As twilight fell over Immaculate Conception Parish in Old Monroe, dozens of parishioners gathered around a fire in front of the rural church for the start of the Easter Vigil.

Father Michael Lampe lit the paschal candle from the flames of the Easter fire, and eventually the churchgoers, carrying their own candles, made their way to their seats for the rest of the Mass.

During the celebration, eight new Catholics were welcomed into the Church. Five were baptized and three made professions of faith.

Abigail Martin was baptized, received her first Communion and was confirmed.

“It feels amazing,” Martin said about entering the Church. “I feel light as a feather.”

She said she knows she has God by her side and other members of the Church there to guide her “in doing what I can to follow God.”

Walker Easley, who received the sacraments of first Communion and confirmation during the vigil, said receiving the Eucharist for the first time was the most memorable part of the evening for him.

“We get to witness a miracle every single time we come to Mass. It’s a beautiful thing,” Easley said about the Eucharist.

The Easter Vigil was Father Lampe’s first at Immaculate Conception, where he serves as the parish’s parochial administrator.

“This is my favorite celebration,” Father Lampe said. “There’s so much grace that God is giving in the midst of this.”