JOIN THE EFFORT TO PROTECT MARRIAGE IN PENNSYLVANIA:

ACTION ALERT! - Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops applaud the March 18 successful vote of SB 1250, the Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment, in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) is among the strongest supporters of the measure.

The bi-partisan list of Judiciary Committee members who supported the bill includes: Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery); Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson); Sen. John Gordner (R-Northumberland); Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny); Sen. Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin); Sen. John Rafferty (R-Chester); Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton); Sen. Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia); Sen. Barry Stout (D-Washington); and Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango).

SB 1250 will be considered now in the Senate Appropriations Committee before being voted on the Senate floor and in the House of Representatives.  To amend the state constitution, the bill must be passed in two consecutive sessions of the legislature then put on the ballot as a referendum for the voters.

Citizens are encouraged to visit, call, write or e-mail their state senators and urge them to vote "yes" on SB 1250 without amendments.

Ask your friends, family and neighbors to do the same.  Every voice makes a difference.

Visit www.pacatholic.org/marriage/ for other resources to help concerned Catholics speak up for marriage.

THE DARR MINE DISASTER: AN OnQ SPECIAL EDITION

WQED-TV, the Pittsburgh Public Television station, has made their 28-minute episode on the Darr Mine Disaster available for viewing – free – on the internet on the station’s “on demand” site.

The documentary includes interviews with several local residents about the Dec. 19, 1907 tragedy near Jacobs Creek, Pa. that claimed the lives of 239 miners. Hundreds of others, mostly Carpatho-Rusyns, who gave up a day’s wages to observe the Feast of St. Nicholas (according to the Julian Calendar), were spared.

The Darr Mine Disaster: An OnQ Special Edition is available online at www.wqed.org/ondemand/onq.php?id=231 .

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES

The Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania have issued guidance on what every Catholic should know about Advance Health Care Directives and have provided a combined Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney form. Click on the links below to view and/or print.

• What you should know about Advance Health Care Directives

• Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney

A limited number of Advance Health Care Directives booklets are available. To request a copy, write or e-mail the Communications Office:

Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh

Office of Communications

66 Riverview Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15214