OBERNBURG  – Father George Baker, pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Obernburg for the past 12 years, celebrated his farewell Mass on Saturday afternoon before a full church.

Father Baker expressed his gratitude to all those in attendance for their support and friendship during his time at the oldest Catholic Church in Sullivan County.

Parishioner John Theadore gave a farewell message to the congregation after Mass, telling how much Father Baker had meant to the church.

He related how Father Baker always put his parishioners above himself and would go above and beyond to serve his fellow christians.

Theadore also related how Father Baker was assigned to a church in Lower Manhattan that was litterly covered in rubble following 9-11.

He recounted how the church survived despite being cut off from the rest of the world and having no electric, water or other necessities.

Theadore told how Father Baker was then assigned to St. Mary’s Church and had to learn about the country.

“We thank you for everything you have done for us,” Theadore said.

In closing, Theadore summed up Father Baker’s tenure with a stanza from Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken,”

“I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

Following Mass, nearly 75 people went to Michaelangelo’s in Jeffersonville for a farewell dinner, organized by several members of the church, including Ruth Brustman and Anna Milucky.

Parishioners spoke about how much Father Baker had done during his 12 years at St. Mary’s and how much he meant to the congregation.

“All we can say is ‘Thank You,” one man said, telling how Father Baker was there for him during his wife’s battle with Alzheimer’s and ultimate passing.

Father Baker then said Good-bye to his many friends and neighbors, saying how much he enjoyed being a part of St. Mary’s Church and its tight-knit community.