The LOOP
The Monday Loop - February 3, 2025
ARLINGTON BISHOP: CHURCH SUPPORTS BORDER CONTROL
A leading American bishop offered important clarity on immigration in a Friday pastoral letter. Deportation and border enforcement can be justified and moral, argued Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia. Contrary to some voices in the Church, he explained that Catholics “must not presume a conflict between human dignity and the rule of law.”
MASSACHUSETTS PRO-LIFE CENTER SUES OVER ABORTION CAMPAIGN
Massachusetts-based Bethlehem House filed a defamation lawsuit last week against Reproductive Equity Now. The pro-abortion group, together with the state government, launched an influence campaign against pro-life pregnancy resource centers last summer.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NIXES BIDEN TITLE IX RULE
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights issued a “dear colleague” letter Friday directing all public schools and universities to revert to the original interpretation of Title IX after a long push by the Biden administration to reinterpret the women’s rights law to favor “transgender” rights.
DENNIS QUAID’S #1 WARNING FOR AMERICANS
“The future doesn’t wait, and neither should you. As someone who’s seen how quickly life can change, I believe preparation is everything. Your retirement is more than numbers on a page - it’s your legacy, your dreams, your peace of mind. Take the first step today, because your future deserves nothing less than your full attention.” – Dennis Quaid
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PANAMA TO END CHINA AGREEMENT AFTER RUBIO VISIT
President José Raúl Mulino of Panama signaled Sunday he would soon end the South American country's cooperation with China's Belt and Road Initiative. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had just met with Mulino and made clear the Trump administration would take “necessary measures” to fend off Chinese influence in the Panama Canal.
DEMOCRATS ELECT DNC CHAIR, VICE CHAIR
Democratic Party leaders over the weekend elected Ken Martin, chairman of the party’s Minnesota affiliate, as chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Martin was notably endorsed by Gov. Tim Walz. The DNC also elected gun control activist David Hogg, 24, as a DNC vice chairman.
ANALYSIS: WHY ARE VOTERS MOVING RIGHTWARD?
Recent polling shows the Democratic Party’s favorability at historic lows. Trump, meanwhile, has seen a better favorability jump at the beginning of his second term than he ever enjoyed during his first. Here’s a look at the trends and what they might mean for the foreseeable future.
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US BISHOPS ENDORSE NATIONWIDE SCHOOL CHOICE BILL
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) endorsed the Educational Choice for Children Act, a bill designed to give education freedom to families in all 50 states: “The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the first and primary teachers of their children and therefore have the right to select the best educational environment for their children.”
TEXAS GUV BACKS TRUMP ON CANADA TARIFFS
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott warned outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to “be careful” after reports that Trudeau is considering retaliatory measures in response to Trump’s tariffs. “The Texas economy is larger than Canada’s,” Abbott stated. “And we’re not afraid to use it.”
PILGRIMAGE NEEDS HOPE
After trekking the Camino, Ryan Brady reflects on the relationship between pilgrimage and hope. In the pilgrimage of life, there has to be a reason we continue to get up every morning. Here’s what Ryan learned.
CATHOLIC 101
Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Blaise, an Armenian Bishop who was martyred in 316. Catholics everywhere will line up to have their throats blessed today. You might think it's nothing but a quaint tradition, but think again! Patty Knap at the National Catholic Register tells the story of when St. Blaise’s intercession healed her father.
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. Blaise (d. 316) was a bishop who served in Armenia at a time when the Church there was intensely persecuted. Blaise was beheaded for his faith, but not before working several miracles relating to throats. To this day, Catholics have their throats blessed every year on the Feast of St. Blaise.
DAILY PSALM
“Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:25)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
JOY
The whole Detroit Red Wings crowd goes wild when a pair of nuns are featured on the jumbotron enjoying the game.