SHILLONG, March 17NNN: Amidst the thrill and excitement of the election of the new Pope in the Catholic Church, the Catholic community of Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya had two more reasons to celebrate as well, the centenary of the coming of the faith in Ri-Bhoi and the ordination to priesthood of Fr. Gabriel Jalong SDB. The double celebration of the centenary and the priestly ordination was held at the Assumption Parish, Nongpoh on March 17.
Archbishop Dominic Jala of Shillong was the main celebrant at the altar.
In his sermon, he narrated the spread of evangelization in the remotest corners of the district. He said that the hard work and dedication of the early missionary has borne good fruits in the last 100 years. “The challenges that the early missionaries had to endure, during their visits to the Christians in the remotest places of the Ri-Bhoi district, a place infected by sicknesses and wild animals, were worth mentioning. The missionaries had so much zeal in them to spread the message of Christ,” he said. The Archbishop also mentioned the contribution of the Church in the fields of education and social services in the district.
During the Holy Mass, there was the ordination of Fr. Gabriel Jalong. He is the eldest of three siblings. Fr. Gabriel joined the aspirants of Bosco Mount, Tura after the completion of his matriculation from Little Flower Secondary School, Mawbri. He made his first profession as a member of the international congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco on 24th May, 2000. He completed his philosophical studies from Yercaud, Tamil Nadu in 2002, his Bachelor Degree in 2006 and his B.Ed from Don Bosco College of Teacher’s Education, Tura in 2009. His studied theology at Sacred Heart Theological College, Mawlai. He has chosen to: “Act justly, Love tenderly, Walk humbly with God” as his guiding motto.
The large gathering that gathered to witness the double celebration was the outcome of the evangelization that the early missionaries undertook in spreading the good news of salvation. Among the early converts to Christianity was a living legend, Rev Fr. Sylvanus Sngi Lyngdoh, a 94 year old Salesian Priest who was also present for the celebration. Fr. Sngi said that he is extremely happy to be alive to see the 100 years celebration of the coming of the faith to the district.
Those present for the celebration of the centenary were Archbishop of Guwahati Archdiocese Rev. John Moolachira, the Archbishop Emeritus of Guwahati Rev. Thomas Menamparampil SDB, the Bishop of Miao Diocese of Arunachal Pradesh Rev. George Palliparambil SDB, the Vicar General of Diphu Diocese Fr. John Timung, the Provincial of Don Bosco, Silchar Province Fr. George Maliekal SDB, a large number of priests, sisters and religious. Member of Parliament Vincent Pala, was also present for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ri-bhoi-catholic-church-celebrates-100-years-of-existence/
