(November 07, 2009) Shillong archdiocese on November 5 honoured some 1,000 lay leaders as part of its weeklong platinum jubilee programs. The archdiocese decided to honour the lay leaders to recognize their contribution to the Church. “They are the mainstay of the Church’s mission in our towns and villages,” says Father John Madur, chancellor of the archdiocese. The archdiocese honoured on November 6, couples who are celebrating their golden and silver wedding anniversaries this year. “This is to acknowledge the family as the most important unit of society and the Church,” Father Madur explained. The celebrations which began on the first of November are to conclude on the 8^th of November with the Holy Mass. Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, president of the Northeast Bishops’ Council, will lead a special Mass. Bishops from the region’s all 15 dioceses and hundreds of priests from the region will concelebrate. The programs will end with the annual Eucharistic procession, a major event in Shillong attended by people of all religions. Salesian superior general Father Pascual Chavez Villanueva will join the concluding program. According to Father Madur, the Catholic Church has grown and spread all over north-eastern region during the past 75 years. The Church’s interventions in religious and social spheres have taken different shapes according to situations and new needs, he added. The Catholic Mission in north eastern India was made a diocese on July 9, 1934 with Shillong as its centre.
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