The Catholic community of Sim Dihai village near Falam town in Hakha Diocese commemorated the 25th anniversary of the arrival of the Catholic faith on Sunday, November 9, 2025, in a celebration marked by both joy for past blessings and hope for future renewal.

The Silver Jubilee event centered on a solemn Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Dominic Thawm Hlei Hnin at St. Mary’s Church in the village. He was joined by three concelebrating priests and three religious sisters for the service, which featured thanksgiving prayers, hymns, and reflections on a quarter-century of faith in the village.

In his homily, Fr. Dominic reflected on the spiritual foundation of the community. He reminded the congregation of the core Christian belief that “We are the temple of God,” urging them to remain steadfast in their faith and to bear witness to Christ through their daily lives and actions.

The anniversary celebration carried a poignant significance, highlighting a dramatic shift in the village’s religious demographics. While the Catholic faith once flourished with many families, church authorities noted that only two faithful members now remain in Sim Dihai to carry on the tradition. These individuals represent the enduring, though diminished, flame of a faith first established in the village in the year 2000.

Despite the current small numbers, the service was forward-looking. The faithful participants expressed a strong hope that the Jubilee celebration would serve as a catalyst, inspiring a spiritual renewal and leading to a revival of the Catholic presence in Sim Dihai in the years to come.

The commemoration served not only as a look back at 25 years of history but also as a public affirmation of the community’s desire to see its faith rekindled and grow once again, ensuring its legacy continues for another generation.

By RVA Falam Service