HT Bureau
DIPHU, May 6: The golden jubilee celebration of Diphu Catholic Parish got underway at the Cathedral of the Risen Lord with colour and enthusiasm here on Friday to commemorate the 50-year journey of Diphu Catholic Parish with the theme ‘Thy Kingdom Come’.
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It is a three-day celebration, which will conclude on Sunday. The celebration is organised by Diphu Parish Council, Diphu; Diphu Parish Katholic Nimarli Asong; Diphu Parish Karbi Katholic Sarmar Asong (DPKKSA) and Catholic Youth Association (CYA).
The celebration began with the releasing of balloons by Robertson Teron and releasing of doves by Fr. Zacharias Mundekathara and Vicar General of Diphu Diocese, Fr. John Timung, which was followed by a celebration of Holy Mass.
It was on January 25, 1914 when Langtuk Hanse and other five persons of Rong Marjong village (now in West Karbi Anglong) were the first Catholics from among the Karbis. They were baptised by Fr. Chrisostomus Lefef Mayr at a place Umterkhang in Khasi hills of Meghalaya. After that in 1967, a new parish was set-up at Sojong near Dongkamukam in West Karbi Anglong and from there the Parish Priest Fr. John Marriae took a keen interest to set up a Parish in Diphu.
He visited Diphu from Sojong frequently and got a plot of land to start a school. The Diphu Don Bosco School was set up on March 4, 1969, and two years after the setting up of the school, in 1971 the Diphu Parish was set up. On July 30, 1971, Fr. Jon Mariae came from Sojong to settle at the new Diphu Parish.
Attending as the chief guest in the inaugural session, the executive member (EM), Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Handloom & Textiles etc., Ratan Teron said it was through the education received from Catholic priest that he gained moral discipline and became true to his ways.
“I am one of the former students of Diphu Don Bosco School, now known as Diphu Don Bosco Higher Secondary School. I am one of the fortunate to have studied under the guidance of the Catholic Fathers and Sisters who taught me about good behaviour, sincerity and always being true. I have studied by staying in the hostel and have learnt how to pray and to live in a community.”
“The Fathers and Sisters have shaped my future and I am now in this position now due to their love and affection shown to me. Today I am very much happy to participate in the Golden Jubilee celebration of Diphu Parish, as being one of the former pupils and hosteller of a school under it,” the EM said.
He also said the Diphu Parish with the growing age has also increased its members and wished the Parish to grow from strength to strength in the coming days.
The inaugural candle was lit by the president of the Parish Council and Parish Priest, Fr. Thomas Maripurath followed by Fr. Jon Timung; EM KAAC Teron; former EM KAAC Pradip Singnar and other senior members of the Parish.
The jubilee anthem song was sung by Diphu Parish Karbi Katholic Nimarli Asong. The women of Diphu Parish also presented a prayer dance. The history of Diphu Parish was read out by Fr. John Timung.
Catholic families of Diphu Parish and former leaders of the Parish Council and Fathers and Sisters who have worked in Diphu Parish were felicitated and were presented with mementoes.
The inaugural programme was also attended by the village headman of Rongnihang, Puniram Teron; Mrinoy Teron and Deben Timung (Pilongri Arts).
