“Whatever I am or hope to be, I owe to the people around me,” was the meaningful phrase offered by Father Thomas Zajac, resident of St. Joseph’s Parish, Summit Hill, during a farewell testimonial held in his honor on Monday evening.

Approximately 200 people, many of them guided by Father Zajac, who had gained their confidence, attended. The motorcycle-riding priest, who is also a talented singer and guitarist, expressed regret in having to leave Summit Hill, but accepted it as “God’s will.”

Joseph “Buck” O’Donnell served as master of ceremonies for the program while parishioner John Watto, principal of the Panther Valley Middle School, described Father Zajac as a “friend as well as a priest and educator.”