, Bishop James and SABS VESTITION Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire, Novices Angela Magh, Parliamentary Secretary for Justice & Law, Land Francy Tigga, Lucina Rabha, Revenue, Labour & Employment. Mr. Kire inaugurated Genevieive Myamiai made the celebration. During the speech, Kire said, ‘to live their religious profession and is to change and not to change is stagnant and Vestition on 28th September death.’ He further encouraged the girls to excel in their academic performances. 2013 at provincial House, Dimapur. Most Rev. John - Correspondent Thomas Kattrukudiyil, Bishop of Itanagar officiated 12345678 12345678 12345678 12345678 12345678 123456783 MEMORIES OF A MISSION DAY PILGRIM WALK... Hesitant for a few days to write these! ‘May sound kitchen and the little rooms. A good sleep and good boastful,’ I thought! ‘Necessary’ I thought days later, dreams for a few! The children were up to wake the just to thank and to acknowledge! So are these sun and the elders, “the prayerful gathering and a words to share with you, the memories of our two- cup of tea was a good omen for the day. “Let’s hurry day pilgrimage walk from Shamator to Kiphire, the up,” was the call indicating the strong sun that distance of 63 kms. Do you believe in numbers? At awaited all. Soon the kids moved and the others fol- least in Biblical numbers? Take it this time at least. lowed. Phelungre, one of the older Catholic com- The pilgrim group was of 72 members and the date munities of the region, was the destination, just in of journey was 18th Oct., the day of St. Luke, the sight but road too long the road. The tired legs took Evangelist and concluded on Mission Sunday.