The LOOP
The Tuesday Loop - January 14, 2025
ABBOTT ORDERS FLAGS FLOWN AT FULL-STAFF FOR INAUGURATION
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered for American flags to fly full-staff on Jan. 20th, the date President-elect Donald Trump will begin his second term in office. The governor’s order directly conflicts with an order issued two weeks earlier by outgoing President Joe Biden that all flags remain at half-staff in mourning of the late President Jimmy Carter until the 28th.
FLORIDA SCHOOL CHOICE MEASURES PROVE SUCCESSFUL
Nearly a million-and-a-half Florida students are currently benefiting from the state’s school choice initiatives – including the half-million using the state’s voucher program. Citing that massive success in education, Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is now calling on federal lawmakers to pass universal school choice legislation nationwide. Trump has been highly supportive of the school choice cause.
POPE FRANCIS CONSOLES, PRAYS FOR LOS ANGELES
Pope Francis sent a letter to Los Angeles Archbishop José Gómez expressing his solidarity with victims of the ongoing fires. “Entrusting the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, His Holiness sends heartfelt condolences to those who mourn their loss,” the letter in part.
HOUSE CONSIDERS BILL TO PROTECT WOMEN’S SPORTS
The House is scheduled to consider a bill this week that would protect female athletes from having to compete against males in girls’ and women’s sports. The text of the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act” states: “Sex shall be recognized based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”
DISCOVER THE CATHOLIC APPROACH TO FITNESS WITH HYPURO FIT
Transform your fitness journey with Hypuro Fit, the world’s first Catholic personal training and nutrition coaching company. Our mission? To help you grow in self-mastery through 1:1 coaching or guided programs designed for your life. Our faith-driven coaches will motivate and guide you to achieve your fitness goals through the lens of faith. Start your journey to a stronger, more energized you today!
800th ANNIVERSARY OF ST. FRANCIS’ FAMOUS CANTICLE
Franciscans and the Catholic faithful celebrated the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s famous hymn “Canticle of Creatures” on Jan. 11. Commemorations took place at three different locations: the Sanctuary of San Damiano, the Sanctuary of the Renunciation in Assisi, and the saint’s tomb in the Basilica of Saint Francis.
LOOPcast
As LA burns, illegal immigrants take advantage of the chaos. JD Vance slams them for it, and the media roast him. As the U.S. prepares for Trump to take office, three notable individuals jump ship. Mel Gibson and Joe Rogan talk Catholicism, and the left hates America. All this and more on the!
VISIT OUR PROMOTED PARTNER:
SENATOR: NO ‘BLANK CHECK’ FOR CALIFORNIA AFTER FIRES GOP
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming stated clearly Sunday that while the situation in southern California during the wildfires is “heartbreaking” and devastating for people of all economic sectors, the federal government cannot provide a “blank check” in response to requests from state elected officials.
DOCTORS SUE SOUTH CAROLINA OVER PRO-LIFE LAW
Five physicians in South Carolina recently filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act, arguing that its provisions violate their religious freedom. The plaintiffs claim the pro-life law’s exceptions aren’t enough, and force them to withhold what they describe as “abortion care” from patients.
RESTING IN GOD
Our souls are restless until they rest in God. To rest in God, we need communion with Him: prayer and contemplation especially. These in turn give us what we need to go on day after day in a way that is meaningful, fulfilling, and free of anxiety. But how do busy people like us accomplish this rest in God if we can’t, say, spend hours a day in a quiet, contemplative setting the way monastics do?
CATHOLIC 101
Do the saints need our veneration? No, they already enjoy the eternal bliss of Heaven. But when we venerate the saints, it helps us. When we celebrate their feast days, pray for their intercession, or venerate their statues, it helps us long to be united with them and Our Lord in Heaven and to follow their example here on Earth.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Called to the priestly vocation from a very early age, Bl. Peter Donders (1809-1887) was ordained in 1841 and immediately embarked on a mission to Suriname in South America, which was then a colony of his native Netherlands. There, he spent several decades spreading the Good News to enslaved people and lepers. He joined the Redemptorist order in 1867.
DAILY PSALM
“You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.” (Psalm 8:7)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
DEVOTION
Faith in action. Watch the Baltimore Ravens’ Catholic head coach, John Harbaugh, lead the team in the Lord’s Prayer after their AFC North win.