UPDATE
Dear fellow members:
Father Allard suffered another sstback earlier this week.
It has kept him bedridden and on oxygen and consequently he was unable to concelebrate with the chaplain Tuesday and Thursday or preside privately Friday.
Yesterday (Saturday Oct 24) they got him out of bed in the afternoon and placed him in his chair but he was confined to his room in order to remain on oxygen [an oxygen machine - not an oxygen tank] ).
We decided to have him try presiding privately in his room yesterday (no candle though - due to the oxygen).
Success was limited. He has a lot of problems with his speech presently and the noise of the oxygen machine didn’t help make things any clearer. But by far the greatest hindrance was concerning his ability to consume the Sacred Species. His capacity for swallowing is already restricted, but is much more pronounced when he has these setbacks (ie severe coughing when attempting to swallow, particularly liquids).
This is really the first time since August 30, 2009 that he has had severe difficulty consuming the Sacred Species. Previously to August 30th, it was a more than periodic occurrence (so the prayers are helping greatly!) .
This swallowing difficulty (dysphagia - causes aspiration which can cause repetetive pneumonia
emedicine.medscape.com/article/324096-overview ) ends up being the critical point around which the other points revolve when one must consider Fr. Allard’s ability to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice ( as presider).
As mentioned earlier, we’ve (Father Allard and I) continued to ask for almost 9 years, that Fr. Allard would be able to continue celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass until called home.
This morning (Sunday), if the staff feel he can do w/o the oxygen for an hour or so, Father Allard should be able to concelebrate with the chaplain in the auditorium.
Thanks for your prayers everyone :grouphug:
God bless you.
Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
AMEN