St. Francis de Sales

May 29, 2020 Update

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Fr. Raphael has had a successful tracheotomy and is resting comfortably at this time (Friday evening). They took this step proactively to address the pneumonia and make sure he was getting lots of oxygen. He remains in the ICU, with a tube inserted directly into his windpipe, but his throat is clear, so he will now be able to speak more easily. His fever has dropped to a low-grade level (99 degrees), so that is getting under control, and they are treating it with Tylenol. His niece says they are looking for a few quiet days for him, so he can get on a steady recovery course. He spent most of Friday sleeping. She hopes to resume daily FaceTime visits with him tomorrow (Saturday). I'll let you know if there are any new developments. If not, I'll send out a status report early next week. 

Thank you all for your prayers and concern.  I am reminded that this is the community that prayed little William "the Warrior," Kathy and Bill Tretter's grandson, through his first two difficult months in Peru, and Fr. Raphael knows we are now praying for HIM daily, and constantly. Our prayers are powerful. Keep those cards and good wishes coming as well: They cheer him up while he is in isolation.

Fr. Raphael Iannone
c/o The Provincial house
30 Gedney PArk
White Plains, NY 10605

Father is grateful for his St. Francis de Sales family, and grateful to be in God's compassionate and healing hands.

OTHER NEWS

1. FREE MASKS FOR SENIORS. : Ulster Co. Office for Aging is having a FREE MASK give-away for SENIORS on Thursday, June 4, from 10 - 1 at the Town Hall. You will be able to drive up to the tent, No need to get out of your car!

2. SHOUT OUT for Kurt Boyer, from Boyer Sign Company on Rte 28 in Shandaken. When the epidemic forced us all into isolation, Kurt made and donated a sign with our website address so visitors could find us and keep up on what's happening in the parish (see picture above). This new addition has been added to our announcement sign on the parish lawn. THANK YOU Kurt!! Check out Kurt's website at www.boyersigncompany.com

3. The Archdiocese has sent out an exhaustive list of proposed guidelines for reopening churches, which is not likely to happen before July. We are sorting through and talking with Fr.Tom Kiely at St John's. Fr. Tom will come to Phoenicia to visit the church and help us assess capacity under the new guidelines that are emerging. We will have to develop a transition plan, taking some small steps that will reopen the church to limited numbers of people at first. I hope to put something in place for Parish Council discussion by mid-June.. 

4. Follow these links for the Bulletin and June Growing in Faith hand-out. Please read the bulletin and add the Spiritual Bouquet intentions to your prayers. Thanks.

5. We appreciate your support of the Parish during this time. Your checks and notes are most welcome. Let us hear from you! You can reach us at St. Francis de Sales Parish, PO Box 25, Phoenicia, Ny 12464. Thank you!

6. The office is open Wednesday and Friday, 9 - noon. Please call me if you need assistance at other times. We are also collecting and returning phone messages to the parish phone, but that may take a little longer, so feel free to call me at home (845-688-5357).

As always, stay well.

Sincerely,

Pat Ruane, Parish Council President


May 21, 2020

Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Fr. Raphael experienced a mild heart attack last evening. The important word here is mild. He was taken to Margaretville Hospital at about 7:30 pm because he was not feeling well, and they airlifted him to Westchester Medical Center. He arrived in stable condition at about 9 pm, and rested comfortably throughout the night. This morning he will have a cardiac catheterization and may receive a stent or two.

We are relieved with this news, as is his family and Provincial, Fr. Michael Greco. God is clearly with him! With the help of a very competent and experienced coronary team at Westchester, and with your prayers, we expect a full recovery!

We are not sure about how long he will be in hospital, but Fr. Michael suggests that he will probably spend a little recovery time at the Capuchin residence in Yonkers, where they can watch him closely before he returns to Phoenicia. I made it clear to Fr. Michael that Father Raphael does not want to get "stuck" in Yonkers (nor does this community), and that we are prepared to care for him here, when the time is right.  

Meanwhile, he can have no visitors, of course, so Fr. Michael suggests that we direct cards and letters to Fr. Raphael c/o the Provincial House. Here is the address:

Fr. Raphael Iannone
c/o Provincial House
30 Gedney Park
White Plains, NY 10605

The Parish office will remain open on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9 - noon. If you have parish needs or concerns, please feel free to call me at home: 845-688-5357. I will keep you updated as I learn more.

Sincerely,
Pat Ruane, Parish Council President

Latest Update - 5/24/20:
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Fr. Raphael remains in recovery at Westchester Medical Center. On Thursday, the doctors attempted to insert a stent, but there was a problem, so they went to Plan B - coronary bypass surgery. This was a setback, for sure, because surgery is much more intrusive, but it was Ascension Thursday, and Fr. Raphael came through the surgery well. He was clearly in good hands all around, and besides, he's a  stubborn Italian!! Not only were his doctors pleased with the surgery, but his post-op signs were all positive. He spent yesterday under close surveillance in the ICU, which is standard procedure. Today, he is.unplugged and resting comfortably, so the news is just about as good as anyone could hope for. 

We anticipate a hospital stay of at least a week, depending on how he is doing. 

Keep those prayers and cards coming, and the Capuchins will deliver to him wherever he is.