Dimapur, October 9 (MExN): The jubilarians of the Salesian Province of Dimapur were felicitated at Salesian College, Dimapur, on October 8 with almost 200 invitees.
Golden Jubilarian Fr. Scaria Nedumala, former Vice provincial and Provincial of the province of Dimapur, presided over the Eucharist, joined by the silver Jubilarians of Priestly ordinations - Fr. Savarimuthu Arokiasamy, Fr. Karippai Jose, Fr. Kindo Rawel Joseph, Fr. Thottathimyalil Francis, Fr. Lakra Bimal, Chalangattucherry Mathew and the silver jubilarians of the professions viz., Fr. Ekka Hilarius and Fr. Peedikayil Francis, informed a press note issued by Tarcisius Toppo, Bosco Communications Dimapur.
It stated that Fr. Scaria in his introduction invited the more than 60 priests and 200 faithful, consisting of Brothers, Sisters, invitees, relatives, friends and well-wishers, to thank God for the wonders he has done in the lives and through the lives of the jubilarians. Present for the celebration were also Fr. James Poonthuruthil, Provincial, Fr. Nestor Guria, Vice Provincial and Fr. Jose Palely, Economer.
Fr. Thottathimyalil Francis, silver jubilarian and currently Director and Principal of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Maram, in his homily, recalled to mind the Biblical understanding of Jubilee. He said that jubilee was a celebration of equilibrium of the society or equality of all citizens.
He further noted that Jubilee is a time of Reminiscence, a time to remember the good things, the pleasant memories and more especially the mercy and providence of God. Therefore it was a time to glorify God, the note said. “However, jubilee is also a time to repent," he reminded. We look back so that we can march forward. He cited the example of the Greek god, Janus, from whom the name of the first month of the year is derived. He said that Janus had two faces – one for looking backward and the other looking forward. Jubilee therefore is an occasion, to introspect, and be ready to be disturbed by the Lord for change and improvement. Only then it becomes a holy year. It is a time to repent of the sinful patterns of life and behaviour to become the person one is called to be.
It further added that Jubilee is also a time to be radiant – to be restored, rejuvenated, renewed and shine forth. A renewed taste for the Divine is the best advertisement for moral reform in the society, he pointed out. One is called to be radiant Priest, Prophet and King. To be priest means to be a continuous mediator between God and humanity, to be Prophet would means to be, watchmen, sentinels, of the consciences of the people so as to be able to address the truth, to be King means to be servant minded, willing to sacrifice everything for the people – willing to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfort.
While acknowledging the sacrifices and hard work of the Jubilarians, Fr. James Poonthuruthil, Provincial, in his speech, said that jubilee is a time of gratitude to God and to the celebrants themselves, during the felicitation programme in honour of the jubilarians.Fr. Scaria, in his thanksgiving speech, said that fidelity to commitment is a joint venture. Commitment is made fruitful and meaningful when there is the partnership between human and the Divine. Fr. Savarimuthu Arokiasamy, speaking on behalf of the Silver Jubilarians of Ordinations, accredited the intervention of God in their lives. Fr. Hilarius Ekka, speaking on behalf of the silver jubilarians of the professions appreciated all, particularly, the people who helped and guided in the initial stages of formation and training.
Golden Jubilarian Fr. Scaria Nedumala, former Vice provincial and Provincial of the province of Dimapur, presided over the Eucharist, joined by the silver Jubilarians of Priestly ordinations - Fr. Savarimuthu Arokiasamy, Fr. Karippai Jose, Fr. Kindo Rawel Joseph, Fr. Thottathimyalil Francis, Fr. Lakra Bimal, Chalangattucherry Mathew and the silver jubilarians of the professions viz., Fr. Ekka Hilarius and Fr. Peedikayil Francis, informed a press note issued by Tarcisius Toppo, Bosco Communications Dimapur.
It stated that Fr. Scaria in his introduction invited the more than 60 priests and 200 faithful, consisting of Brothers, Sisters, invitees, relatives, friends and well-wishers, to thank God for the wonders he has done in the lives and through the lives of the jubilarians. Present for the celebration were also Fr. James Poonthuruthil, Provincial, Fr. Nestor Guria, Vice Provincial and Fr. Jose Palely, Economer.
Fr. Thottathimyalil Francis, silver jubilarian and currently Director and Principal of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Maram, in his homily, recalled to mind the Biblical understanding of Jubilee. He said that jubilee was a celebration of equilibrium of the society or equality of all citizens.
He further noted that Jubilee is a time of Reminiscence, a time to remember the good things, the pleasant memories and more especially the mercy and providence of God. Therefore it was a time to glorify God, the note said. “However, jubilee is also a time to repent," he reminded. We look back so that we can march forward. He cited the example of the Greek god, Janus, from whom the name of the first month of the year is derived. He said that Janus had two faces – one for looking backward and the other looking forward. Jubilee therefore is an occasion, to introspect, and be ready to be disturbed by the Lord for change and improvement. Only then it becomes a holy year. It is a time to repent of the sinful patterns of life and behaviour to become the person one is called to be.
It further added that Jubilee is also a time to be radiant – to be restored, rejuvenated, renewed and shine forth. A renewed taste for the Divine is the best advertisement for moral reform in the society, he pointed out. One is called to be radiant Priest, Prophet and King. To be priest means to be a continuous mediator between God and humanity, to be Prophet would means to be, watchmen, sentinels, of the consciences of the people so as to be able to address the truth, to be King means to be servant minded, willing to sacrifice everything for the people – willing to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfort.
While acknowledging the sacrifices and hard work of the Jubilarians, Fr. James Poonthuruthil, Provincial, in his speech, said that jubilee is a time of gratitude to God and to the celebrants themselves, during the felicitation programme in honour of the jubilarians.Fr. Scaria, in his thanksgiving speech, said that fidelity to commitment is a joint venture. Commitment is made fruitful and meaningful when there is the partnership between human and the Divine. Fr. Savarimuthu Arokiasamy, speaking on behalf of the Silver Jubilarians of Ordinations, accredited the intervention of God in their lives. Fr. Hilarius Ekka, speaking on behalf of the silver jubilarians of the professions appreciated all, particularly, the people who helped and guided in the initial stages of formation and training.
