Mass chat: Archbishop Nienstedt leads the battle for the pro-marriage vote.

It was in yesterday's paper:  Minnesota's Bishops say amendment that would ban gay marriage is a top issue in 2012 election.
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Archbishop Nienstedt is in the forefront of this struggle and is wasting no time:

Minnesota's Roman Catholic bishops are taking the unusual step of urging parish priests across the state to form committees to help get the proposed marriage amendment passed by voters in 2012.
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"It is imperative that we marshal our resources to educate the faithful about the church's teachings on these matters, and to vigorously organize and support a grass-roots effort to get out the vote to support the passage of this amendment," Twin Cities Archbishop John Nienstedt wrote in a letter to his priests dated Oct. 4.
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The letter asks parish priests to "appoint a captain or co-chairs to lead a special parish ad hoc committee to spearhead this effort."
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Coming more than one year ahead of the November election, the move is the latest sign of the early intensity surrounding the amendment to change the state's Constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
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Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the Catholic Church in Minnesota, said the state's other bishops are expected to send out similar letters, "if they haven't already done so."
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"We believe it [marriage] is a vital social institution, and it's under attack in the courts, the Legislature and the culture," Adkins said. "And it would have profound consequences if marriage is in fact redefined. That's why we're putting extraordinary resources toward making sure this marriage amendment gets passed." - StarTribune

 So far no calls have come for a committee or chairperson to spearhead a grass roots group in my parish, although my pastor, who is very much on board with the Bishops on this issue, has been writing about Church teaching and the definition of marriage in the weekly bulletins.  Therefore, I expect some form of committee will indeed be organized sooner or later.
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I applaud the courage and leadership of the Archbishop in leading this battle, while providing such excellent catechesis and direction in the process, amidst such opposition.  My prayers for the bishops and the priests and lay faithful who support Church teaching and labor to safeguard traditional marriage and family life.