Bishop James Thoppil joins priests and first holy communicants during the golden jubilee celebration at Mary Help of Christians Parish in Jakhama on April 21.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 21
Mary Help of Christians Parish in Jakhama marked its golden jubilee with a solemn Eucharist themed 'My soul magnifies the Lord! My spirit rejoices in God my savior' (Luke 1:46) on April 20 in Kohima.
During the service, Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kohima in Nagaland, underscored the importance of gratitude, repentance, and renewal.
Drawing from passages in Leviticus 25:8-18, Ephesians 3:14-21, and Luke 1:46-57, he urged the faithful to honor the pioneers' steadfast faith, which formed the bedrock of the Catholic community in their parish.
Thoppil expressed gratitude to the Jesuit Society and the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel for their invaluable contributions.
He underscored the importance of reflecting on the past with gratitude, living the present with fervor, and embracing the future with hope, emulating sentiments expressed by Pope Francis. Emphasizing the need to uphold Catholic principles and values, Thoppil called upon the faithful to lead lives characterized by service, sacrifice, and detachment from worldly pursuits.
He urged believers to leave behind a lasting legacy by authentically living out their faith while reflecting the teachings of St. Paul to understand the depth of Christ's love and be filled with the fullness of God.
Rev. Fr. Melvil Pereira SJ, the Regional Superior of Kohima Jesuits, recounted the parish's humble beginnings in 1959 and its remarkable growth since then. Paying tribute to the pioneers who embraced the Catholic faith, he highlighted the establishment of Loyola School in 1974 at Jakhama as a pivotal moment in the parish's development.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the Jesuits, Fr. Pereira commended the parishioners for their dedication, which had led to the establishment of two additional parishes and several educational institutions. Encouraging the community to look to the future with hope, he emphasized the importance of spreading the values of Jesus Christ through both words and actions.
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Patton SJ, the parish priest, highlighted the genesis of the parish and its impressive growth. He expressed gratitude for the historic moment when their parish was officially established under the guidance of Fr. Stany Coelho SJ.
Today, with 3,541 members and a significant number of clergy, he affirmed their celebration, resilience, unity, and love defining their community while thanking pioneers and parishioners past and present.
Looking ahead, he reminded the need to embrace the future with hearts full of gratitude and love, reflecting the words of Mother Mary in the Magnificat. About 50 priests, 55 nuns, 51 confirmands, 62 first holy communicants, and over 2,500 faithful attended the jubilee.
