St. Joseph Cathedral Parish of Hahka Diocese held its first-ever Parents’ Recollection on July 25, bringing together around 30 parents for a day of prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal ahead of Parents’ Day. The programme was led by Bishop Lucius Hre Kung and Assistant Parish Priest Fr. Peter Shjareh (LWMT) of the Little Way Missionary St. Therese.

During his reflection, Bishop Lucius spoke about the Gospel passage in which the mother of James and John asked Jesus to give her sons places of honour in His Kingdom. He said the passage shows the deep love and concern that parents, especially mothers, have for their children and their desire to see them live secure and meaningful lives.

The Bishop also said the Church’s celebration of the saints throughout the year is intended to inspire Christians to imitate their faith and holy living. He encouraged the faithful to seek the intercession of St. James and to become “courageous witnesses of the Gospel.”

A Call to Faithful Parenting

Parents attending the recollection were encouraged to pray for their children and families and to renew their commitment to Christian family life. Bishop Lucius reminded them that the greatest gift parents can give their children is not material wealth but the example of living as faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

Although Catholics are a minority in Hakha, Bishop Lucius encouraged the faithful not to lose hope. He said the first Christians were also few in number but boldly proclaimed the Gospel, allowing the Christian faith to spread throughout the world. He urged parishioners to trust in Jesus Christ, who strengthens and comforts His followers in difficult times.

Bishop Lucius also encouraged Catholics to care for God’s creation by planting trees and protecting the environment. He said caring for nature is part of Christian responsibility and contributes to healthier communities by providing cleaner air and a better environment.

The Role of Parents and Children

Fr. Peter Shjareh focused his talk on the responsibilities of parents and children. He reminded parents that they have the duty to guide their children in the Christian faith and teach them to love God and the Church. He said parents should lead by example, as children often imitate the lives of their fathers and mothers.

He stressed that parents should protect both the physical and spiritual well-being of their children so they may grow into responsible Christians.

A Participant’s Gratitude

One participant said he was grateful for the opportunity to spend time in prayer, reflect on family life, and pray for his children. He expressed his hope that the parish would organize similar recollections every year, or even monthly, to help families grow stronger in their faith and become better witnesses of Christ.

According to the Cathedral rector, Msgr. Jerome Hlawn Khawl, St. Joseph Cathedral Parish has around 300 Catholic households. However, due to the current situation and frequent movement of people, it remains difficult to determine the exact number of Catholic families in the parish.

The recollection marked a significant step in strengthening family life and faith formation within the parish, as the community prepares to celebrate Parents’ Day with renewed spiritual commitment.

By RVA Hakha Chin Service