I hate leaving my middle-of-nowhere farmhouse and schlepping down to Pittsburgh. I have to  when a family member needs to see a medical specialist,airport runs,  and then maybe once more per year to the zoo or museum. Interstates–yuck! Parking garages–ouch! My city aversion even trumps my love of fashion, so the J.C.Penney at our tiny local mall is about as high end as my  shopping sprees get.

But tomorrow I’ll be doing a four-hour round trip on the horrible highways to join the (hopefully) thousands at the Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally. Besides getting mad, sad, and scared at what is happening in this country, there is not much else we can do besides signing every petition in sight, contacting our congressmen, and praying like crazy. So, big pain in the neck as it is, it seems necessary to at least help to swell the crowds that are gathering everywhere tomorrow.

Here’s the details:

Concerned citizens in Pittsburgh are joining others all over the Country in staging a STAND UP FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RALLY at Noon on Friday, March 23.

The Pittsburgh rally will be held at:

The Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA

(setup at corner of Liberty Ave., 10^th St and Wm Penn Pl.)

on Friday, March 23 from Noon to 1PM

Parking available in garage at 55 11^th St. (Liberty & Penn Aves & 12^th St)

One block from the Federal Building

 This peaceful rally will include guest speakers, print signs and handouts. More info on the HHS Mandate is at http://StandUpForReligiousFreedom.com http://g.co/maps/ssk5a

I hope any western Pennsylanians who read this will be there.( I’ll be wearing khaki pants, a red top, and a black&white floral jacket. And eyeglasses.) I hope the rest of you schlep over to  the nearest rally in your state.

Daria Sockey is a freelance writer from western Pennsylvania. Her articles have appeared in many Catholic publications. She authored several of the original Ignatius Press Faith and Life catechisms in the 1980s, and more recently wrote five study guides for saints' lives DVDs distributed by Ignatius Press. She now writes regularly for the newly revamped Catholic Digest. Her newest book, The Everyday Catholic's Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours, will be published by Servant Books this spring. Feel Free to email her at thesockeys@gmail.com