Thousands attend ACWA convention

The 23rd convention of Angami Catholic Women Association (ACWA), hosted by Sts. Peter & Paul Church Zhadima, began Friday at the village ground Zhadima, Kohima.
Around 1,000 women from 46 Angami villages under Southern ACWA, Northern ACWA, Chakhroma ACWA, Western ACWA, Kohima Town ACWA, registered on the first day of the three-day convention.
The inaugural began with the blessing and inauguration of the convention hall by Parish priest, Mary Help of Christians Cathedral Kohima and ACWA spiritual director, Rev Fr Vemedo Kezo Joseph, who was also the speaker for the service.
Sharing on the theme, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished”, Fr Joseph urged the gathering to reflect on the story and life of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
He said mothers have the key to build or break a family and society. With this huge responsibility on their shoulders, he asked them to fulfill their responsibility and never lose the key.
As mothers hold a special role in the families, he also encouraged them to be spiritual mothers to their children and keep their children close to the Church.
Despite being a minority community, he said that faithful of the church should proudly profess the faith by following ethics and teachings of the Catholic Church at home and at workplaces. The inaugural session was chaired by ACWA vice president Mezhünuo Alice, greetings was pronounced by catechist, Sts. Peter and Paul Church Zhadima, Pezhachülie Philip.
Vichosüle Lydwin from SACWA read the word of God while CACWA president Neichürieno Bridget said the final prayer. Chedema CWA under NACWA was the choir for the session.
In the second session, Parish priest of St. John the Evangelist Church Khonoma, Rev Fr Dr Solomon Visosieo Vizo spoke on the topic “Faith without work is dead”.
He said that through the Baptism, faithfuls are called to be God’s children. He therefore urged the need to regularly feed the soul with spiritual food and be in communion with Christ.
Further, he advised the people to have faith, repent, and live by the Catholic faith.
The session was chaired by ACWA joint secretary Rüüngu-ü Rose, scripture was read by CACWA general secretary Rovikono Roseline, while Kelhousano Cecilia pronounced the final prayer. Khonoma CWA was the choir of the session.