How does one capture the intense joy and incredible journey of the 70 years of dedicated priesthood of Monsignor Frank J. Hendrick?
The only and best option was sharing in the holy sacrifice of the Mass. Brother priests who have walked with him since he retired from the Arlington diocese in 1998 and an overflow crowd of the faithful packed the Belle Meade Health Center chapel in Southern Pines, N.C., May 8 to honor him.
Frank Hendrick was born Nov. 2, 1926, in Richmond. He attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and was ordained a priest by Richmond Bishop Peter L. Ireton May 8, 1954. Serving in the dioceses of Richmond, Arlington, and the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, he was a parish priest, teacher, principal, pastor, chaplain, and director of Catholic Charities. Upon retiring to North Carolina horse and golf country, he immediately began serving in the parishes of Sacred Heart in Pinehurst and St. Anthony of Padua in Southern Pines, staying in active ministry until he was no longer able to stand for the Mass.
Msgr. Hendrick is a legend in Moore County, N.C. He keeps on ticking despite a recently fractured hip, therapies he would rather not attend, and the perpetual aches and pains of advanced age. Though 97 years old, his words and smile, hilarious quips, and impeccable memory keep everyone on their toes. The community rallied around to support him and mostly benefits from his wisdom and guidance, not the other way around.
Msgr. Hendrick served in the military and rode and judged horses across the nation. He will stop whatever he’s doing to hear a confession or to share a story from long ago. He is the quintessential Southern gentleman who happens to be a priest.
Msgr. Jeffery Ingham, Msgr. John Williams and Father John Kane joined with him to celebrate Mass.
During his homily, Msgr. Ingham spoke directly to Msgr. Hendrick.
“The priesthood is a mystery; for 70 years, Monsignor, you have been witnessing to the reality of priesthood and to victimhood,” he said. “You’ve given yourself; you’ve emptied yourself to this day.”
“You still are giving of yourself,” he said. “You are offering yourself in your priesthood for us.”
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge sent his congratulations and prayers on the occasion.
“I join with your family, friends, and brother priests in thanking God for your many years of faithful and generous witness to Christ and service to his Church,” he said in a letter. “On behalf of the faithful in the Diocese of Arlington, in particular, I thank you for your sacrifices and labors for the Gospel.”
“May Our Risen Lord, who called you to be his priest, continue to bless you and all your work,” he wrote.
Chaplain Col. David Bowlus, U.S. Army Forces Command, brought greetings and gratitude from Fort Liberty in North Carolina, presenting a certificate of appreciation, a rosary made from parachute cord, and the prayers of those who made it.
The day’s beauty was reflected in Msgr. Hendrick’s perpetual smile. Despite being in a wheelchair, he was fully vested as he brought and shared the love of God to all of us. He often declares, “I have had a blessed life. I really want to go to heaven. I tell the Blessed Mother, ‘Yes, I call you blessed every day, and every day I have breath, I ask your divine son to forgive my sins, so I can go to heaven and see your face.’ ”
Msgr. Hendrick is living proof that when love of Jesus and Mary intersect with pain and sacrifice, hope envelops the room. His legacy profoundly blesses us all.
Lamblin, a former parishioner of Holy Spirit Church in Annandale, lives in Pinehurst, N.C.
