The LOOP
The Saturday Loop - January 25, 2025
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 – THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL
HEGSETH CONFIRMED AS TRUMP’S SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Trump nominee Pete Hegseth was confirmed as secretary of defense in the Senate Friday by a 51-50 vote. Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote. Hegseth underwent a contentious series of hearings before the vote, with Democrats attempting to sink his confirmation with lurid allegations that had already been investigated and dismissed.
TRUMP VISITS VICTIMS IN NORTH CAROLINA & LA, TARGETS FEMA
President Donald Trump traveled Friday to North Carolina and California to assess the performance of emergency response officials. He announced he is considering “overhauling” and “maybe even getting rid of” the Federal Emergency Management Agency due to its failure to relieve storm victims. He also plans an executive order “to open up the water valves” in California, FOX News reported.
TRUMP, VANCE ADDRESS MARCH FOR LIFE
“In my second term, we will again stand proudly for families and for life,” Trump vowed in a video address to the March for Life. He also promised the Justice Department will “finally investigate the radical left attacks on churches and crisis-pregnancy centers, and we will bring perpetrators to justice.”
TRUMP QUASHES FOREIGN & DOMESTIC TAXPAYER ABORTION FUNDING
On the day of the March for Life, Trump took two executive actions to end taxpayer funding of abortion both at home and abroad. He reinstated the Mexico City Policy, preventing federal funding of abortions overseas, and reimposed the Hyde Amendment’s protections against “forced taxpayer funding” of abortions through federal programs in the U.S.
Advertisement
HELP BUILD A CULTURE OF LIFE IN AMERICA WITH CHARITY MOBILE
Switching your cell phone service to Charity Mobile helps build a Culture of Life, supporting everything from local pregnancy centers to nationwide pro-life initiatives reaching millions. 5% of your monthly plan price goes to your favorite charity—at no extra cost! New customers can get a free phone and more with promo code LOOP. Christmas offer ends 2/2/25!
TRUMP WITHDRAWS US FROM WHO
Trump this week signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the pro-abortion World Health Organization (WHO). The White House announced the withdrawal Jan. 20, citing the WHO’s “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China,” among other controversies.
TRUMP ANNOUNCES AI-POWERED VAX PROGRAM
Tech moguls Sam Altman and Larry Ellison this week joined Trump for a press conference where the president announced “Project Stargate,” a joint venture to build AI infrastructure in the U.S. Altman and Ellison boasted that AI will be used to create “personalized” mRNA cancer shots. Numerous doctors known for exposing Big Pharma COVID shots denounced the plan.
ADMIN GETS CHARGES AGAINST WHISTLEBLOWER DOCTOR DROPPED
In response to a request from the Trump Justice Department, a federal judge dismissed a Biden administration case against a doctor who exposed an illicit child “gender” clinic in Texas. The Daily Signal noted that Dr. Eithan Haim’s victory reflects Trump’s promise to end the “weaponization” of the Justice Department.
LOOPcast
As more and more criminals are deported, Christians are having mixed feelings… is this the right thing to do? Today’s March for Life gives us much to celebrate with a pro-life president back in office. Trump calls out the Bank of America and the left’s rhetoric comes back to bite them – all this and more on the!
STOP COERCED ABORTIONS
A powerful lawsuit against Planned Parenthood and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is underway, led by brave pro-life groups. This is more than just a solitary legal battle – this is a fight for life itself. Thanks to a generous donor, your gift will be doubled – up to $500,000 – but only until Jan. 28th. Join us in protecting women, saving babies, and rewriting the legacy of Roe.
MEET THREE YOUNG WOMEN WHO ANSWERED GOD’S CALL
Three young Colorado women have answered the call to a cloistered life as Poor Clare nuns in Roswell, New Mexico. One of them is Mary Kroner, a former writer for CatholicVote, who entered the order in January 2025.
JALAPEÑO POPPER MAC & CHEESE
If you’re having a bad day, you need jalapeño popper mac and cheese. If it’s an especially cold day, you need jalapeño popper mac and cheese. If it’s game day… if you’re a woman trying to find her way into a man’s heart… if you’re a man trying to find his way into a woman’s heart… you get the point.
HOBBIES TO BOOST COMMUNITY
Hobbies aren’t always about trying to master a skill. Sometimes it’s an outlet for creative expression. Sometimes it’s a way to get friends or family together. Here are a bunch of free workshops from Magnolia: cooking, entertaining, floral arranging, painting, and gardening.
VERITATIS SPLENDOR PROJECT SEEKS REVITALIZATION
Veritatis Splendor, an ambitious Catholic community development project, is entering a new phase of revitalization after years of progress that has only inched along. The mission of the project, which is located near Tyler, Texas, is to create a “vibrant, faith-centered community that nurtures both spiritual growth and sustainable living.”
CATHOLIC 101
Our society – and even some Catholics – offer us mixed messages about the reality of “sins of the flesh” and how they affect our relationship with God. But St. Paul minces no words. Willfully persisting in sinful lifestyles leads only to destruction. Msgr. Charles Pope explains.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. It happened as Saul (his original name) was on the road to Damascus to arrest Christians and take them back to Jerusalem for trial. On the road, he was met with a blinding light and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
SATURDAY'S PSALM
“Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.” (Mark 16:15)
SATURDAY'S READINGS
Saturday's Mass readings.
SUNDAY’S PSALM
“Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.” (John 6:63)
SUNDAY’S READINGS
Sunday's Mass readings.
ARTWORK
“The Conversion of Saint Paul” is a 16th-century oil painting by an unknown artist. It shows a grand-scale depiction of the moment the future Apostle to the Gentiles is knocked off his horse after seeing the glory of Christ.