Shillong Archdiocese honours catechists during jubilee
(November 07, 2009) Shillong archdiocese on November 5 honoured some 1,000 lay leaders
as part of its weeklong platinum jubilee programs. The archdiocese decided to honour
the lay leaders to recognize their contribution to the Church. “They are the mainstay
of the Church’s mission in our towns and villages,” says Father John Madur, chancellor
of the archdiocese. The archdiocese honoured on November 6, couples who are celebrating
their golden and silver wedding anniversaries this year. “This is to acknowledge the
family as the most important unit of society and the Church,” Father Madur explained.
The celebrations which began on the first of November are to conclude on the 8th
of November with the Holy Mass. Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, president
of the Northeast Bishops’ Council, will lead a special Mass. Bishops from the region’s
all 15 dioceses and hundreds of priests from the region will concelebrate. The programs
will end with the annual Eucharistic procession, a major event in Shillong attended
by people of all religions. Salesian superior general Father Pascual Chavez Villanueva
will join the concluding program. According to Father Madur, the Catholic Church
has grown and spread all over north-eastern region during the past 75 years. The Church’s
interventions in religious and social spheres have taken different shapes according
to situations and new needs, he added. The Catholic Mission in north eastern India
was made a diocese on July 9, 1934 with Shillong as its centre.