For Father Tim Vakoc, Thursday evening was homecoming. He was back at his Alma Mater, The St. Paul Seminary, for the first time in three years.
Back in his Roman collar for the first time since the Humvee he was driving after saying mass for troops in Iraq, was hit by a roadside bomb. ?It's just fun to see him be a priest again,? said Linda Louie, Father Tim?s friend.
At a service, a few minutes later, Father Tim was named the seminary?s 2007 distinguished alumnus and given a sustained standing ovation.
?That's what your suffering has done,? Archbishop Harry Flynn told Father Tim. ?It has released an enormous amount of love among so many.?
Recovery from his brain injury has taken much time, but Father Tim was able to hold his own prayer sheet, make the Sign of the Cross and say ?Thank you? into the microphone upon receiving his award.
?It's amazing, just absolutely amazing, what's come about,? said his mother Phyllis Vakoc when asked about Fr. Tim?s progress.
?His greatest desire is to say mass again,? said his sister Anita Brand. ?That is the closest thing to his heart, he wants to say mass.?
(Copyright 2007 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
