[StBernard] Pray Tomorrow

[Westley Annis]

This is an excellent idea.  Imagine the power of all our voices raised in
prayer for our nation. 
 
Michelle

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	Dear CatholicVote.org Member,

	If you spend any time on the Internet or watch television news these
days, the number of threats and crises can seem overwhelming.  Our
government is spending trillions of borrowed dollars, while proposing huge
changes in how it will control our economy, health care, and other areas of
our national life.

	In the midst of these broad changes, a number of specific and
important battles are occurring.  The new Congress and Obama administration
are proposing policies that will impact human life, workers rights of
conscience, taxpayer freedoms, and the list goes on.  Each day brings a new
challenge and focal point, and it may seem hard to keep up.

	We are closely following each of these issues, and could responsibly
send you a 'call to action' or update every few hours.  A number of very
good organizations are working tirelessly to respond to each new threat, and
we applaud them.  In many cases, CatholicVote.org is working alongside these
groups, and we encourage you to stay as active as possible.  The threats are
real, and require our utmost attention and vigilance.

	Tomorrow in San Francisco, yet another critical issue hangs in the
balance.  The California Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on
whether to void the Marriage Amendment passed by an overwhelming majority of
California voters last November.

	CatholicVote.org is especially interested in this court case because
it goes to the heart of what we are all about.  During the Election last
fall, we mobilized concerned citizens to vote their conscience.  We produced
a short video that became one of the most watched videos on the Internet for
the entire election cycle, viewed by millions of Americans.

	Can you guess which state where our video was most popular?  Yes, it
was California.  Our analytics software shows that nearly 500,000 people in
California watched our election film on their computers.  And hundreds of
thousands more watched it in their churches, and at their football stadium
(yes, our video was broadcast at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego during The
Call prayer rally!).

	Why does this matter?  Because if there is anything that we have
accomplished over the past six months, it has been an awakening of
conscience for many Americans.  We have worked to both inspire and educate
voters with media campaigns that speak to people's minds and hearts.  We
worked to reach out to both Republicans and Democrats.  Catholics and
Protestants.  Every American with a conscience.  And tens of thousands
responded by telling us how much our work has impacted them - including how
they voted.

	In California, we are hopeful that our efforts played a role,
however small, in the success of the marriage amendment passed last
November.

	In fact, we are so concerned about protecting the impact of our
work, and the wishes of California voters, that we filed an important legal
brief in this case on behalf of you - the supporters of CatholicVote.org.
Our main point was simple: Marriage is a fundamental institution that
society must protect.  And when it does, as voters did in California, judges
must respect the result.

	In fact, at stake is not only the institution of marriage, but also
self-government. Prior to the vote, California judges overturned the state's
marriage laws without any vote in the Legislature. But the people fought
back and amended their Constitution to affirm the special role of marriage
in society.

	Arguing on behalf of the pro-marriage coalition is a former U.S.
Solicitor General. And the Court must hand down a decision within 90 days.

	CatholicVote.org urges all of its supporters and friends to pray
tomorrow for the defense of marriage in California.  California is the most
populous state in our union and it has often been a trendsetter. This case
is extremely important. Please ask your friends and family to pray!
	
	

	Thank you, 

	Brian Burch
	CatholicVote.org

	 

	P.S. Last week we rolled out some new web advertising for our latest
ad, including a prominent ad that ran on the Drudge Report.  In less than 8
hours, over 40,000 viewers clicked through to watch our ad.  The advertising
representative told us it was one of the highest "click-through rates" he
had ever seen.  We plan to be more aggressive in advertising online as we
grow.  Our new website and next ad are also in production and will be ready
soon.  Stay tuned!

	As always, we rely 100% on members like you for support.  If you
want to chip in and help, click here
<http://paracom.paramountcommunication.com/ct/2875518:3661313854:m:1:1220022
22:A5785B5F7E13AF86FF39F75023D899A4> .