UpDate: December 19, 2025

Dear Folks,

I just got off the phone.  Bishop Neary called me and talked to me about the Christian Brother’s pension fiasco. It was a very cordial conversation.  I mentioned that I would be sending out a summary to all of you who have signed up with the pension concerns group.

I have good news and bad news.  First the good news. 

1. Bishop Neary will bring the idea of Listening sessions to the committee. He basically seemed positive about holding listening sessions. He mentioned that if this does happen, he would like to work with us to plan and/or facilitate the listening sessions.
2. He  said that he would write a letter and/or create a video communicating the pension problem to the people in the diocese.
3. He seemed quite positive about listening to input from current and retired employees about possible solutions to this problem: turning the situation from we/they to both/and.  Essentially seeking at the listening session to get to “we are in this together and discussing      together best outcomes possible.”
4. He is reading our letters. He said he is getting “a lot of letters.”

The Challenging News

1. Although he did not explicitly say he would not accept representation from retired and currently employed school personnel on the committee. It seemed clear to me that this was not something that he was considering. He mentioned at least three times that he feels the committee is doing very good work.  He used the phrase, “we have a crack team’ at least three time.
2. He was rather adamant that the diocese knew nothing about the pension problem      until July.
3. He basically was saying the  diocese does not have the money to cover the amount underfunded and suggested that a capital campaign was simply not feasible.

I very much appreciate that Bishop Neary responded to me/us.  Because of the Christmas break, not much of anything will happen until the new year.  I will keep you posted with any news I hear.

Advent Blessings,

Jeff Kaster

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead.