Dear Bishop Neary, 

In 2020, I retired from the interim superintendent position for Catholic Community Schools. Prior to that, I served as Cathedral High School's principal for almost twenty years - the longest serving principal in the history of CHS. Before becoming an administrator, I was a Catholic school teacher in St. Cloud, Sleepy Eye, MN, Billings, MT, and Aberdeen, SD. A part of my retirement is my pension from Sts. Peter, Paul, and Michael School (currently All Saints Academy. 

I am extremely alarmed about the possible reduction or elimination of this pension. 

From my background, it should be apparent that I was committed to Catholic education. I would expect that same kind of reciprocal commitment from the Catholic Church. There are hundreds of former and current Catholic school teachers and employees who depend on this promised income. It is the ultimate hypocrisy of the Church to turn its back on this social justice issue. We all believed in our mission and calling, and then to find out that the Church may not stand behind promises made to us is a true betrayal. 

The Diocese of St. Cloud could cover the needed amount (over years) should you choose to do so. You should have said, "We will stand behind you." Instead, you have denied our participation, you have not communicated with the parish communities as we requested, and you have not been open and transparent. It certainly appears that you will make a decision and impose it on us. 

I am a life-long Catholic, distressed and disturbed by the Church's response to this very serious matter. Please do the right thing - figure out a way to pay your retirees and current employees what they were contractually promised - their fair and due pensions. 

We are working to determine our next steps on this matter. While you may hope that we will quietly accept your plan, we cannot do that without exhausting all avenues. 

Sincerely, 

Lynn Grewing