Summary of the St. Cloud Diocese Pension Concerns Group meeting on March 12, 2026

The meeting focused on addressing the underfunding of the St. Cloud Diocese pension program, which is 42% underfunded with a $35 million deficit for the St. Cloud Diocese. The group discussed their efforts to advocate for full funding, support impacted retirees and employees, and update members on leadership progress. They shared concerns about lack of transparency from the diocese, frustration over potential pension cuts, and the need for better communication about the issue. The leadership team introduced themselves and their committees, and plans were made to continue listening sessions and push for more information from the diocese.

The meeting focused on concerns about the Christian Brothers retirement fund situation, where participants expressed frustration about not being informed about the pension plan's financial issues until 2025, despite problems being known since 2008. The group discussed their lack of trust in the bishops' definition of transparency and questioned why the bishop was dragging his feet on addressing the situation. 

Annett McConnell reported on behalf of the Outreach Committee that they had contacted 25 out of 29 diocesan principals and reached out to 131 parishes to inform employees about the situation and gather support.

Karl Terhaar, the Technology Committee member, discussed the website's performance, highlighting its growing visibility in Google searches related to St. Cloud pension concerns. He expressed frustration with the church's lack of transparency and support for workers, emphasizing the importance of standing with people over financial concerns. 

Mary Cheryl Opatz, representing the Logistics Committee, highlighted the role of the committee in supporting workers and encouraged everyone to reach out for assistance. 

Jim McConnell, from the Writing Committee, drew parallels between the Broadway musical Hamilton and the pension plan fiasco, urging attendees not to give up their shot at a positive outcome and to write their own story through public media.

Jeff Kaster, a retired theology professor, shared his journey from retirement to volunteering for a Media Relations Committee focused on advocating for teachers' and parish workers' rights. The committee has been working on a media strategy to gain publicity for their cause, including sending out press releases to regional newspapers and encouraging supporters to write letters to the editor and email the bishop. Jeff highlighted the importance of media coverage, mentioning that a St. Cloud Live article will feature the pension issue on its front page next week, and thanked reporters from St. Cloud Live and from the Minnesota Star Tribune for their coverage.

Jeff discussed the pension concerns of Catholic school teachers and workers, highlighting the diocese's underfunded pension plan and the lack of a viable solution to cover the shortfall. He emphasized the ethical, moral, and legal responsibility of the diocese to honor pension contracts, dating back 44 years, and clarified that the struggle is not with Christian Brothers but with the diocese. Jeff also noted that the legal representation of the diocese does not represent the interests of the pensioners, urging attendees to remember this distinction.

Mike Mullin, member of the Legal Issues Committee, discussed ongoing conversations with the Robbins-Kaplan law firm, emphasizing that while they have not yet retained a lawyer, there is hope due to the firm's lack of conflicts of interest and their consideration of the case. He highlighted that they are in the 10% of cases that law firms like Robbins-Kaplan consider, referencing a recent $42 million jury verdict in a similar case. Mike also mentioned that if they decide to engage a law firm, it would likely be on a contingency basis, with expenses covered out-of-pocket initially. He encouraged participants to save any legal documents related to their employment and pension, as these might be needed in the future, and reminded them to contact Jeff or Mary Cheryl for any legal questions.

Jeff discussed the importance of increasing their database from 220 to 1,400 members to strengthen advocacy efforts. He provided calculations on the potential financial impact of pension cuts, emphasizing the need for individuals to consult financial planners once the Diocese presents their figures. 

Mary Cheryl concluded by sharing inspirational messages about compassion and support, encouraging attendees to connect with others and offer help to those in need.