Father George Wiskirchen, assistant director of Notre Dame bands, was upgraded from critical to stable condition at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center Tuesday, following a stoke Monday morning that left him paralyzed on one side of his body and unable to speak.

As of Tuesday night, Wiskirchen, 72, was in stable condition but remained without motor abilities on the right side of his body and speech capacity, hospital officials said. Doctors expect to know the full extent of the stroke's effects by Thursday.

On Tuesday, physicians moved Wiskirchen from the hospital's critical care unit to a general patient floor, where they are monitoring the congestive heart failure he already suffers from.

In the meantime, band members and colleagues have been in almost constant vigil at his bedside.

"We saw him [Monday], and the situation looked very grave," band director Kenneth Dye said. "Today we went in, and he was conscious and responded very well."

Word of Wiskirchen's illness led well-wishers to hold a prayer service Monday night.

"This has brought the band community closer together … alumni, friends — everyone has shown support. We're all hoping for the best," Dye said.

Wiskirchen, a 31-year Notre Dame faculty member, was rushed to the hospital around 12:15 p.m. Monday, according to Father Bill Seetch, Wiskirchen's friend and fellow Corby Hall resident.

Dye said Wiskirchen was discovered collapsed in his room after colleagues realized that he hadn't reported to work at the usual 8:30 Monday morning.

"We're optimistic and hope that everyone who knows him says a prayer," Dye said.

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