MISSION CO-OP WEEKEND: JULY 4TH & 5TH

The diocese of Kohima, covering the entire state of Nagaland, at the extreme northeast of India bordering Myanmar, is a relatively new mission territory. It has been only 74 years since the first Catholic Baptism in Nagaland. The diocese is inhabited by 17 major tribes of Mongoloid race, who are collectively known as “Nagas”. Each tribe has its own distinct dialect, traditions, and customs. The Naga culture is rich in values like communitarian living, hospitality, openness, hard work, and sincerity. 
The Catholic Church began its mission after World War II by helping to run the first government hospital, built by the British government as a reward for helping during the war. At the request of the governor to find some religious groups to administer the hospital, the Archbishop in Shillong managed to get two Sisters belonging to the religious order of Missionary Sisters of Christ Jesus and a chaplain from Spain. They were forbidden to teach the Catholic faith, yet they preached it secretly and reaped its first fruits with the baptism in 1952 before they left the place. The sisters told us that they used to secretly bury small crosses and holy medals as they visited villages, hoping for the growth of the Catholic faith. That was a symbolic implanting of the Catholic faith, growing into fullness in the course of time. The Catholic Church grew slowly but steadily through the initiative of the laity who lived and spoke of the Catholic faith wherever they went. Today, there are more than 63,000 Catholics in the diocese. It is a fertile ground for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We now have 78 priests and 278 religious sisters from the various tribes of Nagaland. There is much scope for the growth of the Church despite many challenges and problems.
The specific project the mission appeal is to build a shelter home for the children affected by HIV/AIDS or children whose parents died of the disease. As you know, the so-called golden triangle of drug smuggling in the world starts from Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar, and passes through the Northeast to the rest of the world. Naturally, there are many people addicted to drugs and consequently affected by HIV/AIDS. Many young people die, leaving their children orphans. In the diocese, the Carmelite Sisters take these children and try to provide them with education and help them settle into life. Now we would like to build a decent shelter home for these orphan children: a place to sleep/dormitory, study hall for study, refectory, kitchen, and toilet facilities. These children are given the opportunity for education. The whole shelter home will cost about $30,000-40,000 USD. The money from the mission appeal this year goes to build a shelter home. Therefore, we appeal to your generosity so that these children may have decent living conditions and settle well in life. We thank you very sincerely in anticipation of your generous help.