In the coming year, the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) would like to make it easier for you to make your views heard ... 

Right now, if you go to the PCC's Web site, you can look up your local, state and federal legislators by zip code.  Then, directly from the Web site, you can e-mail your legislator or create a customized letter to print out and mail.  You can also send your message to local newspapers, radio and television stations.

In the coming year, the PCC will be expanding the use of this portion of its Web site to include specific legislative alerts on a variety of issues of importance to the Pennsylvania bishops.  There will be customizable messages to make your task even simpler.

SOURCE:  Adapted from "E-Mail Your Legislator This Year," in The Catholic Standard and Times, Jan. 10, 2002.  Commentary by Carolyn Astfalk, Communications Director for the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference.