News & Events
Fr. Bitto is the 30th Priest of Miao Diocese
Congratulations and God’s Blessings to the newly ordained Priest of Miao Diocese. Ordained today, 17 April 2023, by Bishop George Pallipparambil in in Kerala, Fr. Joseph (Bitto) Kattamkottil becomes the 30th Priest of Miao Diocese. Join us in thanking God for this...
read moreChrism Mass held at Khonsa
Chrism Mass is one of the most solemn and important liturgies of Catholic Calendar, in which the Oils used for the Sacraments are blessed and in which all the priests renew their priestly promises. The Chrism Mass of Miao Diocese this year was celebrated at Christ the King Parish, #Khonsa with a large gathering of priests, women religious and faithful on Thursday, 30 March...
read morePilgrims visit Christ the Light Shrine Miao
Pilgrims from the near by state of Assam and all around Miao Diocese visit Christ the Light Shrine, Miao as part of their effort towards spiritual renewal during this season of Lent. Pilgrims have been visiting the Shrine since the beginning of Lenten Season this year. More than 500 pilgrims have already visited the Shrine from Domduma, Roing, Diyun and Tezu parishes. More pilgrims will be making their pilgrimage to the Shrine as we get closer to the Holy...
read moreWomen Empowerment Summit highlights role of women in Northeast India
Guwahati, 20 March 2023: The Regional Women Commission of Northeast India organized a two-day Women Empowerment Summit to highlight the important roles women play in the society at the Jubilee Memorial Hall, Guwahati on 18 and 19 March 2023. Speaking at the inaugural function, Archbishop of Guwahati and the President of North East India Regional Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC), John Moolachira said, “In Indian society including the Church, women play a secondary role. They are subjugated by father, husband, in-laws in the families and their bosses at the workplace. It is time that we stress on the equal importance of women in the society, family and in the Church.” Addressing the 450 delegates from the fifteen dioceses of Northeast India, the Archbishop said, “Women empowerment basically means treating men and women equally and giving equal freedom to women to develop herself. Such gatherings are an impetus for women to assert their position in the family and to teach the society that women have their rights and they are able to carry out their responsibilities well.” Bishop Dennis Panipitchai, the Chairman for Regional Women Commission of Northeast India delivered the keynote address and declared the Summit open. Highlighting the theme of the Summit ‘Empowering Women Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow’, the Auxiliary Bishop of Miao diocese said, “Women Empowerment means to increase and improve women’s social, economic, political and legal strength. Empowering women will ensure that her entire family receives better healthcare, nutrition, access to education, employment, economic justice and sustainability. The Northeast Region with all its uniqueness should lead and be the harbinger of the change that our country and the world is need of.” Held at the beautiful auditorium of North East Diocesan Social Services Society, the event included input sessions, animation and panel discussion on topics pertinent to women and daily challenges and discrimination they face in the society. Wishing women on Women’s Day alone is not going to empower women, said Ruth Chihanphi Luiram, Anti Human Trafficking Programme coordinator of Caritas India. “Northeast India Region has almost become synonymous to human trafficking. Innocent girls and women, due to lack of education, are lured with job-offer promises and are sold as cattle and many once they leave home cannot return. Education is key to empowerment of women and it is the fuel that makes our wheels move to create an empowered society”. The other speakers included Sister Lidwin Fernandes, National Secretary for the Women Commission of Conference of Catholic Bishops in India, who spoke on the achievement of women today and Sister Archana FCC, Women Commission Coordinator from Imphal Archdiocese, who spoke on the role of women in the Church. Professor Lukose P.J. from Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, spoke on building sustainability for enhancing women empowerment, Sr. Navya FCC National Secretary for the Women Council of Catholic Bishops Conference of India, spoke on caring for the earth for a sustainable planet and Sr. Margert MSMHC, spoke on ways to achieve gender equality in Northeast India The panel discussion helmed by three men, Father Tom Mangattuthazhe, Secretary for Ecumenism of NEIRBC, Father Tony Marshal and Mr. Jonas Lakra, Zonal Manager, Caritas India, also highlighted the need for awareness among men to effect empowerment of women. The practical tips for physical, mental and psychological health of women by Dr....
read moreWhat You Need to Know About Lent
Why is the season called Lent? Lent is the Old English word for spring. In almost all other languages, Lent’s name is a derivative of the Latin term quadragesima or “the forty days.” Is there a biblical basis for abstaining from meat as a sign of repentance? Yes. The book of Daniel states, “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia . . . ‘I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over’” (Dan. 10:1-3). In addition to Ash Wednesday, are any other days during Lent days of fast or abstinence? Yes. All Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence. Also, Good Friday, the day on which Christ was crucified, is day of both fast and abstinence. All days in Lent are appropriate for fasting or abstaining, but canon law does not require it. Such fasting or abstinence is voluntary. Why are Fridays during Lent days of abstinence? Because Jesus died for our sins on Friday, making it an especially appropriate day of mourning our sins by denying ourselves something we enjoy. (By the same token, Sunday—the day on which he rose for our salvation—is an especially appropriate day to rejoice.) Are acts of repentance appropriate on other days during Lent? Yes. The Code of Canon Law states, “All Fridays through the year and the time of Lent are penitential days and time throughout the universal Church” (CIC 1250). Why are acts of repentance appropriate at this time of year? Because it is the time leading up to the commemoration of our Lord’s death for our sins and the commemoration of his resurrection for our salvation. It is thus especially appropriate to mourn the sins for which he died. Humans have an innate psychological need to mourn tragedies, and our sins are tragedies of the greatest sort. What are appropriate activities for ordinary days during Lent? Giving up something we enjoy, engaging in physical or spiritual acts of mercy for others, prayer, fasting, abstinence, going to confession, and other acts expressing repentance in general. Is the custom of giving up something for Lent mandatory? No. However, it is a salutary custom, and parents or guardians may choose to require it, since the spiritual training of their children is their prime responsibility. Why is giving up something for Lent such a salutary custom? By denying ourselves something we enjoy, we discipline our wills so that we are not slaves to our pleasures. Just as over-indulging in the pleasure of eating leads to physical flabbiness, over-indulging in pleasure in general leads to spiritual flabbiness. When the demands of morality require us to refuse something pleasurable (such as sex outside marriage) or endure hardship (such as being scorned for the faith), spiritual flabbiness may well make us...
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