Roseville Pastor Has Open-Heart Surgery; Is Doing Well

St. Clare Catholic Church shared the following update this week about a pastor who has undergone serious surgery in recent months: 

Father Steven went for the 1st of two back surgeries on November 5th. Due to the complication of a hematoma which required 4 units of blood, the 2nd operation was put off. Father Steven was sent home to the rectory to recuperate and to have his heart checked out because it revealed stress during the hematoma complication.

After 2 weeks of rest, on Nov. 29 Father had a heart cath procedure to find any heart issues. While his heart appeared to be healthy, 2 severe blockages were revealed. Father Steven was thus again hospitalized and during the next day, Nov. 30, had open heart surgery for a triple bypass. The operation was successful. On Wednesday, December 5th, Father returned to the rectory.

Father reports that he is doing well. He takes two 20 minute walks each day and is cutting back on the use of pain medicine. After 1 evaluation it has been decided that he does not need physical therapy. He does still have limitations due the yet unfinished back operation but is progressing very well. Next week he meets with his doctors and they will set up a schedule for the 2nd back operation. He expects it to happen in the first week of January. This will be followed by 4 - 6 weeks of recovery before returning to active ministry. He looks forward to resuming his service to the parish.

The Parish Administrator, Paula Staszkow, and Father Martin who has taken on the pastor's daily duties; both meet with Father Steven weekly, in the rectory. He has delegated to them the responsibility to run the parish but remains involved in major decisions and strategic planning. The diocese has been kept fully aware of the situation and Father Martin has extended the schedule for visiting priests to ensure that there is no disruption in services. The entire staff has stepped up to meet this additional challenge during our busiest season.

The main extra expense at this time is the need to bring in and pay the replacement priests. The parish also had to minimally increase housekeeping hours at the rectory. Costs for rehabilitation equipment were born by the insurance or Father Steven himself, excepting an upgrade in a lounge chair. Parishioners are working through MOMs to deliver food to the rectory on a regular basis.

Father Steven wants the parish to be fully informed and will notify it when the next operation is scheduled. Our prayers on his behalf and support of the parish during this time are most important to him and are greatly appreciated. He prays for the parish and its people every day.