Executive Members of NCYM along with newly inducted office bearers with the Bishop of Kohima Diocese and other priests at St Xavier's Church, Zhavame on April 25.
ZHAVAME, April 25 (MExN): The three-day 9th Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement (NCYM) Convention concluded on April 25 with a solemn mass with Most Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as the main celebrant.
In his homily, he told the congregation that “after a convention of this sort, and after having spent such an enormous amount of energy and money, we should go back home energized and enthused by our celebration of faith.”
“It should not turn out to be a mere social gathering, but a school of Christian discipleship by community celebration of our faith,” he said. In this sense, he expressed that the theme ‘Loving my faith and living my faith’ chosen for the convention is very pertinent while emphasizing that “unless one loves one ’s faith, one would not live the faith.”
Stating that “life is moving fast and we feel like jumping to join the wagon of change- chasing after what is fashionable, palatable, pleasurable and utilitarian, without assigning much value to Christian principles,” he observed that “we look for easy solution for everything including maladies of life.”
In this regard, he expressed that “we are ready to give up our faith just for momentary comfort and consolation.” In all these, he said, “we are abandoning the time tested and lived faith of the Church. Further stating that if we look through the Bible, Jesus is known by many titles or names given by others.
However, the title of “The Good Shepherd” is a name Jesus used for himself, the Bishop said and added that today, good shepherds are hard to find. He explained that “a good shepherd has to recognize the value of the sheep, has to be willing to take risks to protect the sheep and has to care.” Towards this end, he impressed upon the congregation that “The best we could do, as sheep to our Shepherd, is to help his mission in the world."
Later in the felicitation programme, the Bishop told the young people that “there is a possibility within Nagaland” while pointing to Catholic institutions like St Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Jakhama, Universities in Dimapur that will bring out diversity of educational pursuits and other plans to start more colleges in the near future.
“We only need hard work and determination. And if all of you make this theme a part of your life, then I am sure there is hope for Nagaland and can make changes by infusing Christian values into the society,” he added. NCYM Director, Fr Philip Magh also spoke during the felicitation programme besides Thomas Magh, Secretary General of Catholic Association of Nagaland and Rita Kikon, President of Nagaland Catholic Women Association. The outgoing and the newly inducted president of NCYM, also delivered short speeches.
Highlights of the programme included folk song by CYA St Xavier’s Church, Zhavame, special number by NCYM Choir and vote of thanks by Khamkiumong L John, General Secretary, NCYM while Medolenuo Ambrocia was the host for the event.
