CONWAY — After suffering a near fatal condition a year and a half ago, Msgr. Richard Oswald, 70, is back on the job as associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway.
“It was serious. I was unconscious for about a week,” Msgr. Oswald said. “The initial news was scary because they were not sure if I would live.”
On Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, Msgr. Oswald, then-pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith, suffered an intraventricular bleed in the brain. Because of the holiday schedule and a planned evening out, he was not discovered until Saturday morning.
“No one was looking for me and I was down for 12 or more hours,” he said.
By then his condition was life threatening and he required dialysis because of kidney failure.
“On Saturday evening (Jan. 3), Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, led a rosary for a group gathered at the hospital,” he said. “I felt the power of the people praying for me all through my recovery. That’s got to be the reason I’m here.”
After intensive rehabilitation and the care and comfort provided by retired priests, including his brother, Father John Oswald, at St. John Manor in Little Rock, Msgr. Oswald is now ready to serve the people of Arkansas once again.
“I had a comfortable, spacious apartment,” he said. “And the companionship of the other priests allowed me to get my fire going again.”
While at St. John, Msgr. Oswald began walking to gain and maintain his strength. He continues to walk up to two miles and said his biggest challenge is turning in place, although he has no trouble getting around or driving.
“A classic example is putting the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle,” he said. “I have to be thoughtful when turning around to not lose my balance.”
Msgr. Oswald, who celebrated his 45th anniversary as a priest on May 29, said he asked the Bishop Anthony B. Taylor for an associate pastor position because he felt he did not have the stamina to be pastor.
“I’m beginning a new career here at St. Joseph,” Msgr. Oswald said. “I was pleased to find I can preach comfortably. When you are on medical leave for a year, you aren’t sure.”
He said Conway is an ideal location because he has family in the area, including five cousins who attend the church.
Although Msgr. Oswald grew up in Little Rock, both his father and mother attended Sacred Heart School in Morrilton.
Msgr. Oswald serves as associate pastor with Father John Marconi serving as pastor of the 1,800-family parish. Interestingly, in 1988, the pair served in opposite roles at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers.
“We know each other well and feel we can work well together,” he said. “There is no apprehension about the shoe being on the other foot.”
Msgr. Oswald said he is pleased to be back in the parish and also will serve as chaplain for Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College and Central Baptist College.
St. Joseph has a large Hispanic population and Msgr. Oswald said he is comfortable in that environment too.
“I have quite a bit of experience with the Spanish language and am comfortable with celebrating Mass in Spanish, although I’ve never been truly conversational to provide deep counseling.”
Msgr. Oswald came to the parish at the beginning of June and is settling in to his new surroundings nicely.
“What makes this appointment special is that the Spiritan Fathers took care of this parish for 135 years,” he said. “It is very special for Father John and me to come in and care for this parish. We’ll give them our best. The people have really welcomed us. I think it is going to be wonderful.”
