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A last wish fulfilled

Dave Borowski | Catholic Herald

Fr. Richard Dyer (right) gives a first blessing to a seminarian during the reception after his ordination Mass Dec. 27.

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Fr. Richard Dyer (left) gives a first blessing to his father Richard Dyer Sr. while his mother, Justine, prays with them.

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Fr. Richard Dyer distributes Communion to his father Richard Dyer Sr. during his ordination Mass to the priesthood, held Dec. 27.

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Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde receives a chalice from Richard Dyer Sr., Fr. Dyer’s father, during the presentation of the gifts at Mass last week in Clifton.

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Bishop Paul S. Loverde lays his hands on Fr. Richard Dyer’s head during his ordination Mass in Clifton.

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Deacon Richard Dyer lies prostrate in front of the altar at St. Andrew the Apostle Church during his ordination Mass to the priesthood Dec. 27.

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Fr. Richard Dyer is congratulated by his family during his ordination Mass Dec. 27.

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Fr. Richard Dyer (left) holds up the Eucharist during his first Mass as a priest Dec. 28 at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Clifton.

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Fr. Dyer gives Bishop Loverde a blessing during Mass.

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St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Clifton was decorated for
Christmas with poinsettias, trees and wreaths that filled the
altar and the sanctuary just two days after the celebration
of the birth of Christ. It was a fitting backdrop for the
ordination of Father Richard Dyer by Arlington Bishop Paul S.
Loverde – a Christmas present for his dying father,
Richard.

Because of his father’s illness, Father Dyer was ordained
early at his home parish. He asked the bishop to consider an
early ordination so his father could attend. The bishop, in
turn, offered this possibility to Father Dyer, and he
accepted.

“The bishop (performed) an incredible act of charity,” said
Father Dyer.

“It’s unique to move up the ordination date to accommodate an
illness,” said Father Brian Bashista, diocesan director of
vocations.

For the past six months, Father Dyer served as a transitional
deacon at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria, on his way
to ordination to the priesthood in June with his fellow
deacons, Keith D. Cummings and Thomas M. Yehl. His father’s
illness changed everything.

Father Bashista said that usually a transitional deacon stays
at a parish for a year before being ordained. In this case
there were six more months to serve, but he said he’s
received nothing but glowing reports about Father Dyer from
Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. It’s been a long
journey for the 48-year-old who found his vocation later than
most men.

He attended the University of Notre Dame majoring in
electrical engineering. He also was enrolled in Air Force
ROTC at Notre Dame. After graduating in 1985, he was
commissioned into the Air Force.

After fulfilling his military obligation, he worked for
several years as a defense contractor, returning to Notre
Dame in 1991to earn a master’s in business.

In 1993, he returned to Virginia and found a job at a power
plant, eventually being promoted to vice president – and
making a lot of money – before answering a call to the
priesthood.

His decision to become a priest later in life was not easy
and filled him with trepidation.

“Throughout seminary I had been afraid,” said Father Dyer of
his time at Mount St. Mary’s. “(But) I knew I was called.”

His computer screensaver is a quote from St. John the
Apostle, “Perfect love drives out fear.”

“I was certain He was calling me,” he said.

Father Dyer’s family and friends gathered at St. Andrew on
the feast of St. John the Apostle to watch the seminarian be
ordained a diocesan priest. His father sat in a wheelchair
next to his son during the ceremony. Father and son sharing a
special moment as son became Father in the ancient ceremony
of the Catholic Church.

“I’m very happy,” said Bishop Loverde on the ordination of
Father Dyer. “We wish you every blessing.”

Although he is a priest, he must now finish his studies at
Mount St. Mary Seminary.

Father Dyer celebrated his first Mass the following day on
the feast of the Holy Innocents, a day that he found
especially poignant because of his strong pro-life
sentiments.

His father was unable to attend his son’s first Mass because
of his illness. He passed away less than 24 hours after
watching his son enter the priesthood of Christ.


(Read the obituary of Richard Eugene Dyer Sr. here.)

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