Father Jaime Molina Juarez, MNM, left, parochial vicar at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Smyrna, lowers the Easter candle into the water as Father James Caffery, MS, pastor, reads the prayer of blessing over the baptismal water. The parish celebrated 20 baptisms, including two children and two newborns, during the March 30 Easter Vigil Mass. (Photos by Michael Alexander)

Holding a lighted candle, Shannon Henne, 25, stands with the congregation during the renewal of baptismal promises. Henne was one of 50 candidates receiving first Eucharist and confirmation at St. Thomas the Apostle Church March 30.

Father James Caffery, MS, anoints the forehead of William King, left, with chrism during confirmation. King was first introduced to Catholicism during a tour of duty with the U.S. Air Force in southern Spain. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1993 and following his retirement from the military, extensive research about the Catholic Church led King to his first visit to St. Thomas the Apostle Church in February 2001.

(L-r) John Gatto, his sponsor Tom Dietsch, Cheryl Gonzalez, and her sponsor Rachel Cleaver join hands and pray the Our Father among the congregation's other newest members.

Cathy Bailey is baptized in the St. Thomas the Apostle Church immersion font by pastor Father James Caffery, MS. Bailey's first exposure to Catholicism came nearly 10 years ago when her brother attended Catholic school on the west side of Chicago. Although she moved to Atlanta in 1995, she didn't start looking for a church home until last year. After visiting a Methodist and a Baptist church, she decided on St. Thomas the Apostle Church, which is four blocks from her home, because she "loved it and the people."