ZCAN seminar challenges Catholics to live out their faith in daily life

58 faithful attend seminar on sacraments, Church practices and Catholic social teachingPeren, October 21 (MExN): The Zeliangrong Catholic Association of Nagaland (ZCAN) organised a one-day seminar on October 19 at St Peter’s Church, Nchangram village, under SFS Parish, Tening, Peren district, challenging Catholics to examine whether their faith translates into their everyday conduct.Held under the theme “We Are Catholics, But Does Our Faith Change the Way We Live?”, the seminar brought together 58 faithful from SFS Parish Church, Tening; St Thomas Church, Nzau; Christ the King Church, Nkialwa; and the host church.According to a press release from ZCAN, the sessions explored the history of the Catholic Church and the sacraments, Church practices and symbols, Catholic social teaching, and the practical implications of faith in daily life. The sessions were moderated by ZCAN Treasurer Sizanpi Anthony, while the opening prayer was led by Husinlak Simon, Assistant Catechist of St Thomas Church, Nzau.In the first session, Jerome Ningpi, former ZCAN Vice President and former Catechist of St Xavier’s Parish Church, Jalukie Town, spoke on the “History of the Catholic Church and Sacraments”.He outlined the historical development of the Church, its identity as One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic, and the role of the seven sacraments in Catholic life. He said the sacraments—from Baptism and Confirmation to the Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony—formed the spiritual foundation of believers’ lives.  ZCAN president Letgong Patrick and resource persons pose with local catechists of St Peter’s Church, Nchangram; St Thomas Church, Nzau village; and Christ the King Church, Nkialwa village, following the seminar at Nchangram on October 19. Ningpi expressed concern that some Catholics, including leaders, treated the sacraments lightly, regarding Sunday Mass as routine while giving greater attention to wedding festivities than to spiritual preparation. He urged Church leaders to set an example through regular participation and reverence, emphasising that membership in the Church also entailed a responsibility to serve.In the second session, Rev. Fr Peter Pehiacanglu, Assistant Priest of SFS Parish, Kohima, spoke on “Practices, Signs and Symbols in the Catholic Church”. He explained how visible signs and liturgical practices expressed spiritual realities, highlighting the significance of holy water, candles, incense, the altar, vestments, the Rosary and the crucifix in fostering reverence and deepening believers’ relationship with Christ.Ch. Kangba Andrew, Associate Professor at Peren Government College and ZCAN Advisor, spoke on “Catholic Social Teaching”. He outlined its foundations in Scripture and Church teachings, including the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, and highlighted principles such as human dignity, solidarity, the common good, preferential concern for the poor, peace, care for creation, and the dignity of work and participation. He emphasised that these principles called for practical engagement in everyday life.Delivering the keynote address on the main theme, Fr Pehiacanglu challenged participants to move beyond religious observance and demonstrate their faith through their conduct at home and in the wider community.Participants attend a session during the one-day seminar organised by the Zeliangrong Catholic Association of Nagaland attend at St Peter’s Church, Nchangram village, Peren on October 19. (Photo Courtesy:  ZCAN) “A lamp is not useful if it gives no light. Salt is not useful if it loses its taste. In the same way, our Catholic faith must be seen in the way we behave at home, in the village, in the market, and in the field,” he said.He cautioned against separating religious practice from daily behaviour, noting that attending Mass and praying the Rosary must be accompanied by forgiveness, respectful relationships and compassion. Referring to Matthew 7:21, he stressed that living faith required not merely professing belief but doing the will of God.Fr Pehiacanglu urged Catholics to practise mutual respect within families, care for elderly parents, nurture children with patience, help the hungry and sick, forgive neighbours, and reject gossip, dishonesty, corruption and discrimination. He also encouraged daily prayer, regular confession, Scripture reading, examination of conscience and acts of kindness as practical steps towards spiritual growth.The programme concluded with a prayer before the meal by Salu, Catechist, and a vote of thanks and closing prayer by Rangdibo Paul, Catechist of St Peter’s Church, Nchangram. He expressed gratitude to Letgong Patrick and his family for sponsoring the seminar.ZCAN President Letgong Patrick delivered the welcome address and closing remarks. The seminar concluded with participants reflecting on the central question of whether their Catholic faith genuinely transformed the way they lived.