The tools to make a positive change are in hands of bishop

The following letters to the editor appears in today's edition of the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader.

Change. It appears to be inevitable in all of our lives.

Change is often unwelcome, often inconceivable and almost always extremely difficult. It can, however, define who we are. Whether the change is bringing home a new baby, losing a job, going through a divorce, or changing schools, it is how we act and react to this new situation that people will ultimately have reason to judge us.

Personally I have had to swallow a great deal of change recently, and it is only through my faith that I was able to handle it all. Change is not easy to say the least, but I learned very early in life that sometimes you have to fight for what is right.

As a Roman Catholic in the Scranton Diocese, a graduate of Bishop Hoban High School, a graduate of King’s College, and a single parent, I would implore you, Bishop Joseph Martino, to please at least offer the teachers a vote on whether or not they want to unionize.

I have three children in the Holy Redeemer school system and don’t want to see them not attending the schools that I have fought so hard to keep them in. As a parent, I am asking you to please settle this matter expeditiously. You are the leader of Christ’s flock in this area and, as such, you are the one man who has the capability to change the current situation.

I need you to be a role model of the Catholic faith to my children. I have tried to teach my children that faith is not something you can blindly preach; it is something that must be lived every day. It is helping your neighbor, living the commandments and being kind to one another. Faith should never be reduced to name-calling and ultimatums.

I realize you are new to this area, and so I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you truly believe you are doing the appropriate thing for our schools. However, in my opinion, it is time to put aside your pride, admit that perhaps there is another way to deal with the teachers and give all of us who support the teachers’ efforts a voice.

Changing your opinion will not be seen as a weakness but rather a willingness to heal your broken flock. Your change will no doubt be difficult and perhaps even unwelcome to some people; but it is necessary.

Your change will impact all of your faithful, and I beg of you to consider it.

Claire M. Wert Wilkes-Barre