‘St. Joseph Children Home’ gets a new Church

A new Church of St. Joseph’s Children Home, United North Block, Burma Camp, Dimapur was inaugurated and blessed on Saturday in the presence of many priests, sisters, and large gathering of people.
The new Church building was inaugurated by the chief guest, Society Director, I.C.P.S Kheheto Sema and blessed by Most. Reverend Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima.
Addressing the gathering, Kheheto said Church has an important place in every village as they (villagers) come to Church to obtain serenity from Christ which the world cannot give.
Kheheto also expressed his appreciation and admiration for the Priests and Sisters for their dedicated service to the people and thanked and congratulated Director of St. Joseph children, Reverend Fr. O. C Abraham for his dedicated services for the poor and the orphans. He said that the Government should have come forward and assisted institutions of this type in a bigger way. He also cautioned the audience about human trafficking, and requested all to be careful when people take away children with false promises of free and better education to elsewhere. 
In his speech, Most Reverend Dr. James Thoppil, the bishop of Kohima praised Reverend Fr. O.C. Abraham and his team, particularly Fr. Richard Fernandas and the Sisters of the Sacred Heart for their dedicated service.  
In his homily, Most Reverend Dr. James exhorted each one to build themselves as living temples, the real church saying that the material Church is only the external expression of the spiritual church.
“ Nagaland is a land of Churches and we must take pride not in the fact that we have the Church building as the most important building in every village, but by the fact that we live as true members of the Church, as true Christ-bearers.” said Most Reverend Dr. James.
 The bishop also blessed the new tabernacle, where the Eucharist (Blessed Sacrament) will be preserved and urged everyone to visit the Church and spend few moments to experience the peace and joy that only God can give in the presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
During the inaugural function, the appointment for Annie, the first inmate, as teacher was handed over by the chief guest. Reverend Fr. Richards Fernandas proposed vote thanks to everyone present and especially to those who helped in one way or other to make the event a grand success.
A prayer dance by the girls of St. Joseph Home, entrance dance by the Rongmei community, and offertory dance by the Advasi community were the other highlights of the programme.