Question: What makes St. Thomas Catholic Church a beacon of faith? St. Thomas Catholic Church stands as a testament to community and devotion. It is located in Smyrna, Georgia, within the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Founded in 1966, St. Thomas Catholic Church is staffed by the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette. This parish seeks to keep Jesus at the heart of their lives. This is especially true in the Eucharist. Here they experience God’s grace. They strive to build strong bonds. These bonds are for mutual support. The members serve with mercy, justice, and evangelization.
In 1998, Father Jaime Molina joined St. Thomas. He served the Hispanic community. He was invited by Father Caffery.
Many features adorn the church. A bronze statue of Our Lady of La Salette stands proudly. Rev. Jerry Biron donated it around 1985. The Saint Thomas the Apostle Painting was created in India. It was done in 2005 by request of Father Joy Chukkananickal.
The stained-glass window is at the church’s entrance. It shows the risen Christ and a doubting Thomas. A banner reads simply: Believe.
The ivory crosses are a unique sight. Carl Leick, a former parishioner, created them. They were behind the main altar. After a renovation in 2015, they were moved. Now they are in the Social Hall.
The Processional Cross was donated to St. Thomas. It honors M.L. and Jack Kellner. They were long-time parishioners. The Kellners moved to upstate New York in 2008.
The Stations of the Cross were donated by parishioners. This was during Rev. James McGlone’s time. They were purchased from Maison Bouvrier Inc. This is a Canadian Religious Articles business.
The Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe came from the Hispanic parishioners. The Statue of the Blessed Mother was acquired during Father Dyer’s time.
The Wooden Nativity was donated by the Brennan family. It is in memory of Glenda’s husband, Tom Brennan.
The Wooden La Salette Cross was commissioned in 2010. Phil Reynolds, a British craftsman and parishioner, made it. It is built in teak wood. The cross can be seen from King Springs Road. Its installation was on January 21, 2011.
The Memorial Garden was dedicated in September 2010. Gus Scannapieco, a parishioner, donated it. It is a place for families to remember loved ones. Engraved bricks are throughout the garden. Donations are accepted for new bricks.
St. Thomas offers many services. Saturday Mass is at 4:30 p.m. Sunday Masses are at 7:45 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. Weekday Masses are also available.
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church seeks to be a welcoming community. It invites all to share in faith. It offers many events and activities. These nurture spiritual growth. St. Thomas is more than a building. It is a family. It is a place where faith comes alive.