St. Thomas Catholic Church, Phelungre, celebrated a momentous occasion with the Golden Jubilee and the Dedication of its newly constructed church building on 20 December 2025, marking fifty years of faith, growth, and Christian witness in the region.

The celebration began with the blessing and unveiling of the Golden Jubilee Monolith, unveiled by Shri Johnny Raungmei, President of the Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) and Joint CEO, NSDMA, Government of Nagaland, symbolising the enduring legacy of faith and sacrifice of the pioneers of the parish.

The highlight of the celebration was the solemn Dedication and Golden Jubilee Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima. The sacred liturgy commenced with the lighting of fifty golden jubilee candles, signifying fifty years of God’s faithfulness and the steadfast journey of the Catholic community of Phelungre.

In his homily, Bishop Thoppil reflected on the biblical meaning of jubilee as a time of renewal, repentance, and re-dedication, drawing inspiration from the Book of Nehemiah. He emphasised that while the newly built church stands as a visible sign of God’s presence, the true Church is the living community of believers, called to become temples of the Holy Spirit. Stressing the centrality of the Eucharist, he reminded the faithful that it is the source of strength that enables Christians to remain firm in faith and authentic in witness.

The Bishop acknowledged the sacrifices and perseverance of the pioneers, priests, religious, and lay leaders who nurtured the Catholic faith in Phelungre over the past five decades. He urged the faithful to carry forward this legacy by becoming genuine witnesses of Christ through unity, service, and love, transcending all tribal and social divisions.

The Eucharistic celebration was followed by a felicitation programme, during which the community expressed gratitude to dignitaries and special invitees with tokens of appreciation.

During the felicitation, Bishop Thoppil congratulated Shri John Tsülise on being conferred the prestigious IAS title, calling it a blessing for the Church and society. He reiterated that the Catholic Church is a universal Church, called to unite all people beyond distinctions of tribe or class. Sharing from experience, he noted that inter-tribal conflicts have led to the loss of many opportunities in the region and exhorted the faithful to become the salt and light of the world, carrying forward the mission entrusted by Christ and the pioneers of the Church.

Shri P. Tsaseto, Head GB of Phelungre, described the completion of the grand church building within a year as a clear sign of God’s providence and remarkable community cooperation. He affirmed that despite the presence of two denominations in the village, the Village Council has always extended impartial support to all and appealed for reconciliation, forgiveness, and renewed harmony during this jubilee year.

Smti. Roukouheü Roselyn, President of the Nagaland Catholic Women Association (NCWA), conveyed greetings on behalf of the association and encouraged the faithful to take pride in their Catholic faith. She reminded them that the mission of Christ is the responsibility of all Christians, not only priests and religious.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Johnny Raungmei congratulated the community on behalf of Catholics across Nagaland and expressed pride in Phelungre for producing one priest, four religious sisters, and several gazetted officers in service of the people. He described the Catholic Church as an umbrella that offers shelter to all tribes, urging the faithful to live out the inclusive spirit of the Church, guided by faith rather than appearances.