Dear Bishop Neary,

Thank you for the recent communication dated October 17, 2025 from Joe Spaniol,

Chief Finance Officer, Diocese of St. Cloud, regarding the Christian Brothers Lay

Employee Pension Plan. As a teacher who has served the Diocese of St. Cloud for 31

years, I feel it is important to share my concerns directly and respectfully. My intention is

not to criticize, but to advocate for honest communication and just treatment for all of us

who have devoted our lives to Catholic education.

1. As an employee, I believe the Diocese had a responsibility to understand and

communicate the risks earlier.

The letter states that there were “no prior communications from Christian Brothers

regarding the underfunding.” Yet pension plans of this type produce regular actuarial

reviews, financial reports, and compliance documentation. A shortfall of the magnitude

described—over $80 million—does not develop overnight.

As one of the employees who has relied on this benefit for nearly four decades, it is

difficult to believe that warning signs were entirely absent. If information was available

and not shared, or if the Diocese relied solely on Christian Brothers without adequate

oversight, then this represents a significant breakdown in the transparency and

stewardship that we as Church employees are taught to value.

I have always believed in a culture of honest, open, and transparent communication. In

this situation, that standard does not feel met.

2. Catholic school teachers accept lower salaries with the understanding that

retirement benefits are part of the compensation.

From the first day I accepted a teaching role within the Diocese, I knew my salary would

be lower than that of my public-school colleagues. My decision to teach in a Catholic

school was not based on financial gain—it was an act of faith, mission, and service.

However, the retirement benefit was a clearly understood and essential part of the total

compensation package. For 31 years, I relied on the Diocese’s assurances that this

benefit would be there for me. It played a major role in my decision to remain in Catholic

education, even when it meant personal and financial sacrifice.

To now be told that the pension is significantly underfunded calls into question the very

foundation of that long-standing understanding.

3. The potential loss of these retirement benefits creates real financial hardship

for me and for every teacher in my position.

This pension represents nearly 60% of my expected retirement income. Losing all or

part of this benefit would have a profound and immediate impact on my financial

security after a lifetime of service to the Church and Catholic Education.

Many of us have lived modestly, served faithfully, and trusted that the Diocese was

protecting our futures. This news is devastating and places a burden on employees who

did nothing wrong and who honored their commitments for decades.

My Request

With humility and hope, I ask the Diocese to:

• Clarify whether any indicators, reports, or concerns about the pension’s stability

were known prior to this announcement.

• Provide full and ongoing transparency, including access to actuarial

assessments, financial projections, and any information that affects our

retirement security.

• Explore every possible measure to support affected employees, so that we are

not left to absorb the consequences of this shortfall alone.

Bishop Neary, I have loved my vocation, my students, and the mission of Catholic

education. I have served with a full heart and a sincere commitment to the Church. I am

simply asking that the same commitment be shown to those of us who have dedicated

our lives to this work.

Thank you for your time and for your attention to this serious matter. Be blessed in all

you are, in all you do!

With gratitude and hope,

Catherine J. Calhoun