We, the undersigned community members, parishioners, and school families of Visitation, St. Jude and St. Joes, are deeply concerned about the current direction of leadership and decision-making within our parish.

Recent changes, particularly those affecting the school, have raised significant concerns about transparency, decision-making authority, and the long-term health of our parish community. As dedicated members of the parish community, we believe that open communication, shared governance, and collaborative leadership are essential to preserving the strength and integrity of our faith community.

Our Requests

1. Transparent and Inclusive Leadership Decisions.

Transparent and inclusive leadership decisions are essential to maintaining trust, stability, and a strong school community. Without clear communication and stakeholder involvement, decisions can lead to frustration, division, and uncertainty about the school’s future. Ensuring an open selection process for the next principal and implementing clear governance policies will help restore confidence, retain faculty, and support the long-term success of our parish and school.

• We request that major decisions, particularly the selection of the next school principal, be made through a transparent and inclusive process that involves input from school families, faculty, and key stakeholders.
• We seek clarity on the criteria and selection process to ensure that our next principal is an independent, experienced leader who is empowered to make decisions in the best interest of the school.

2. Stronger Collaboration Between Parish and School Leadership

A strong partnership between parish and school leadership is essential for maintaining a stable and thriving educational environment. When school administration has the autonomy to make student-centered decisions without unnecessary interference, it fosters faculty trust, enhances student success, and ensures long-term sustainability. Collaborative leadership that actively engages with families and staff creates a more positive, transparent, and supportive school community.

• We request that the school’s administration be given the autonomy to manage day-to-day operations without undue interference.
• We urge parish leadership to work collaboratively with school families and staff to ensure a positive environment that fosters student success, faculty retention, and long-term sustainability.

3. Accountability and Open Dialogue

Accountability and open dialogue are essential for fostering trust and engagement within the parish and school community. However, current parish leadership has been consistently difficult to reach, unresponsive to emails and calls, and unavailable to meet with concerned families. Regular town hall meetings, clear feedback mechanisms, and financial transparency will ensure that parishioners and school families have a voice in important decisions, strengthening confidence in leadership and promoting a more united and informed community.

• We ask that parish leadership commit to regular town hall meetings or open forums where parishioners and school families can voice concerns and receive transparent updates on important decisions.
• We request a clear mechanism for parishioners to provide feedback and have meaningful input into the direction of our parish and school.
• We request full transparency in parish finances, including clear financial reports accessible to all parishioners. Currently, there is no visibility into how contributions are distributed.

4. Transparency in School Policies and Accountability

Parents have repeatedly been told there is no formal protocol for handling student incidents and safety concerns. Instead, these matters are handled at the discretion of leadership, leaving families without a clear, accountable process. Leadership has failed to establish written protocols despite requests to do so.

• We call for immediate updates to the school handbook that include:
  
  • Incident response procedures for student safety concerns and disciplinary matters.
  • A clear chain of command so parents know who to contact and how concerns will be addressed.
  • Leadership accountability to ensure that parent concerns are handled with consistency and professionalism.

5. Improved Parish Council Communication and Transparency

The Parish Council meeting notes on the parish website are outdated and need to be kept current. Parishioners should have timely access to these records to stay informed about leadership discussions and decisions.

• We request regular updates to these files be available to the parish community. 

6. Fair and Democratic Selection of Council and Committee Members

It is essential that parishioners who are not appointed take an active role in electing the members of the council and committees. Their involvement ensures that our leadership truly reflects the voice and needs of the community.

• We request a voting process to ensure a more democratic representation of the community’s needs and concerns.

7. Financial Transparency and Accountability
The financial operations of Divine Mercy Parish and Schools impact both the parish community and the educational environment of our children. As parishioners and school families, we are deeply invested in ensuring that funds are allocated responsibly, ethically, and in alignment with the needs of both the church and the school. However, there is a lack of transparency in financial decision-making, leading to confusion and concern about how parish resources are managed.

We respectfully request the following financial transparency measures:

• Detailed Financial Reports – Regularly published financial statements detailing income, expenses, and budget allocations for both the parish and school, made available to all parishioners.
• Clear Accounting for School Funds – A breakdown of how tuition, fundraising contributions, and parish subsidies are used to support the school, ensuring that financial resources directly benefit students, faculty, and school operations.
• Annual Budget Review Meetings – Open meetings where parishioners and school families can review the annual budget, ask questions, and provide input on financial priorities.
• Independent Financial Oversight – The establishment of a Finance Committee composed of elected parishioners with relevant expertise to review and provide recommendations on parish and school financial management.
• Transparency in Capital Projects – Clear disclosure of how capital campaign funds, building projects, and major expenditures are planned and executed, including a public record of project costs and financial accountability measures.
• Fair Parish Contributions to the School – A transparent and balanced approach to how parish funds support the school, ensuring that school families understand what percentage of parish income is allocated to education.
• Parish Fundraising Transparency – Full disclosure of fundraising initiatives, including how collected funds are used and ensuring that donors understand where their contributions are directed.

By implementing these financial transparency measures, Divine Mercy Parish and Schools can build trust, accountability, and a stronger sense of community engagement. Parishioners and school families deserve to know how their financial contributions are being used to support both the spiritual mission of the parish and the educational needs of our children.

We urge parish leadership to commit to financial openness and accountability as part of a broader commitment to transparency, ethical governance, and community trust.

8. Protection from Retaliation for Families Speaking Out
Many families are hesitant to voice their concerns due to fear of retaliation from leadership. Parents and staff should be able to advocate for transparency, accountability, and a stronger school community without fear of negative consequences for themselves or their children.

We request formal assurances from parish and school leadership that:

• No family, student, or faculty member will face retaliation—direct or indirect—for signing this petition or advocating for change.
• Leadership will foster an open and respectful dialogue with parishioners and school families, rather than dismissing or penalizing those who raise concerns.
• Clear whistleblower protections will be established, ensuring that any reports of retaliation are addressed fairly and without bias.

A healthy school and parish community thrives when all voices are heard without fear. We urge leadership to make a commitment to protect and respect all those who speak out in good faith to improve our Parish and School.

Why This Matters

The Divine Mercy Parish is more than just a church and a school—it is a community built on faith, trust, and shared values. However, the current decision-making structure has created frustration, division, and uncertainty about the future. Without meaningful changes, we risk losing the strong community that has made this a place of faith, education, and belonging.

If these concerns are not addressed, we fear the following consequences:

• Continued frustration among school families, leading to potential withdrawals and declining enrollment.
• Parishioners reconsidering their financial contributions due to a lack of trust in leadership.
• A school principal unable to lead effectively under restrictive oversight, leaving our children and faculty at a disadvantage.
• A divided parish community where long-time members feel unheard and disengaged.

Our Commitment

We, the undersigned, stand united in our desire for a thriving Divine Mercy Parish. We urge leadership to take these concerns seriously and commit to meaningful changes that restore faith in our parish’s future.