The LOOP
The Thursday Loop - January 16, 2025
TRUMP TEAM BROKERS ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE DEAL
Israel and Hamas have reportedly reached a ceasefire and hostage release deal that will go into effect the day before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Arab officials said Trump’s team directly oversaw the negotiations, “doing more to sway” Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “in a single sit-down than outgoing President Joe Biden did all year.”
MED STUDENTS CREATE AI FOR PRO-ABORTION TRAINING
Medical students from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston created an artificial intelligence (AI) simulator to practice “counseling” women to abort their unborn children. The students reportedly created it in response to Texas’ pro-life legislation meant to protect the unborn against those who “aid and abet” in abortions of babies after their heartbeats can be detected.
AG NOMINEE PAM BONDI: FBI TARGETING CATHOLICS ‘MUST STOP’
Attorney general nominee Pam Bondi told lawmakers at her Wednesday confirmation hearing that she would put an end to what she called the “weaponization” of the Department of Justice and FBI against Catholics, pro-life Americans, and others. “Going after parents at a school board meeting has got to stop,” Bondi said. “For practicing your religion – sending informants into Catholic churches must stop.”
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DID AN INCREDIBLE CATHOLIC BLESSING SAVE THIS HOME FROM FIRE?
Have you seen this incredible photo—and have you heard about the amazing story behind it? A man returned from evacuation to find countless homes burnt to the ground. However, his home remained untouched by the fires. He now accredits a simple act of Faith to why his home remained standing. Now, see how you might be able to protect your home & family too.
SUPREME COURT HEARS PRO-PORN CASE vs. CHILD PROTECTION LAW
The Supreme Court Wednesday heard oral arguments in the case of Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton, which could decide the fate of a Texas law protecting children from explicit online content. The bipartisan age-verification law passed the Texas legislature by a near-unanimous vote in 2023 with only one lawmaker, a Democrat, in opposition.
FDA BANS CONTROVERSIAL RED DYE TIED TO CANCER
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Wednesday that it is banning artificial food coloring Red No. 3 after studies linked the dye to cancer in animals. The dye, made from petroleum, was banned from cosmetics in 1990. It is still used in candies, drinks, and other foods, however.
LOOPcast
Protestors, invasion, moral high ground… Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearings are wild! Meanwhile, Americans sell their data to Chinese communists over potentially banned cat videos, and red dye 3 is ACTUALLY banned. Bishop Barron is starting a religious order and we talk about how we should not talk about Andrew Tate. All this and more on the!
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VIRGINIA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE PRO-ABORTION AMENDMENT
The Virginia House of Delegates advanced a proposed amendment aimed at enshrining abortion in the state constitution. House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) decried the amendment as “the most extreme abortion measure in the nation and possibly the civilized world.”
2 HOUSE DEMS JOIN GOP TO PASS WOMEN’S SPORTS PROTECTION
The House bill to protect female athletes from being forced to compete against males in girls’ and women’s sports passed Tuesday with two Democrats supporting the bill. Texas Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez were the only Democrats to vote in favor. “As Democrats, we should not be afraid to vote our district’s values because we’re afraid of Washington,” said Gonzalez.
SHOULD PREACHERS BE ANGRY?
There are many famous “fire and brimstone” preachers of history. They were often pretty angry. Is this a sign of their zeal for the Lord? Their passion for truth? Here’s a look at St. John Chrysostom and the place anger should have (or shouldn’t!) in the role of a preacher.
CATHOLIC 101
The devil has the motto “Divide and conquer.” Benedictines have the motto “That in all things God may be glorified.” It's not just the Benedictines, either. Many of the Church’s prayers contain a unifying theme. here to learn St. Benedict's ancient advice on gossip and how it divides.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Pope St. Marcellus (c. 255 - 309) became pontiff after the last of the persecutions by Emperor Diocletian in 308. The Church had been so disrupted that Rome had been without a bishop for several years. The Church was in great confusion when St. Marcellus began his papacy. The clergy had been scattered and only practiced their vocation in hiding.
DAILY PSALM
“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Psalm 95:8)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
ARTWORK
“Girl Adorns the Virgin Mary with a Rose” (1836) by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller is a delightful painting of a young girl pausing in her daily activities to honor Our Lady at a wayside shrine. VIEW