Adieu Mr. Suosahie Philip

A tearful farewell was given to Mr. Suosahie Philip Dzüvichü, the first catechist of Christ King Church, Kohima village, nay of whole Nagaland, during the Requiem Mass presided over by Bishop James Thoppil DD of Kohima Diocese and concelebrated by 21 priests in the presence of a large congregation of the faithful at Christ King Church beginning at 3.00 pm on 02 April 2016. Later the mortal remains of Mr. Suosahie were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery below Christ King Hr. Sec. School, Kohima village. Bishop James, in his homily during the Requiem Mass described Mr. Philip as a pillar of the Catholic Church not only in the Christ King Parish but also in the whole Diocese of Kohima. Condolence messages were read out by Mr. Albert Keneingu on behalf of Shri T. R. Zeliang, Chief Minister of Nagaland, and Rt. Rev. Robert Kerketta SDB DD, former bishop of the undivided Dibrugarh Diocese. Fr. T. C. Joseph read out messages sent by Fr. Nestor Guria, Salesian Provincial of Dimapur Province as well as the messages of the former Provincials, Fr. Mathew Pulingathil sdb, Fr. Varghese Palathingal sdb, Fr. Thomas Mulayinkal sdb and Fr. James Poonthuruthil sdb. Fr. Peter Salew sdb (CKC Parish Priest) read a message on behalf of the Catholic community of Christ King Church. Dr. Rudro spoke on behalf of the Salesian Cooperators. Mr. Dominic Yasokie (ACU President) read a message for Angami Catholic Union. Mr. Johnny Rongmei (CAN Gen. Sec.) presented a message from the Catholic Association of Nagaland. Fr. Solomon Vizo offered condolence message on behalf of the Clergy. Mr. Anthony condoled the family on behalf of the catechists of Christ King Parish. Mr. Ruokuo Paul (CU President) read a message from the Catholic Union of Christ King Parish. Condolence messages were offered from the Angami Catholic Women Association, Northern Angami Catholic Union, St. Peter’s Church (Kohima), Thesophenyu Village (Tsemenyu), St. Luke’s Church (New Secretariat), Catholic Youth Association (Kohima), Catholic Junior Association (Kohima), Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement, etc. Mrs. Alhouü Albina (Mr. Philip’s wife) and Dr. Rose Mary Dzüvichü (Mr. Philip’s daughter) spoke on behalf of the family. Mr. Suosahie Philip Dzüvichü the youngest son of Late Vichalie Dzüvichü was born on 10 March 1932 in Lhisema (L) Khel, Kohima Village. After his studies he entered Government service. He was converted to the Catholic faith and received baptism on 24 December 1954 together with his friends Mr. Kevipralie Paulus, Mr. Neizo Louis, Mr. Sasielie Samuel, Mr. Kezesuohie Sylvester, Mr. Vayolie Valentine, Mr. Miapho Marcus, Mrs. Deinuo Diana and Mrs. Neipieü Naomi, most of whom have gone to their eternal home. They received baptism from Fr. Umberto Marocchino sdb at Naga Hospital, Kohima. Mr. Philip married Alhouü Albina of Kohima village on 24 October 1954. Deeply impressed with the Catholic faith and its practices, he decided to dedicate himself

to the service of the Church. Thus in 1955, at the age of 23 years, he was appointed as the first Catechist of Christ King Church, Kohima Village. He was awarded a medal and a citation of Apostolic Blessing from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee as catechist in the year 2005. Mr. Suosahie Philip Dzüvichü, since the inception of the church in Kohima, has been actively involved in spreading the Gospel and the Catholic faith to different areas, particularly, Kohima, Zhamai, Zelume, Chizami, Phek, Lazami, Tesophenyu, Tsemenyu and Peren. His contribution to the Tenyidie Language has been in the form of translations. He has translated Prayer Books, Hymn Books, Seven Books of the Old Testament and other religious books. The Ura Academy had awarded him the B. A. Degree in Tenyidie. He also had the privilege of serving as the first President of the Angami Catholic Union, which was formed in 1988. In 1964 he led a team of Naga Catholics to the International Eucharistic Congress in Mumbai where they met His Holiness Pope Paul VI. In 1975 he participated in the World Encounter of Catechists in Rome and Lourdes (France) and made a pilgrimage to Holy Land in the year 2012. The Christ King Church in Kohima Village which he has nurtured for the past 61 years has a total number of 3844 Catholics. During this period two local Priests, namely Fr. Keduoneilie Alex Vizo and Fr. Visosieo Solomon Vizo, were ordained, while Sr. Medokuonuo Margaret Sekhose MSMHC and Sr. Akhonuo Mary UFC made their final profession in their respective congregations. The various institutions that had been started in Kohima with his initiatives, namely Little Flower School in 1969, Don Bosco School in 1970, Bethany Medical Mission Center in 1972 and Mt. Tabor Retreat House in 1980, are now flourishing significantly in the region. As a catechist he worked with Bishop Robert Kerketta SDB DD (Bishop Emeritus of Dibrugarh and Tezpur), Lt. Bishop Abraham Alangimattathil SDB DD, Bishop Jose Mukala DD (Bishop Emeritus of Kohima) and Bishop James Thoppil DD. The Parish Priests with whom he has served the Catholic communities since his appointment in 1955 are the following: Mgsr. Bars Immanuel sdb, Fr. Umberto Marocchino sdb, Fr. Joseph Felix sdb, Fr. Paul Bernick sdb, Fr. Tarcisius Resto sdb, Fr. John Med sdb, Fr. Ittyachen Manjil sdb, Fr. Mundathanathu (M.M.) Michael sdb, Fr. Tom Karthikapallil sdb, Fr. Ponnattil (P.K.) Mathew sdb, Fr. Andrew Xavier sdb, Fr. Kollenkunnel Devasia sdb, Fr. Peringalathu (P.M.) Joseph sdb, Fr. Jerome Moshary sdb and Fr. Peter Salew sdb. Mr. Suosahie Philip Dzüvichü passed away at his residence on 01 April 2016 after a prolonged illness. He has left behind his wife Mrs. Alhouü Albina, five sons and five daughters and a number of grandchildren. As a sign of our heartfelt gratitude to him for all he has done for us, we earnestly pray the good Lord to reward Lt. Mr. Suosahie Philip and bless his family abundantly. May his soul rest in peace! “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). -Catholic Community of Kohima Village