News & Events
Better Youth for a Better Church and Society – North East Regional Pastoral Conference concludes
The annual Regional Pastoral Conference of North East India concluded with a resolution to better care for the youth of the region to make a better Church and Society on 1 September at Don Bosco Institute, Kharguli, Guwahati. The three-day event, which saw the participation of all the Bishops, Priests, Women Religious and around 150 youth and lay delegates from the 15 dioceses of the seven states of North East India, dwelled on the theme “Responsible Youth Leaders for a Better Church and Society” in the context of the challenges the youth face today and its implications to Society. Msgr. Patrick Saw Zay Han, First Secretary to the Apostolic Nunciature in India, who represented the Apostolic Nuncio at the conference witnessed the three-day proceedings appreciated the theme of the event that is in the proximate context with Christus Vivit, the latest Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis to the young people of the world. He also wished proper measures to implement the suggestions proposed by the conference to generate better leadership to make a better Church and Society. The conference highlighted the challenges that are affecting the youth in North East India and listed social media addiction, crisis of faith, lack of positive relationship in the family, unemployment, early marriage as major concerns that needed immediate attention. Archbishop Dominic Jala sdb, the President of the North East Regional Bishops’ Council, inaugurating the Conference called for an attitude of open-mindedness and a spirit of acceptance among those engaged in Youth ministry. “Youth ministry should not be limited to familiar space but go to popular space where young people already are”, he said. Delivering the opening address Fr. Jerry Thomas sdb said to make a better Church and Society we need a large group of young people who cannot be manipulated but stand firmly on the side of good. Mr. Becare Me o Nongtdu, the North East Regional Youth President called on those engaged in youth ministry to take the youth seriously and to trust them untiringly to tap their immense creative potency. Fr. Kuriakose Poovathumkudy, Rector, Oriens Theological College, Shillong, Mr. Joseph Lalchuana IPS (Rtd), Jeremei Krong (Miao), Vincent Tiru (Tezpur), Ferosita Basumatary (Bongaigaon) Steffy A. Sangma (Tura), Thaimei Samson (Imphal) Fr. Jon Barman msfs, Rilinta Lyngdoh (Shillong), Ronica Devi (Guwahati), Pinky Sarkar ( DBI, Guwahati), Nguangtola Yimchunger Victoria (Kohima) Deepak Peter Gabriel IRPS, Chief Personnel Officer, NE Frontier Railway, Dorothy Jasokie (Kohima) and Albert Ekka (Guwahati) are the other speakers at the conference. The Regional Pastoral Conference 2019 concluded with the election of new office-bearers of North East India Regional Catholic...
read moreNational Youth Day with a Musical on Job by Dropouts in Arunachal Pradesh
The National Youth Day was marked with a musical on the Biblical character Job by school dropout youth in Miao Diocese of Arunachal Pradesh at Light of the World School Hall in Miao on 11 August 2019. Around 70 dropouts from the last villages of Tirap, Longding and Changlang districts, bordering Myanmar, came together for a four-day practice to stage a musical on Job, one of the famous characters of the Bible. Gracing the occasion Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao Diocese expressed great satisfaction over the fact that more than 50% of the participants have signed up for regular schooling from the next academic year. “It is a beautiful coincidence that this musical is staged on the National Youth Day. Your performance today is a testimony that one does not become a dropout till he or she gives up in life. Your story is an inspiration to the youth in the last villages of your districts” said Bishop George. Drawing a parallel from the story of Job who refused to give up in the face of discouragement, he said to the youth that to be victorious one must stand up and not drop out. Speaking at the end of the Musical, Chief Guest Mr. Somlung Mossang, Hon’ble MLA of Bordumsa-Diyun Constituency, congratulated the youth for staging a delightful musical within a few days of practice. “You have proved nothing is impossible. Many of the dropouts, including the likes of Bill Gates, have gone on to become great. Your performance today is encouraging signs that our youth have the talents to leave their mark behind”, he said. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Miao sub-division Mr. Tage Rumi too spoke on the occasion highlighting the importance of using the youthfulness to bring positive changes to the society. The musical event was trained by a team called Upper Room based in Goa. There were animation programmes for youth, singing and drawing competitions, and tree plantations held across the Diocese to mark the National Youth Day, an initiative of the Youth Commission of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in...
