The first death anniversary of Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese, late Most Rev Dominic Jala was commemorated in Shillong on Saturday, exactly a year ago when the leader of the Catholic Church passed away in a car accident in California.
On the occasion, a life-size statue of late Rev Dominic Jala (SDB) was unveiled at his parental house in Mawlai Phudmuri in Shillong by Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma.
The brother of the late Archbishop, Dr Louis Jala Kharbhih, and family members, Shillong Archdiocese administrator, Fr John Madur, Mawlai MDC Teiborlang Pathaw, headman of Mawlai Phudmuri, Sylvester Kurbah other priests, relatives and well-wishers were present at the event.
Earlier in the day, a Holy Mass led by Archbishop of Guwahati, and president of the North East India Bishop Conference, Most Rev John Moolachira as the main celebrant, was held at the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Laitumkhrah remembering and praying for the departed soul of the late Archbishop Jala.
The Archbishop Dominic Jala Memorial Award was given away to Raju Maring from Ri Bhoi district of Jyoti Sroat School Shillong for his meritorious performance.
After the Mass, Archbishops and Bishops, the chief minister, Assembly Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh, priests family members and other dignitaries paid tributes to the late Archbishop and laid wreaths and candles at his tomb beside the Cathedral.
On September 4, a book on the life of late Archbishop Dominic Jala was also released by Salesian Provincial Fr Paul Olphindro Lyngkot (SDB) at Don Bosco Provincial House, Mawlai.
Archbishop Jala died in an accident at Colusa County, Oakland, California in the USA after a Toyota Prius he was travelling in along with other priests, was hit by a tractor-trailer truck on October 10, 2019 at around 2.20 pm.
The mortal remains reached Shillong from the USA on October 20, 2019 after completing all formalities in California, and laid to rest on October 23, 2019.
Another priest from Kerala, Father Mathew Vellankal of St. Bonaventure, Concord in California also died along with the Archbishop.
Fr Mathew who also belonged to the same congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) was laid to rest on October 26, 2019 at Randar near Muvattupuzha in Kerala.