The LOOP
The Saturday Loop - January 11, 2025
TRUMP SENTENCED, ‘HUSH MONEY’ CASE ENDS
President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced to “unconditional discharge” Friday. The sentence means that Trump will face no jail time, fines, or other penalties in connection with a highly controversial and unprecedented May 2024 conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
LAKEN RILEY ACT ADVANCES IN SENATE
The Laken Riley Act, a measure aimed at reducing illegal immigrant crime, took a major step toward becoming law Thursday, when the Senate voted 84-9 to break the filibuster and begin debate on the legislation. A majority of Senate Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, voted to advance the bill to debate.
CATHOLIC CHURCH BURNS DOWN IN LOS ANGELES
The fires that continue to ravage southern California have destroyed Corpus Christi Catholic Church in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. The fires have also forced at least 90 Catholic schools to close. CBS News reported that at least 10 people have been killed, 10,000 buildings destroyed, and 300,000 residents put under evacuation orders or warnings.
LA FIRE OFFICIALS PUSHED ‘WOKE’ POLICIES AHEAD OF FAILED RESPONSE
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is facing backlash for prioritizing “woke” personnel and training policies ahead of its failing response to the deadly fires. LAFD Assistant Chief Kristine Larson touted her LGBTQ identity in a resurfaced video, dismissing citizens’ concerns that she might be unable to rescue men in fire emergencies. “[Your husband] got himself in the wrong place if I have to carry him out of a fire,” she joked.
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ZUCKERBERG REVEALS BIDEN ADMIN PUSHED FOR COVID CENSORSHIP
Mark Zuckerberg told podcast host Joe Rogan yesterday that the Biden administration had pressured social media platforms to censor posts about the controversial Biden-backed COVID shots. “They basically pushed us and said anything that says that vaccines might have side effects, you need to take down,” Zuckerberg said.
JD VANCE OFFICIALLY RESIGNS FROM SENATE SEAT
Vice-President-elect JD Vance has resigned from his office as senator, a position to which he was elected in 2022. Vance is set to take the oath of office as vice president January 20th – a week from this coming Monday.
DC DOMINICAN PRIORY TO HAVE NEW BELL INSTALLED
After 120 years without a bell in its bell tower, the priory at the Washington, D.C.-based Dominican House of Studies is finally going to have one. Fr. Gregory Schnakenberg, OP, gave CatholicVote the inside story – as well as an explanation of the Catholic theology of Church bells.
HOW TO HELP VICTIMS OF THE FIRES
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has outlined several ways to aid those who have lost their homes, schools, and livelihoods to the horrific fires affecting Southern California.
LOOPcast
As the LA fires rage on, people look for someone to blame and choose… climate change? We talk victims and perpetrators, Trump’s new felon status, and beauty in the ashes. TikTok is on the chopping block and may be saved by a shark. Finally, imagine Jimmy Carter as a communist...
COCONUT SALMON BOWLS
Here’s a great meal to throw into your meatless Friday rotation. It works great as lunch or dinner. Plus you can swap out ingredients for things you already have in your fridge.
AN EPIPHANY ABOUT EPIPHANY
After a rehearsal of “A Christmas Carol,” one of the cast members shouted “Merry Christmas!” at the top of his voice to the audience that was not yet there. It got a fellow cast member thinking about the drama of Christmas and the importance of its audience. And then she had.
2 TIPS FOR PRAYING THE ROSARY
We can’t underestimate the power of the Rosary, as Mary herself urged St. Dominic to “preach it” during a time of great crisis in the Church. She later enumerated, to Alanus de Rupe, 15 promises for those who pray the Rosary. But sometimes it’s still so difficult to make a habit of praying it. So here are two helpful tips.
WHEN KIDS WORK THE NEIGHBORHOOD
How often do we see neighborhood kids shoveling driveways, mowing lawns, and picking up other sorts of neighborhood jobs? It’s not so common anymore, but it deserves to become a thriving little industry again. Besides earning kids a few bucks, these odd jobs benefit the community in a variety of ways. Here’s how.
CATHOLIC 101
If the Eucharist is both the highway and the vehicle to holiness, sacramentals can help us put the pedal to the medal! If we’re talking about “preparation,” sacramentals don’t do what the sacraments do, but rather prepare us to get the most out of the sacraments and to be receptive to God’s grace in the daily events of our lives. Here are five sacramentals that you’ll find really effective.
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. Theodosius (423-529) made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where he became inspired to live a life of holiness and self-denial. He entered a monastery, seeking a community and a superior who would guide him to holiness. Through obedience, he was compelled to take over the care of a church in the Holy Land and was eventually appointed patriarch of Jerusalem.
SATURDAY'S PSALM
“The Lord takes delight in his people.” (Psalm 149:4)
SATURDAY'S READINGS
Saturday's Mass readings.
SUNDAY’S PSALM
“The Lord will bless his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11)
SUNDAY’S READINGS
Sunday's Mass readings.
ANSWER TO THE TRIVIA
Chasuble
REVIVAL
Incredible transformation! Check out the before and after shots of St. John the Evangelist Church in Lambertville, New Jersey.