Nawatanr, Ranchi: Fr. Rohit Ekka, Franciscan Third Order Regulars (TORs) was Tuesday ordained a priest at the Our Lady of All Graces Church, Nawatanr by His Grace Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX.
At a solemn High Mass in which over 30 priests, a number of religious sisters and over 3000 people participated, Bishop Theodore ordained Fr. Rohit who hails from the Kotwali village of the parish. In his homily, Bishop Theodore reminded the new priest that, “God himself calls us, chooses us and anoints us. The call carries a responsibility which God himself places us. Like Jeremiah, we may be afraid and choose to run away. But God assures us that the mission is his and that he is with us.”
In the words of St. Paul to Timothy, the Bishop advised the priest that we are called to love the faith, keep the doctrine and through our good lives teach the people to walk on the right path. Citing from the Gospel, His Grace exhorted Fr. Rohit to be the good shepherd who cares for his sheep, does not run away but is ready to lay down his life for them.
Earlier in the ceremony the parents of Fr. Rohit led him to the Altar and offered him to the Church.
At the end of the Mass, Fr. Rohit thanked the Bishop, his own superiors and all present. Fr. Hilarius Barla, Provincial of the Ranchi TOR province spoke about the TOR Congregation and expressed his gratitude to all. Fr. Deonis Kerketta SFX also proposed a vote of thanks to Rohit’s parents and to all who helped in making the celebration a memorable one. Bishop Theodore appreciated the Church of Nawatanr for living the gift of the faith and said that this faith reflected by a large number of vocations to the priesthood both to the diocese and to the religious congregation.
The Mass was followed by a cultural programme in which the local MLA Mr. Bandhu Tirkey was also present.