City Honors Father John Baker

City Honors Father John Baker

Mayor Teri Johnston, the City Commission, and City Manager Al Childress joined together to proclaim Father John Baker Day, and to present the retiring priest with a Key to the City.

Father Baker gave his final invocation at the April City Commission meeting.

Mayor Johnston read the proclamation, and City Manager Childress presented the Key to the City, saying, “so you can get in after hours, any time.”

Father Baker was born in Massachusetts. His father was stationed in the Air Force, so the family moved often. When his father retired, they settled in Rhode Island.

As Father Baker was nearing 30, he joined the priesthood and served parishes in Rhode Island before moving to Florida where he served in Plantation and Fort Lauderdale. He moved to Key West in 2007.

When Father Baker arrived in Key West, the parish was named St. Mary Star of the Sea. During his tenure, the parish earned its designation as the Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea, the Catholic school grew in enrollment, and once again includes a high school.

“Father Baker worked hard to include all cultures that call Key West home,” noted the Mayor, “with a Haitian Creole prayer group, a Spanish Mass, and a Creole Mass. Every student at the Catholic school knows him as Father John. He spends time with the students, blessing their pets at the annual Blessing of the Animals, prays before sporting events and follows their scholastic achievements.”

On March 17^th, when Father Baker announced his retirement, the Mass ended with a standing ovation. He officially retired on March 26^th and because of his strong love for the community, he intends to stay in Key West, a community that is blessed to have him.

Father Baker humbly accepted the honor, saying, “God bless you all.”

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