Holy Cross Church Dimapur inaugurates ‘Year of Priests’

‘Year of Priests’ observed all over the world since June 19, was inaugurated formally at Holy Cross Church, Dimapur, Sunday. The year long event declared by Pope Benedict XVI was inaugurated in the parish church of the commercial hub of Nagaland, Dimapur, by Bishop of Kohima, Right Reverend Jose Mukala, during the main Sunday Holy Mass amidst score of priests and hundreds of devotees packed in the Church.
Inaugurating the event, the bishop highlighted the life of Saint John Marie Vianney who has been declared as the patron of all the priests in the world. The Main Celebrant, the Bishop, recalled the theme of the year, ‘Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests’ and exhorted all the priests in Nagaland to take Christ’s faithfulness to the Heavenly Father and his mission as the model for their own priestly vocation and mission.
Reverend Jose Mukala appealing to the people said, “Priests are human beings like you, they need your cooperation, assistance, prayers and love as they are for you, with you and amidst you.”
Other speakers included Parish Priest, Fr. Chacko who welcomed all on the occasion, Rector of Good Shepherd Seminary, Fr. Solomon Vizo who explained the meaning and purpose of ‘Year of Priests’, and a Government Servant and a Lay Representative, Rudolf Mao delivered words of felicitation to priests.
Proposing vote of thanks to the congregation and to priests the Parish Priest pointed out that Holy Cross Church was fortunate to have the services of 40 priests serving at different institutions spread across Dimapur.
The event came to an end with final blessing and a solemn prayer for priests said by Bishop while the faithful repeated it.