The LOOP
The Tuesday Loop - January 21, 2025
TRUMP SWORN IN AS 47th PRESIDENT
Monday at noon, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, and JD Vance was sworn in as Vice President. From the U.S. Capitol rotunda, Trump delivered a rousing inauguration speech in which he vowed to usher in a new “golden age” of the country’s history.
10 DAY-ONE EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT MATTER TO CATHOLICS
President Donald Trump issued a number of executive orders on Day One of his second term in the White House. He discussed some of them in his inaugural speech, and also outlined more that he plans to sign in his first week. Here are ten that are of particular interest.
POPE FRANCIS SENDS BLESSINGS TO TRUMP
Pope Francis yesterday offered prayers and blessings to Trump on the occasion of his inauguration. “I invoke upon you, your family, and the beloved American people an abundance of divine blessings,” the pope wrote in part.
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BIDEN ISSUES NUMEROUS LAST-MINUTE PARDONS
In his final act as president, Joe Biden pre-emptively pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Army General Mark Milley, members of the House Jan. 6th Committee, and several Biden family members whose names frequently came up in connection with investigations into the Biden family’s controversial business dealings.
TRUMP PARDONS ALMOST ALL JAN 6 DEFENDANTS
Trump late Monday pardoned about 1,500 people who had been charged in connection to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. In doing so, Trump fulfilled a campaign promise just hours after he assumed office to begin his second term.
CATHOLIC CLERGY OPENED AND CLOSED INAUGURATION WITH PRAYER
Trump’s presidential inauguration ceremony began and ended with prayers led by Catholic clergymen. Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Fr. Frank Mann, a retired Brooklyn-based priest and friend of President Donald Trump, offered the prayers for Trump and Vance.
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PLEDGE YOUR PRAYERS FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATION
Join our Spiritual Bouquet asking for God’s inspiration, protection, and blessing on the Trump-Vance administration. We made it easy to pledge your prayers (and we’ll remind you of your pledge). You can add a personal message if you wish. The Spiritual Bouquet will be sent to the White House on January 25th (the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul).
AMERICA’S DECLINE IS OVER
“From this moment on, America's decline is over,” President Trump triumphantly declared to thunderous applause during his inauguration speech. WATCH AND SHARE
SENATE CONFIRMS RUBIO AS SECRETARY OF STATE
In a unanimous 99-0 vote, the Senate confirmed Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL, as Secretary of State Monday evening, just hours after Trump was sworn in. Rubio is Trump’s first cabinet nominee to be confirmed.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD’S CECILE RICHARDS DEAD AT 67
Former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards died yesterday after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer. She was 67. Pro-life leaders, including Lila Rose and Jeanne Mancini, publicly offered prayers that God would have mercy on Richards’ soul.
GENESIS: REALITY vs. MYTH
Is the Genesis story just another creation myth like countless others? For Christians who accept the story, there is still debate over the details. Was the universe literally created in six days? Was there an actual physical garden or is that symbolic? This article shows how the Genesis story refutes creation myths and returns to reality.
CATHOLIC 101
What exactly is a Catholic parent's role in religious education? Jessica Ptomey addresses two errors that inhibit both parents and catechists. Don't fall into these traps!
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. Agnes (291-304) had promised herself to Christ as a virgin, but her extreme beauty made many men desire her. Agnes loved God and her vocation above all else, however, and refused every man who asked to marry her. “I am already promised to the Lord of the Universe,” she reportedly told one suitor. Agnes was eventually beheaded after refusing to renounce her faith.
DAILY PSALM
“The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.” (Psalm 111:5)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
GOD AND GOD ALONE
Fr. Frank Mann delivered the closing benediction at the presidential inauguration, saying: “Americans kneel to God and to God alone.”