Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Father Tim Vakoc, Wounded Combat Chaplain: The Healing Continues

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Please Pray For Father Tim's Recovery!
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This wonderful season of new life strikes me as just the right time to give you an update on the condition of Father Tim Vakoc, the first U.S. military chaplain wounded in the Iraq war. I say “just the right time” because the news about Father Tim is both hopeful and upbeat – so much so that the story is brimming with new life all on its own. If this doesn’t reflect the power of prayer, I don’t know what does.

Father Tim, you might remember, suffered a terrible head injury when a roadside bomb exploded near his unit three years ago. His wounds were uncomfortably close to being fatal. He survived, however – just barely – and was flown back to the U.S. and ultimately to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in his home Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis. As I wrote last year: “He has received wonderful care, of course, but the outlook hasn’t always been bright. Most of the time, in fact, it’s been downright discouraging.”

Still, prayers on his behalf were working overtime. A year ago I relayed the promising story of a slight improvement in Father Tim’s condition, reported by Linda Louie, one of the friends invited by his family to be among his regular visitors.

Now the reports are even more encouraging. I caught up with them in AMS News, the newsletter published by the (U.S.) Military Archdiocese, which reprinted a recent story written by Jeremy Olson of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press. Briefly, here are the highlights:

After a year of therapy at the VA Medical Center, Father Tim had little strength in his legs and was able to move his left hand and wrist slightly – nothing more. Speaking was apparently out of the question. Doctors told Father Tim’s family that his recovery probably would progress no further.

Family and friends thought otherwise. The prayers continued, and so did the miracles. Continuing his exercise therapy, the chaplain gained balance and added strength. The tube in his throat was removed last summer, and he spoke his first clear words two months later. In December he was strong enough to be discharged from the VA facility, and became a resident of St. Therese nursing home in New Hope, Minn.

The healing, and the hard work of therapy, go on. Father Tim has a laptop touch-screen communicator on which he’s able to provide not only simple yes-or-no answers, but can indicate some basic wishes. “I need a break from talking” is one of them. From someone who hadn’t uttered a word for more than two years, it’s a powerful thought.

A highlight of his recovery – his recovery so far, that is – came not long ago when he attended the annual award banquet at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, his old high school in St. Louis Park. He was seated in a wheelchair and a friend lowered a microphone in front of him, asking him for a greeting. As Jeremy Olson reported: “For 20 seconds, only the gymnasium lights hummed in the quiet. ‘Thank you,’ Father Vakoc said. Silence returned as he labored for breath. ‘And,’ he whispered, ‘God ... love ... you.’”

Father Tim Vakoc, priest and chaplain, gives honor every day to both of his callings. His ministry goes on as he inspires all those with whom he comes in contact. And as for the power of prayer? Never count it out. Catholic Online

An Update from Father Tim's Sister, Anita:

Greetings.

This is Father Tim's sister. He has made even more progress. Today the 30th is Father Tim's 15th anniversary as a priest. Yesterday was the 3rd anniversary of his injury.

He continues on his healing road. The prayer support and people support is truly a blessing.

The staff at St Therese work him hard. Speech has worked with Tim so he now is eating a little. Oatmeal. Yes it is a long way from a steak and a scotch but it is a huge step forward. He is now able to receive communion when he goes to daily mass. Physical Therapy has him on a recumbent step machine and in a standing table. And his head is so much straighter. Occupational Therapy has him using his right arm and doing some of his ADLS.

Please continue the prayers. Miracles do happen.

Anita



Celebration for Father Tim Vakoc, St Therese's, New Hope, Sunday, June 10, 2007

Caring Bridge, Vakoc Family Site

"Father Tim Updates", Fabrizio Azzola, Catholic Online Forum

Novena to St Michael for Father Tim Vakoc

St Paul Seminary Honors War-Wounded Priest, KARE-11, April 27, 2007

Chaplain injured in Iraq to receive seminary's Distinguished Alumnus Award today, St Thomas Bulletin, April 26, 2007

"A Prayer for Father Tim", StarTribune, Slide Show with Narration, December 15, 2006

"A Prayer for Father Tim", StarTribune, Article, December 15, 2006






11 comments:

swissmiss said...

Ray:

Thanks for the update. You must've read my mind...I was just wondering about Father Vakoc's condition the other day when I drove by the VA. Prayers for continued recovery. You just can't help but be keenly aware at how incredible this gift of life is when you read about him.

Anonymous said...

Greetings. This is Father Tim's sister. He has made even more progress. Today the 30th is Father Tim's 15th anniversary as a priest. Yesterday was the 3rd anniversary of his injury. He continues on his healing road. The prayer support and people support is truly a blessing. The staff at St Therese work him hard. Speech has worked with Tim so he now is eating a little. Oatmeal. Yes it is a long way from a steak and a scotch but it is a huge step forward. He is now able to recieve communion when he goes to daily mass. Physical Therapy has him on a recumbant step machine and in a standing table. And his head is so much straighter. Occupational Therapy has him using his right arm and doing some of his ADLS.
Please continue the prayers. Miricles do happen.Anita

Cathy_of_Alex said...

Ray: Fr. Vakoc's story is nothing short of amazing. I think he has taught many the value of those who may be considered "less then whole" or "less then worthy" by some people.

Anita: God bless you and your family. You are all in my prayers as well as your brother.

Cathy said...

Thank you, Ray!
I have posted a Novena on my blog and would love you to join in.

God bless you and your family, Anita.

Sanctus Belle said...

Thank you so much for reporting on this holy priest. I will pray for him. I am also glad to hear he recieved good care at the VA medical center.

Anonymous said...

You're on, Ma from the Windy City:

Count me in.

And I will pass your web link on to my Stella Borealis Buddies in the Twin Cities

Here's Ma Beck's link for her blog's Novena for Father Tim. Join us, folks.

http://wardweb.blogspot.com/2007/05/novena-to-st-michael-archangel-for.html

Thanks, Ma!

Note to Blogger: Why do I have to identify myself for my own blog? I refuse, thus I will post anonymously. So there!


Ray from MN

Unknown said...

You're on, Ma from the Windy City:

Count me in.

And I will pass your web link on to my Stella Borealis Buddies in the Twin Cities

Here's Ma Beck's link for her blog's Novena for Father Tim. Join us, folks.

http://wardweb.blogspot.com/2007/05/novena-to-st-michael-archangel-for.html

Thanks, Ma!

Unknown said...

You're on, Ma from the Windy City:

Count me in.

And I will pass your web link on to my Stella Borealis Buddies in the Twin Cities

Here's Ma Beck's link for her blog's Novena for Father Tim. Join us, folks.

http://wardweb.blogspot.com/2007/05/novena-to-st-michael-archangel-for.html

Thanks, Ma!

Anonymous said...

Ray,

wonderful entry!

For those interested, I started a thread in the Prayer section of the Catholic Online Forum

http://forum.catholic.org/viewtopic.php?p=602328#602328

I hope to be able to retrieve all of the online articles, files and pictures I had gathered in another thread that went lost during a restructuring of the forum. Nevertheless, Fr. Tim is amazing. I am not sure about who is getting more of the healing grace: Fr. Tim because of the storm of prayers for him or those praying for him and being edified by his story and example.

God bless,

Fabrizio

Laura The Crazy Mama said...

Thank you for the update, I used to work at that nursing home a long time ago. I can picture where he is and pray for him in his recovery.

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