Fr. Ready Celebrates Gift He ‘Had No Right to Expect’

“He is retiring as pastor, but not retiring,” said Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Father Frank Ready, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Annandale.

In February, Bishop Loverde announced that Father Ready would join Father Mark Mealey and Msgr. Roy Cosby as vicars general for the diocese. Retirement now has a different meaning for Father Ready as he begins his new duties on July 1.

“He will bring to that office many talents that you have already experienced,” the bishop said.

Holy Spirit Parish hosted a retirement party for Father Ready on June 12. The nearly 200 who attended illustrate Father Ready’s successful ministry at Holy Spirit over the past 10 years.

Bishop Loverde thanked Father Ready for all his years of service to the diocese.

“There is much gratitude in all our hearts tonight. First to the Lord and then to Father Ready for saying yes,” he said. “So many people have been enriched by the presence and ministry of this priest.”

Bishop Loverde explained that when Father Ready first started his seminary studies for the Maryknoll Fathers, he desired to be a missionary. When he switched to being a student for the Diocese of Richmond, he realized that the diocese at that time was a missionary diocese.

“The diocese of Richmond had lots of territory where the Gospel needed to be preached,” the bishop said. To that end, Father Ready founded St. Theresa Parish in Portsmouth (1970), Holy Nativity Parish in Burke (1973) and Sacred Heart Parish in Manassas (1984).

When the Vatican decided to split Virginia into two dioceses in 1974, Father Ready was stationed at Nativity Parish in Burke and was brought into the Arlington diocese.

“He is an inspiration and encouragement to all families,” Bishop Loverde said. He hopes that families in turn encourage their sons and daughters to answer God’s call in their lives.

“This call from God was something that started to grow and grow,” Father Ready said. “It consumed all my thoughts. I wanted to be a follower of Jesus Christ.” He referred to his vocation as a “gift I had no right to expect.” His desire to follow God’s will has led him to the various stations in life along the way.

“What God has in store, I don’t know,” he said. “But we can trust Him completely.”

Father Ready praised the Holy Spirit community for their willingness to give their time and talents to the parish.

Father Ready’s three sisters flew in from Massachusetts, Florida and New Hampshire for the occasion, though his brother, Paul Ready, in Nevada, was unable to attend.

“We’re absolutely amazed,” said Carolyn Weeks, the sister from Cape Cod, Mass. “Everyone has been so wonderful to us.”

When she first received her invitation for Father Ready’s retirement party, Weeks did not expect such a large celebration. She enjoyed seeing how much her brother is appreciated in this area.

Father Ready was thanked by the Knights of Columbus, the Arlington Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (ADCCW) and the Catholic Committee on Scouting and Campfire.

According to Charles Bennett, from the Holy Spirit Knights of Columbus, 10 years ago, the parish did not have a Knights council. Many parishioners were members of the knights, but connected with different parishes. At Father Ready’s request, they started a new council at Holy Spirit.

At the time, Bennett said, they were worried that there wouldn’t be enough men to hold it together. Now, Council No. 11922 is the largest in the state with 250 members, he said.

Bennett presented Father Ready with a check and a plaque from the Holy Spirit Knights.

On behalf of the State Council, Ray Wycoff presented Father Ready with a plaque and the news that the state council would send him on an all-expenses paid trip to the Supreme Council in Chicago Aug. 2-5.

Wycoff also presented the bishop with a check for $15,000 to go toward vocations in this diocese. The money came from the Knights’ campaign to give a penny per day, $3.65 per year, for vocations.

“We are grateful for your sustained work in this essential aspect of the Church’s life,” said Bishop Loverde.

Members of ADCCW gave Father Ready a plane ticket to Rome in appreciation for his serving as their moderator.

“Other than the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Mother, he’s the main reason we have been successful,” said Liz Schiavone, ADCCW president.

Immediate Past President Virginia Berg claimed that his role as moderator would be what gets him to heaven. “He’s been a wonderful moderator. He listened to us,” Berg said.

Father Edward Horkan, parochial vicar, presented Father Ready with the parish gift. One second collection was held for the retiring priest and raised $37,939.

Parishioner John Tutko presented Father Ready with a painting of Holy Spirit Church by fellow parishioner Gus Muller.

“He’s been very faithful to being here,” said Sue Fecke, a Holy Spirit parishioner. “You could always count on him. We’re going to miss him.”

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