Last week, the Massachusetts legislature failed to respond to the expressed will of the people, denying them the right to vote on the future of marriage in that state. This week, same sex couples are getting married in San Francisco by the thousands in direct violation of California law and the courts refuse to issue an injunction to stop it. We are facing judicial tyranny in our country and the people's voices are being muted by powerful special interest that want to redefine the family, the bedrock of our society, for their own purposes. All is not gloom and doom as this issue is causing Catholic across the country to spring into action to meet this challenge. Finally! But is it too late? No.

There is much work to be done in Massachusetts and California and every state in between. Action items are below, but first, let's look at what we accomplished together.

With your determined participation, Your Catholic Voice in just two short weeks sponsored the largest Catholic rally in recent Boston history to support a state constitutional amendment to affirm and protect marriage in this state. Additionally we worked closely with the Massachusetts Catholic Conference helping organize parishes and Catholics throughout the state to contact their state senators and house members. We spoke at Churches, met with many legislators personally and did numerous media interviews from Time Magazine to Fox national news. We even brought our message to the attention of the World News Hour on BBC. Massachusetts Catholics responded, as did thousands of others around the country.

The Catholic Church, YCV and other pro-marriage and pro-family groups were up against the biased and powerful media establishment of Boston. At first only four elected officials were inclined to stand up and be counted on this issue, but after thousands of phone calls, emails, letters and personal contacts, we began to have an impact. Ultimately we fell just a few votes short. Attacks against faithful Catholics and YCV were relentless and vicious.

First round, the Massachusetts legislature decided to side with powerful special interests in not letting the people vote. But we are not finished yet because the Massachusetts legislature is reconvening on March 11 for another attempt to let people vote on protection of marriage and the family.

In California, not only is anarchy reigning on marriage and the family, a bill has been introduced in the legislature to change marriage to a civil contract between any two people. Both states are sending a clear message that the only way to really protect marriage as a union of one man and one woman is through the Federal Marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. If you have not already done so, please sign the petition in support of the Federal Marriage Amendment. CLICK HERE

Send this email to family, friends and neighbors who share your values and ask them to join you in this effort.

The battle for respect for our values, our Church and our nation has just begun. It will continue through the Presidential election and beyond, and will be about as difficult as any challenge. With Church leaders, including our Pope, lay Catholics must fight back by speaking out and getting involved in this important public fight. Massachusetts Catholics are leading the way, demonstrating that they are willing to join and work together and generate the kind of lay Catholic action that will meet that challenge. But we need more concerned and committed Catholics

We are going to stand up and continue to raise our voices on issues to protect the family, fight for the dignity of every human life, defend unalienable human rights and advocate for the poor and vulnerable. We are proud, confidant and determined Catholics. Join with us in this effort.

Please start now and help us continue the necessary fight for our faith, culture and country. Send this to at least five people you think would be willing to join you and ask them to sign the petition in support of the federal marriage amendment.

Raymond L. Flynn
President
Your Catholic Voice

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