Bill Rall is Recovering

In the first week of September Bill Rall was admitted to Cleveland Clinic for open heart surgery.  However, upon admission, the doctors found that Bill had a 9 cm aneurysm in his abdomen and his heart surgery was canceled.  The surgeons performed a risky procedure to repair his aneurysm.  He was placed on a ventilator and the intensive care team was unsuccessful over an extended period of time to wean him from the ventilator.

On October 7, Don Wampach emailed an update regarding Bill's recovery:

"This update on Bill is long overdue.  Bill is doing much better!  The power of prayer is at work!

"I have talked to Carol several times in recent weeks, including twice this week.  Mike Heydinger stopped in to see Bill a few weeks ago, and Tom and Kathy Dechant stopped in a couple days later.

"After much improvement, on September 27 Bill was able to move from the Cleveland Clinic into a rehab facility in Bucyrus, Ohio.  Mike was able to stop in there yesterday after the Joss reunion in Columbus, and he was much encouraged in contrast to his earlier visit.  Bill was sitting up in his chair watching TV when Mike arrived.  Bill recognized Mike immediately and gave him a firm handshake. When Mike saw Bill the first time, he was under heavy medication, but it has really worked well toward Bill's recovery.  However, Carol said that Bill is not totally in the clear.  The aneurysm surgery has completely healed to the doctor's satisfaction, and Bill feels no pain there.  He was not on any oxygen on this visit and his breathing was very clear.  Mike did not notice any signs of the COPD.  Bill talked hopefully of his future - a good sign.

"I suggest that we continue to keep Bill, Carol, and the family in our prayers.  If you are inclined, you can send a card or a note to Bill, either at home: 400 Helen Ave., Crestline, Ohio 44827-1318, or at the rehab center: Altercare, Room 200, 1929 Whetstone St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820."

 

For those of you who do not remember, Bill left the Josephinum during First Theology.  Bill was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate shortly after this office was reinstituted by the Second Vatican Council and he has ministered in the Diocese of Toledo, OH, ever since.

Fr. Bob Kinast

Last week, Fr. Bob emailed me to advise me that he would not be attending our class reunion on the Outer Banks next week.  He asked that I pass on his greetings to all who would be in attendance.  In reply, I asked Bob about his priestly ministry at this stage in his life.

He promptly responded and gave me permission to post his remarks in our class blog for all of you:

Hello Again, Tom,

 

Thanks for your response to my email and your thoughtful comments. If anyone should ask, I've been parlaying my experience of 35+ years in the field of pastoral theology into playwriting. In my teaching and writing I used case study scenarios, verbatim dialogue, character descriptions--all the elements of a play. And since I've always loved the theater, I decided to use those elements in their own right and not to illustrate a teaching moment.

 

As a result, I've completed 29 short plays, 16 of which have been chosen for productions or readings. I've also written 9 full-length plays, one of which won a national contest and was given a five week production in New York.

 

I've been having fun writing in a different vein while still promoting the values and principles we try to live by. There's more than one way to proclaim the good news.

 

I hope [Hurricane] Matthew won't cause any disruption to the reunion plans. Greetings to those who make it.

 

Bob