Catholic Leaders ‘spiritual renewal cum retreat’ in Lozaphuhu

Five-day long ‘spiritual renewal cum retreat’ was held for the Catholic Leaders of St. Mary’s Parish, Lozaphuhu from August 21 to 25 with Secretary, Commission for Education, Diocese of Kohima Reverend Fr. George Rino as the resource person.

The highlights of the retreat included six talks on effective church leaders, holy mass, Eucharistic adoration, confession, holy rosary, family prayer and movies on the lives of saints.

During the retreat, the resource person highlighted on the meaning of the year of faith by drawing attention to the leaders and encouraged them to increase their faith a “little more”.

Reverend Fr. George said that outwardly the leaders might say that everything was okay but when they see themselves through the eyes of God, they would know their “real colour” and “real self”.

He then said that it was time to introspect oneself from “God’s mirror” to see if any “black spots” was to be found and see there one stand.

The moment was a “deep experience” for the participants to encounter Jesus personally and thus enable them to carry forward the missionary mandate to bear witness to Jesus as well as to serve those in need.

The leaders were also blessed by the visits of most Reverend Dr. James Thoppil DD Bishop of Kohima along with Reverend Fr. George the Diocese Finance Administrator, Reverend Fr. Jose Sebastian the Diocese construction in-charge and Reverend Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, secretary to Bishop.

On the last day of the retreat eight couples were also given a special instruction and prepare them for their marriage rectification.

Some among them were newly received into the Catholic faith. The Catholic community warmly received them with great joy.

Their marriage was rectified by the resource person Reverend Fr. George Rino during the Holy Eucharistic celebration in the presence of the community.

At the concluding ceremony Anthony Sukhuveyi Tetsi-o the catechist of St. Francis Church, Lanizo thanked the resource person on behalf of the leaders for leading them to experience God personally and enabling them to realize what they ought to do as the church leaders. He also expressed a word of gratitude to the Parish priest and Assistant priest for organizing the retreat.

The Leaders who attended the retreat were from Lozaphuhu, Lanizo, and Phek Town; altogether 33 leaders participated in the retreat.

It may be mentioned that the retreat was organized as part of the yearlong celebration of the year of faith in the parish along with the rest of catholic faithful in the diocese of Kohima and to the catholic world at large.