Msgr. Richard Oswald
FORT SMITH — Msgr. Richard Oswald, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith, was moved from Sparks Health System to a rehabilitation facility Jan. 19, two weeks after suffering a stroke.
At the unnamed facility, he will continue his physical therapy. Because of his need to rest between therapy sessions, doctors have requested that he not receive visitors.
He also is recovering from surgery to implant a pacemaker Jan. 14, but he is no longer receiving dialysis and his kidney function has returned to normal, according to the family’s Web page on www.caringbridge.org.
Msgr. Oswald is continuing to work on strengthening his left arm and leg. He suffers some double vision in one eye, the family said. When he is able to rest, his sister, Johanna, a nurse from Austin, Texas, reads him entries from the Web site left by his current and former parishioners.
He is optimistic and determined to return to his parish soon.
“Monsignor’s doing great as far as state of mind and everything else. He’s telling me that he’s going to be back for the Easter Vigil (April 11) so he can bless the new candles,” Deacon Greg Pair, administrator of Immaculate Conception Church, said. “Father Thomas (Arackal) will be arriving on Thursday (Jan. 22) and we are looking forward to his being here.”
To get updates on Msgr. Oswald in English and Spanish or leave him a written message, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/richardoswald.
