Third All Nagaland Catechists Convention Held

KOHIMA, Nagaland, Jan. 25, 2010, 16.00 Hrs (R. R. Graviour Augustine / CBCI News):

The Third All Nagaland Catechists Convention was held at Mount Tabour Retreat House, Kohima, Nagaland, from 12 - 14 January 2010. Over hundred catechists serving in the hilly villages of the Diocese of Kohima took part in it.

Inaugurating the event, the Chief guest and the Vicar General of the Diocese, Fr. Carolus Neisahlou exhorted the catechists to continue the great work they are doing in their own respective villages despite difficulties. He appealed to them that they should equip themselves by reading the literatures that are made available by the Church.

To the hundred and fourteen catechists who took part in the Episcopal high mass, the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Kohima, Most Rev. Dominic Lumon said, “Catechists are frontline missionaries and the Church in Northeast India owes much to them for its growth.”

The Catechists Convention is one of the initiatives of the Diocese of Kohima to recognize, appreciate and thank all the services of the catechists to the Church. It is also the time to update and provide training to those who collaborate and assist the Parish Priests very closely in their own respective parishes.

Given the situation of the Catholic Church in Nagaland where still the majority of missionaries hail from outside Nagaland, the catechists’ services to the Church in the State in the words of the Church is indispensable and their role is ‘irreplaceable’.

The catechists’ convention was started at the initiative of the Bishop Emeritus Jose Mukala of the Diocese of Kohima in 2004. Since then the Diocese has been organizing catechists’ convention at regular intervals bringing together the catechists serving at towns and villages. The Diocesan Catechetical Commission under the Pastoral Centre has been organizing the conventions held so far. Sources point out that there are about hundred and forty catechists serving at almost every place where there is community.

This triennial convention will have a variety of programmes including Penitential Service, Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Input Sessions, Group Sharing, Cultural Programme General Body Meeting etc. The theme the entire three days is what the greatest missionary St. Paul said in his letter to the Philippians said: “That your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight” (Phil 1:9).