Dear Bishop Patrick Neary, C.S.C., 

As someone who has been a Catholic educator since 1994, there have been many storms to weather, a few of them include: Pay freezes, changes in insurance companies and coverage to save the diocese money, but give less coverage to the employees; a change from contracts to employment agreements, making it easier to dismiss employees; sudden changes in PTO allowances, restructuring of church assets during, and because of, the clergy sexual abuse cases; recent school closures due to the mismanagement of CCS and the school leadership they employ; impending church closures to lessen the workload of priests serving the parishes. 

In all of these situations, we have been asked to trust and to pray. We have been asked to understand that good will come from it, that we will be stronger because of the decisions made on our behalf. And in all of these situations, new information is revealed after the fact. The truth about the timelines of events becomes known. The fact that decisions were already made before listening sessions happened becomes known. The true extent of the mismanagement becomes known. 

Now we find a new crisis, a new storm to weather, with Christian Brothers retirement services. And we deserve a change. We deserve full honesty. We deserve regular and immediate communication. We deserve a voice in final decisions before they are made. Please hear us and consider acting upon the needs of your people. 

Sincerely, 

Monica Notch