THOMASTON—Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory visited St. Peter the Rock Church in Thomaston Aug. 13 to celebrate a thanksgiving Mass and confirmations.

On behalf of the parish, Father Liem Nguyen, pastor, welcomed Archbishop Gregory and guests at the beginning of Mass.

Father Nguyen thanked the archbishop for his love, care and support of the parish. He also asked Archbishop Gregory to pray for St. Peter the Rock Church, to thank God for abundant blessings and graces, and to pray for all faithful and generous parishioners and benefactors, living or deceased.

During Mass, Archbishop Gregory administered the sacrament of confirmation to 13 youth.

Certificates of appreciation were given to Brad Wilson, CFO of the archdiocese, Jack Husack, manager of shared accounting services of the archdiocese, and Barbara and Daniel Jones, daughter and son-in-law of the late Jim and Betty Brooks Lawrence. Father Nguyen gave his thanks for their help and support of the parish.

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving and appreciation at St. Peter the Rock Church, Thomaston, on Aug. 13. He was thanked by the pastor, Father Liem Nguyen, on behalf of the parish, for his love and support.

After Mass, the archbishop blessed a plaque honoring the Lawrences, their family and all benefactors for their love, generosity and support of the parish in the past 12 years.

After Mass, the parish held a thanksgiving party at nearby Bickley’s Lake. There were activities for young and old, including food and desserts, a water slide for the kids, volleyball, basketball, music and dancing, fishing, water balloons and more.

St. Peter the Rock is a small but active parish, located between Thomaston and Barnesville. The church was established in 2005 by combining St. Ann Mission of Barnesville with St. John the Baptist Mission of Thomaston.

The church community takes pride in the level of family involvement in parish ministries and activities, including Mass, morning and evening prayer, the rosary, Eucharistic adoration, confession, visiting the sick, faith formation, CCW, Knights of Columbus, youth group, Boy Scouts, adult faith education, Hispanic weekly Bible study and Theology on Tap.

Parishioners of St. Peter the Rock, a caring community, pray, support and assist people in need, regardless of membership in the church. Parish programs have included a winter jackets drive, Food for the Poor, baby bottle campaigns and assembling Christmas baskets in cooperation with DFCS to provide to needy families in the surrounding counties of Lamar, Pike and Upson.