From Sr. Lucy Marie, SV, the archdiocesan pro-life coordinator:

Dear Friends,

On May 22nd the New York State Assembly voted in favor of redefining marriage. The beautiful gift of marriage as the sacred union of man and woman, our religious freedoms, authentic family life and our children are once again under great attack. The Senate may vote on this issue in the next three weeks — so it is essential that we take action immediately to show them our support for the real definition of marriage.

Join us Tuesday, June 9th for the “Stand 4 Marriage Rally” in Albany. The Family Life/Respect Life Office is sponsoring a FREE bus (through the generosity of the Knights of Columbus). The bus departs at 7:15am from St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. Donations will be welcome toward the driver cost.

The Rally is an ecumenical effort put on by New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms. Already tentatively scheduled to attend are Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr. of the High Impact Leadership Coalition, State Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long, and many pro-family legislators. The New York State Catholic Conference has encouraged our attendance on one of their recent Action Alerts against Same Sex “Marriage.” 

The rally begins at 10:30 AM and lasts until 12:30 PM.

After 12:30 PM, attendees are strongly encouraged to go in the State Capitol and let our legislators know that there is tremendous support for the traditional definition of marriage throughout the State of New York. Some attendees will be participating in prayer rallies at each of the four corners of Capitol as well.

Lunch can be purchased (or bring it) while in Albany, and we expect to depart at 2:30pm.

RSVP by email - seats are limited.

If you are in the upper counties and wish to drive please join us there as well!

And of course, let us continue to keep this in our prayers.

God bless you.

Sr. Lucy Marie
Respect Life Coordinator
Archdiocese of New York
1011 First Ave., 7th Floor
New York, NY 10022
646-794-3192
Mon-Thurs 9:45am-4:45pm

UPDATE (6/3/09):

From Sr. Lucy:

Our bus to Albany for the “Rally 4 Marriage” is almost filled, and the Knights of Columbus have generously provided a second bus.

Both buses will depart from Dunwoodie, Seminary in Yonkers (201 Seminary Ave) at 7:00am - new time adjustment and there are 2 separate second stop pickups.

* Sacred Heart Church, 301 Ann Street, Newburgh. Bishop Lagronegro will celebrate Mass upon arrival - approx 8:15am - and pick up new passengers.
* St. Patrick Church, 137 Moseman Road, Yorktown Heights. Mass will be celebrated upon arrival at approx 8:00am and pick up new passengers.

RSVP if you wish to attend and please indicate location of pickup - either Yonkers (7am), Newburgh (8:15am), or Yorktown Heights (8am). Please reply by email - I am not able to take all the phone calls that are coming in.

FYI - Our New York State Bishops Conference is now headed up by Archbishop Dolan.  Just today it released a statement on Marriage.