The LOOP
The Thursday Loop - January 2, 2025
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2 – HAPPY NEW YEAR!
NEW ORLEANS TRUCK ATTACK KILLS AT LEAST 15
An armed man driving a white truck plowed into a large crowd on New Orleans Wednesday morning, killing at least 15 and injuring many more. The driver then exited the vehicle and opened fire before being killed by police. Authorities are investigating the incident as a terrorist attack, and the attacker, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, had an ISIS flag and several improvised explosive devices in his vehicle.
CYBERTRUCK EXPLODES AT TRUMP VEGAS HOTEL
“Law enforcement officials are investigating a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded in front of a Trump hotel in Las Vegas as a possible act of terrorism,” The Daily Wire reports. “The driver was killed and several people in the vicinity were injured.”
FRANCIS DEFENDS SANCTITY OF LIFE IN FIRST HOMILY OF 2025
Pope Francis defended the dignity of human life in his first homily of 2025, calling on Catholics to entrust the year to Mary, the Mother of God. Francis called “for a firm commitment to respect for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, so that each person may cherish his or her own life and all may look with hope to the future.”
WHY WE CELEBRATE MARY, MOTHER OF GOD ON JANUARY 1
The Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God (January 1) celebrates Our Lady on the last day of the Christmas Octave. This Solemnity recognizing Mary’s divine maternity affirms a dogma central to the Christian understanding of the Incarnation: that Jesus is One Person Who has both a divine nature and a human nature.
CATHOLIC OPERA SINGER TO HONOR ST. MOTHER TERESA
A Catholic soprano opera singer is set to offer her great talent in a tribute concert to St. Mother Teresa during a February show in New York.
NATIONAL SHRINE IN DC TO BE 2025 PILGRIMAGE DESTINATION
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., has been designated as a special pilgrimage destination during the 2025 Jubilee of Hope. The decision means faithful Catholics who make pilgrimages to the Shrine can obtain a Jubilee Year Indulgence.
DECEMBER HEROES & ZEROES
While December’s edition of Heroes and Zeroes is dedicated to announcing the winner of our Hero of the Year tournament, we couldn’t let these December honorable mentions go unnoticed! to the end of this email to see who you chose as CatholicVote’s 2024 Hero of the Year!
VISIT OUR PROMOTED PARTNER:
ARCHBISHOP CELEBRATES ‘WOMEN OF THE YEAR’
Archbishop Emeritus Charles Chaput of Philadelphia has a list of “women of the year” who embody the “feminine genius” ultimately exemplified by Our Lady. The first on his list? Mary FioRito, a pro-life heroine and “an exemplar of committed—and effective—Christian service.” all about Mary and other outstanding women here.
FAITH CAME TO GERMANY EARLIER THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT
A silver amulet discovered in an ancient German grave has confirmed that Christians settled in the area in the early-to-mid-third century. The faith was previously thought to have dated back only to the fourth century, but the discovery and subsequent testing of the amulet changed the timeline by as many as 100 years.
HOW TO CHOOSE A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
The New Year is a time for resolutions to help us live more authentically human lives. Maybe we want to heal emotionally this year. Maybe we have physical goals. Or perhaps we’re seeking a new appreciation for the things of the spirit. The Refine staff has some key tips (and suggestions!) for embracing 2025!
CATHOLIC 101
Catholics call the Virgin Mary by many names – Queen of Angels, Refuge of Sinners, etc. But have you ever heard the term "the New Eve"? Why would Mary be associated with the Eve of Genesis, especially since it was through Eve that sin entered the world?
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. Basil the Great (330-379) was born to a pious family in Anatolia and was surrounded by holiness from a young age. After working as a professor, he visited monasteries around the known world and subsequently returned to found his own monastery in Pontus. There he wrote a rule of life for the monks, and later became known as the Father of Oriental Monasticism, the forerunner of St. Benedict.
DAILY PSALM
“All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.” (Psalm 98:3)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
HERO OF THE YEAR
Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker is CatholicVote’s 2024! Thanks to all who voted!