Archbishop Flynn celebrates Mass for seriously wounded Army chaplain

Published: 2005-06-08

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul-Minneapolis celebrated a Mass on Memorial Day weekend for Father Timothy Vakoc, an Army chaplain from Minnesota who was seriously injured in Iraq last year. The May 29 Mass marked one year since Father Vakoc's injury and the 13th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis. Father Vakoc, who lost an eye and sustained brain damage when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee, recently began showing signs of improvement, according to medical personnel at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, where he is receiving treatment. Although he cannot talk, he communicates by squeezing people's hands and giving a thumbs-up or thumbs-down in response to questions. Family members say he is aware of people and his surroundings.

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