Priest with MS hopes to minister on-line

Having multiple sclerosis means that Rev. Nicholas Campagnone can longer go jogging on a daily basis. He does, however, long to go surfing -- on the Internet, that is!

Confined to a nursing home since 1995, the 59-year-old diocesan priest believes having access to a computer hooked up to the World Wide Web would ease the suffering of his isolation.

Prior to being stricken with MS, a chronic degenerative disease that leads to neural and muscular impairments, Father Campagnone taught religion, philosophy and psychology at Maria College in Albany for 20 years. He also served as chaplain at the Capital District Psychiatric Center for a decade. Before that, he worked with students at St. Patrick's in Johnstown, Bishop Burke High School in Gloversville and St. Patrick's in Catskill.

Slowed down

"For so many years, I was physically active, always on the go, jogging, riding my motorcycle, renovating a house and travelling to different countries," he said. "The MS put an end to all of that."

Father Campagnone now relies on a walker and a wheelchair for mobility. His greatest loss, however, is much less tangible and the hardest one for him to talk about: the loss of his ministry as a teacher and guidance counselor, the loss of regular contact with those in "the outside world."

A former typing instructor who has taken computer courses, including DOS and WordPerfect, Father Campagnone is eager to get on line as a way of getting out.

"If I could get on the Internet, I could communicate with people all over the world " especially those who, like me, are afflicted with MS," he said. "I want to know about their symptoms and their medications, and about how they cope with the disease. Maybe we could help one another in some way."

Getting wired

Although he has heard rave reviews of web sites featuring the Vatican and other spiritual centers, his old IBM laptop is not capable of running the software needed to access them.

A computer specialist who recently visited Father Campagnone at the Wesley Nursing Home in Saratoga Springs told The Evangelist that he would be willing to donate his time and expertise to set up a system, and to provide training and technical support for the retired priest " if the necessary components could be secured through donations.

The computer expert, a parishioner of St. Peter's Church in Saratoga Springs who wishes to remain anonymous, said that Father Campagnone needs a 486DX2/66 computer in working condition with Windows 3.1 and 8 to 16 megs of RAM as well as a keyboard, a mouse, a 14.4 or 28.8 modem and a 14" monitor. Such a system would enable Father Campagnone not only to visit sites of interest on the Internet, but also to send and receive e-mail.

Back in touch

The prospect of getting back in touch with those who live outside nursing home walls brings a visible glimmer of hope to Father Campagnone, who admits that he has watched far too much television these past two years.

Fluent in Italian, he is excited about the possibility of networking with others of Italian descent. "Having access to the Internet would open a whole new world," he reflects. "So many doors would open."

That's an important point, considering just how many doors in Father Campagnone's life have been closed because of multiple sclerosis. Once able to say Mass on a daily basis, he now celebrates Mass only twice a month " in the chapel of the Wesley Nursing Home.

He also misses the ability to walk and run. Not only did Father Campagnone jog every day; he also ran in races, including the annual trek sponsored by Freihofer's. He also derived great enjoyment riding a BMW motorcycle. Asked if he ever belonged to a riding club, Father Campagnone quipped: "Yes, Hell's Angels."

Disease's effects

Father Campagnone, the youngest of 14 children, said he was "a very happy priest, very independent and always blessed with good health. MS is a horrible disease; it takes away just about everything."

One thing MS will never take away from Father Campagnone is his faith and his desire to help others. Having access to the World Wide Web would empower him to once again reach out and touch others with his wisdom, wit " and the warmth of his compassion.

(Anyone who can help Father Campagnone by donating one or more of the computer parts needed to help him get "on line" should leave a message for Ann Hauprich at 453-6688 or 587-0468.)

(06-05-97) [[In-content Ad]]