Correspondent
The 12th biennial conference of Angami Catholic Union (ACU) on the theme “Eucharist the source and summit of Christian life” got underway at Christ the King Church, here on Friday.
During the inaugural ceremony, guest speaker, director of St. Joseph’s College Men’s hostel, Rev. Fr. Dr. George Pazalhoukho Rino spoke on the topic “The Eucharist as a sacrifice”.
According to the priest, the Eucharist was a memorial of Christ and three reasons why sacrifices were made were to give thanks to God; to make a covenant with God and to avoid sinning.
The biggest sacrifice is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, he stated.
On why the Eucharist was celebrated at Catholic churches, he said that it was a tradition passed down by the Jews who believed that the Eucharist must be celebrated at a holy place, at a temple, on an altar and by a priest.
In this regard, he said the church was a reminder of the sacrifices made by Christ.
During the session, he also explained why certain rituals were followed by the church.
Earlier, president of the Catholic Union at Christ the King church (CKC), Keneingu Albert welcomed the gathering. He informed that it was the first time for the parish to host the ACU conference.
The inaugural session was presided by ACU vice president, Dr. Vilatuo Felix while Northern Angami Catholic Union (NACU) participated as choir for the ceremony.
The three-day convention formally began with an invocation by Angami Catechist Association president, Thekrunei Edward followed by lighting of convention candle by vicar general, Diocese of Kohima & rector, St. Xavier Seminary, Jalukie, Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou Kuotsu.
The first day of the conference concluded with second session presided by NACU vice president Kekhrieneilie Clement. Vicar general Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou Kuotsu, exhorted the gathering on “Code to make confessions the right way”.
Around thousand people attended the first day of the session.
The second day of the conference would begin with celebration of the holy mass with Rector and Parish priest CKC Rev. Fr. CM Joseph as the main celebrant.