read moreKrick and Bourry Remembered with a Quiz
Servants of Krick and Bourry were remembered with a Quiz competition on them on their death anniversary on 2 August at Light of the World School, Miao French Missionaries Krick and Bourry were killed in Somme village on their way to Tibet on August 2, 1854. The Diocese of Miao fondly remembers these two martyrs for sowing the seed of Christianity 150 years ago. Like in the previous years a Quiz event was organized to honour them at the Diocesan school in Miao. Most Rev. George Pallippramibil sdb, Bishop of Miao Diocese, inaugurated the Quiz event also gave away trophy and certificates to the winners. Speaking on the occasion, Bishop George reminded everyone of the importance of the day. “August 2 is an important day for many reasons. Today is the day when St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata visited Borduria village of Tirap District. With Krick and Bourry and the visit of the saint to Arunachal Pradesh, this day is truly a day of blessing”, Bishop George said. Auxiliary Bishop of Miao Dioese, Most Rev. Dennis Panipitchai sdb, who Episcopal Ordination Anniversary too fell on the same day was there to encourage the participants of 10 schools from east Arunachal Pradesh. Light of the World School, Miao, Christ the King School, Khonsa, Kirck and Bourry Memorial School, Tezu were the other winners. The participants from St. Savio School, Kanubari emerged winners in both Junior and Senior categories. Quiz Master Rev. John sdb encouraged the participants with flute playing skills before the prize...
read moreSCC Coordinators of NE Meet at Miao
The Small Christian Communities (SCC) coordinators of Dibrugarh, Itanagar, Miao and Tezpur met at Miao to evaluate their progress as part of their annual meeting 11 and 12 June 2019. Rev. Fr. Hippoletus, the SCC Commission Secretary of North East region led the meeting with a short prayer at Christ the Light Minor Seminary Hall at Miao and Rev. Sr. Mary Sarkar the Miao Diocesan SCC Secretary welcomed the delegates from the four Dioceses. Delivering the Keynote address on the first day of the two day event, Rev. Fr. Joy Manickathan, the Chancellor of Miao Diocese, said, “The SCC are the tiny pillars of the mighty Catholic Church.” The 60 delegates from the four dioceses met in groups and evaluated the status and progress of the SCC in the NE in general and these four Dioceses in particular. Most Rev. Albert Hemrom, the Coadjutor Bishop of Dibrugarh Diocese, officiated at the concluding day mass and reminded the great scope SCC has in strengthening the faith of the people and bring people, especially the the men and the youth, back to the...
read moreArunachal Bishop joins spiritual leaders to discuss Environment Protection
Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao Diocese, Arunachal Pradesh joined renowned spiritual leaders from different religions to discuss on environment protection for peace and harmony on World Environment Day at NSCI Dome, Worli, Mumbai. Organised by the Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti, headed by the leader of the Jains, Acharya Lokesh, the World Environment Day event brought together for the first time spiritual leaders of different religions in India on a single platform to discuss environment protection as a tool to promote peace and harmony among the people. Thousands of people from Mumbai and other places filled the venue to listen to the spiritual leaders speak on World Environment Day. Speaking on the experience of attending the event, Bishop George said that the event had some of the well known spiritual leaders from India, sharing practical tips on environment protection. “It was a great feeling to share the dais with religious leaders of other religions in the name of environment and it was enthusing and energizing to listen to their practical wisdom”, said the prelate from the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh. Acharaya Lokesh, Sadhguru, Swami Ramdev and BK Shivani were some of the prominent spiritual leaders present for the event. The first of its kind event concluded with thousands of people taking pledge to save the earth, conserve water and to save natural resources for the future...
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