St Dominic Savio Church, Kiphire organised its first two-day Mothers’ Seminar from September 11 to 12 on the theme “Strong Mothers, Strong Homes and Strong Faith,” bringing together mothers of the parish for spiritual renewal, formation and fellowship.
The seminar was animated by Rev Fr Thomas Toretkiu, Associate Priest of Kiusam Town, who served as the main resource person.
In the opening session on ‘Mother Mary and the Rosary’, Fr Toretkiu encouraged mothers to see Mary not as a distant spiritual figure but as a mother who journeys with them through their daily struggles and joys. Describing the Rosary as a “family protection rope” that binds families together in prayer, he urged mothers to begin praying at least one decade of the Rosary each day with their children.
Speaking on ‘Spiritual Warfare in the Home’, he urged mothers to rethink the nature of spiritual battles within families, saying the real enemies were not neighbours or relatives but anger, jealousy, gossip, alcoholism and fear.
He called mothers the “gatekeepers” of their homes, urging them to guard their hearts and households against such evils while fostering an atmosphere of peace and forgiveness.
A session on ‘Mental Health and Well-Being’ highlighted the close connection between a mother’s body, mind and spirit. Fr Toretkiu cautioned mothers against overburdening themselves with endless work and tension without adequate rest.
“When a mother breaks, the family breaks,” he said, emphasising that self-care was not selfish but essential. He also demonstrated simple practical techniques to help mothers manage anger and stress.
The second day focused on ‘Parenting and Child Development’ and ‘Work-Life Balance and Growth’.
Addressing parenting challenges, Fr Toretkiu observed that raising children had become more challenging with the growing influence of mobile technology and changing values. While earlier generations may have grown up with the fear of the cane, he said children today needed “connection before correction.”
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He urged mothers to become a generation that speaks blessings rather than curses over their children and emphasised that children learn not only from what parents say but also from the example they set through their own lives.
In the session on work-life balance, Fr Toretkiu reminded mothers that they were more than workers and described life as having three fields that needed to be tended: God’s field, representing the soul; the Home field, representing the family; and the Work field, representing the workplace.
He said a balanced life required attention to all three without going to extremes.
“God wants mothers to be joyful women, not just tired workers,” he said.
A session on Health, Nutrition and Self-Care highlighted five essential practices for good health, including adequate protein for healing, sufficient water for hydration, daily skin checks, regular exercise and movement, and adequate rest and attention to mental health.
Rev Fr Luke Nagahoto conducted sessions on the signs and symbols of the Eucharist and the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confession. He explained the deeper spiritual significance of the signs and symbols used in Catholic liturgy and emphasised that the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life.
The two-day seminar combined prayer, learning and fellowship, with active participation from the parish mothers. The sessions were moderated by Genevieve Vikhenshe, Febronia Khumcholila, Shikali Catherine, Sebia Leshila, Teresa Tsoathsi and Lucy Achola.
Special songs were presented by the mothers, Catechism children and youth of the parish, while a solo performance by Stanly Tsasuba moved the gathering. The praise and worship team from St Peter’s Parish and the Sisters also animated the singing throughout the seminar.
