Father Arthur Prall, M.M.

Father Arthur Prall, M.M., who served virtually his entire mission career in Bolivia, died April 1 at Mission St. Teresa, Maryknoll, in Ossining. He was 89.

In 1952, he became an assistant pastor in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. He also served at the shine parish of Our Lady of Cotoca where he aided migrant workers as well as parishioners. At a rural parish he worked to improve the water system and local roads.

While at Achacachi in the Altiplano region, he helped create schools, medical dispensaries, credit unions and cooperatives. He was also part of Maryknoll’s Radio San Gabriel radio education project for the isolated Aymara people.

In 1963, he did development work at Maryknoll’s Chicago promotion house. The following year, he went back to Bolivia where he did catechetical work in parishes.

Father Prall returned to the United States to study clinical pastoral training at Connecticut Valley Hospital, Middletown, Conn., 1969-1971, and at Central Islip Hospital and the Holly Patterson Home, both on Long Island, 1971-1972.

Upon his return to Bolivia, Father Prall served in two small towns in the Santa Cruz Archdiocese. After his retirement in 2000, he continued his mission efforts there.

He returned to live at Mission St. Teresa in 2009.

Born in Passaic, N.J., he entered the Maryknoll Fathers in 1943. He was ordained in 1952.

A Funeral Mass was offered April 8 in Queen of Apostles Chapel, Maryknoll, followed by burial in the Maryknoll Society cemetery, Ossining.