Shillong, 1st July 2023: The diaconate ordination of 34 brothers from Sacred Heart Theological College Mawlai was held on the 1st of July at Shrine of the Sacred Heart by His Lordship Bishop Wilbert Marwein the Bishop of Nongstoiñ Diocese. The Deacons belonged to different provinces in India, INS, ING, IND, INK, INT, IND, INC, LKC (Sri Lanka) and also from OCD Congregation. Present on this occasion were Fr. Paul Olphindro, the INS Provincial, Fr. Nazarius Lakra, Vice provincial of Dimapur, Fr. Joseph Terron, the Vice provincial of Dimapur, Fr. Ashley Miranda, Vice provincial of Mumbai province and other priests and religious. The celebration commenced at 6:45am beginning with the morning prayers. Before the Homily of His Lordship, Fr. Philip Barjo, the Rector, introduced each brother to the Bishop to be ordained as Deacons. Beginning his homily, the Bishop congratulated the Brothers for this tremendous journey in their life. As Deacons. “Today you are standing as a threshold between the Already and not yet” he said. Quoting from St. JOHN’s Favourite verb “Come, STAY, GO” the Bishop highlighted to the Deacons that their whole life is wrapped up in Jesus, the only Master and Guide in their lives. He emphasised that this was indeed a high time for them to shift from the world of Books and theories and enter into the world of People and Pastoral living. Finally, the Bishop exhorted the deacons to fill their days with a hunger for compassion and justice and a deep and burning desire to proclaim the world of God. Before the end of the mass, Deacon Anthony Kharbuki, proposed the vote of thanks and thanked everyone for their prayers, supports and participation.