Rev Dr James Thoppil with others during golden jubilee celebration of Mary Help of Christians Church, Mezoma on December 27.
Kohima, December 28 (MExN): Mary Help of Christians Church, Mezoma, celebrated its Golden Jubilee with gratitude, prayer, and solemnity on December 27, coinciding with the Feast of the Holy Family and the closing of the Jubilee Year 2025 in the local Churches.
The historic celebration marked 50 years of faith journey of the Mezoma Catholic community, recalling the sacrifices, perseverance, and strong faith of the pioneers, priests, religious, and lay leaders who laid the foundation of the parish.
The Jubilee was celebrated under the biblical theme, “Give thanks to the Lord” (Isaiah 12:4), highlighting thanksgiving, repentance, renewal, and re-dedication.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima.
In his homily, the Bishop congratulated the Mezoma Catholic community for completing fifty years of committed Christian life and thanked God for the abundant blessings received by the community over the decades.
Reflecting on the Feast of the Holy Family, Bishop Thoppil emphasized the importance of family as the “domestic Church,” where faith is nurtured through prayer, forgiveness, love, and mutual respect.
Drawing from the day’s readings, he urged families to “put on compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and above all love,” echoing St Paul’s exhortation to the Colossians.
Referring to the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt, the Bishop reminded the faithful that every family faces its own challenges and uncertainties, but faith in God’s presence sustains and strengthens them. True holiness in family life, he said, does not mean the absence of problems, but the grace to face every challenge with God at the centre.
Highlighting present-day challenges to family life, Bishop Thoppil noted the growing pressures of modern living, excessive screen time, and the decline of family prayer and meaningful communication. He called upon families to rediscover the beauty of praying together, sharing meals, forgiving one another, and creating homes that radiate peace and faith.
The Bishop also paid rich tribute to the pioneers of the Mezoma Catholic community, acknowledging their courage, determination, and unwavering faith, which made the Golden Jubilee celebration possible. He encouraged the present generation to carry forward their legacy with greater fervor by living authentic Christian lives and becoming visible witnesses of the Gospel in society.
As part of the Jubilee celebrations, the Golden Jubilee souvenir was formally released, and the Jubilee Memorial was inaugurated by the Bishop.
Vote of thanks was proposed by Neivikuolie Nicholas while the Jubilee Feast prayer was led by Rev Fr Dr George Pezalhoukho Rino.
