St Peter’s Parish celebrated a thanksgiving Holy Eucharist for Rev Sr Shanglila Agnes, a newly professed, on October 19. There was a solemn entrance procession with the traditional attire led by the Catholic Women’s Association of Kiphire. Rev Fr Philip Magh, Parish Priest was the chief celebrant and con-celebrated by Rev Frs Jacob Pallotine, Thomas Toretkiu, Marius Patton and Mathew Nini.

A Parish priest at the very outside welcomed Rev Sr Agnes and family members, guests from Poland, doctors, nurses, a special invited guest, parishioners and congregation.

Rev Fr Thomas Torekiu, in his homily, reflected the life of Rev Sr Shanglila Agnes in the light of Luke 18:1-6, which speaks of the persistence in prayer.

He said Shanglila, whose name is given after the 1st Millennium or 21st Century, as she was born in 2001. She is truly blessed to give her baptismal name as Agnes. Agnes originates from ancient Greece, the Greek word “hagnos,” meaning “pure” or “chaste”. This is associated with her qualities of life, like sacredness, sacrifice, innocence, modesty, and righteousness. Her call to life is a call to live a life of challenges.

Fr. Toretkiu exhorted a life of prayer and said that Rev Sr Agnes’ decision to dedicate her life to God as a nun was not a coincidence but a purposeful choice, rooted in her deepening relationship with the Lord through prayer.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

He reflected, through the teaching of Jesus in the parable of the persistent widow, that the kingdom of God requires persistence and perseverance in prayer. Sr. Agnes’s life embodies this teaching, as she chose to persist in her faith, allowing it to guide her towards a life of service and devotion, he added.

During the Eucharistic celebration, Rev Sr Lucy Jinger was the commentator. Catholic Youth of SPP melody the occasion, and Sr. Caroline and Sr. Lucy sang the responsory psalm.  A gifts offertory procession was initiated by the unit leaders.

At the short felicitation programme, Joyce Sudila compered the programme. A special song was presented by the CYA of the Parish. Thomas Kiumusu, a Church Secretary exhorted words of appreciation followed by words of gratitude from Rev Sr Agnes Shanglila.

David Tsasemong spoke on behalf of the family members, after which a cake-cutting ceremony was held. A congregation was given an opportunity to come and greet her. Rev. Fr. Marius said the benediction.