Reverend Deacon Zubemo Thomas Odyuo, the 6th Priest from Sacred Heart Parish, Bhandari was ordained on December 28 by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima. “I am with you always” Matthew 28:20, is the motto of the new priest.
Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima, Fr. Victor Renthungo, in a press release stated that the Bishop in his introduction said that it was a red letter day for the Catholic Community.
In his homily, the Bishop dwelt on the duties and responsibilities of a priest, which he said were to lift up Jesus and learn from Him through poverty, ignorance etc.
The Bishop also explained the prophetic, pastoral and priestly roles of a priest. Once ordained, a priest is a marked man. He is impressed with the indelible character of the priesthood.
A true priest lives no longer for himself, but solely to the end that he may hold up the Crucified before men. The Bishop concluded his homily by thanking, particularly, the family and relatives of Fr. Thomas Zubemo for offering him to God and to the Church.
Earlier, deacon Zubemo Thomas, dressed in the traditional Lotha attire, was welcomed at the gate along with the Bishop by the Catholic community. They were escorted by the community, humming and singing traditional tunes, to the Sacred Heart Church. Rev. Fr. Philip Yanpvuthung, dean Studies of Good Shepherd Seminary anchored the program; and Rev. Fr. Pappusamy, parish priest, accorded words of welcome to the Bishop, invited guests, other government and village officials, dignitaries, priests and sisters from different parishes and other participants.
During the felicitation program, special items like congratulation song by the Parish Choir, special song by Yantsuthung Yanthan, speeches from the Bishop, from Bhandari Church members, and a family representative were also presented.
Rev. Fr. Thomas, the newly ordained priest thanked all in turn. Regina Kithan anchored the felicitation program. Time was allotted for well-wishers to felicitate the newly ordained personally after which meals were served for all.