The Wednesday Loop - February 5, 2025

TRUMP PROPOSES US TAKEOVER OF GAZA STRIP

President Donald Trump announced during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night: “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip.” “We’ll own it,” Trump said, proposing that the roughly two million Gaza Strip residents should be relocated during the time it takes for U.S. personnel to “level” the war-torn region and rebuild.

SENATE CONFIRMS PAM BONDI AS ATTORNEY GENERAL

The U.S. Senate last night confirmed former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as the next U.S. Attorney General, giving her charge of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI. Bondi declared last month that the federal agencies’ “targeting of Catholics, concerned parents, and pro-life Americans … must stop.”

CARDINAL DOLAN ENDORSES TRUMP-BACKED SCHOOL CHOICE BILL

Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan urged Congress to pass the Educational Choice for Children Act, citing poor grades in public schools. “For President Trump and the new Congress,” Cardinal Dolan wrote, “the moment is now to pass meaningful school choice legislation to reach families in all 50 states.”

GEORGIA BISHOPS: WE AGREE CRIMINAL ALIENS MUST BE DEPORTED

The Catholic bishops of Georgia yesterday issued a statement strongly affirming the dignity and rights of migrants. “However,” the bishops wrote, “we also understand and agree that those who come to our country with previous criminal records and those who commit crimes after their arrival must be held accountable and deported to their home countries.”

RFK CLEARS KEY COMMITTEE VOTE ON WAY TO CONFIRMATION

The Senate Finance Committee yesterday voted 14-13 to advance Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation to a full Senate floor vote. The tight party-line committee vote was key to Kennedy’s confirmation hopes.

TULSI GABBARD CLEARS INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE VOTE

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence voted 9-8 yesterday to advance Tulsi Gabbard's nomination to be the next Director of National Intelligence to a full Senate vote. In a confirmation hearing, Gabbard had denounced the FBI’s controversial 2023 memo targeting American Catholics.

20K FED EMPLOYEES ACCEPT TRUMP BUYOUT DEAL & RESIGN

About 20,000 federal employees who work remotely have so far accepted the Trump administration's “buyout” offer, choosing to resign their positions rather than return to in-person work. Many more are expected to take the deal before Thursday’s deadline.

REFINE

Ready to detox your life? is here to help! As awareness grows about the hidden toxins in nearly everything we come in contact with – from chemicals in cleaning products to additives in processed foods – more people are taking action to protect their physical, mental, and social well-being. Learn what you can do to build your nontoxic and fulfilling lifestyle here!

CATHOLIC TEACHER SUSPENDED FOR DISPLAYING CRUCIFIX A 32-year veteran public school teacher who has displayed a crucifix beside her desk for the past 10 years has been placed on leave in Connecticut for refusing to remove the cross. Marisol Castro, a devout Catholic, was suspended without pay and threatened with termination over the crucifix. READ

VATICAN OKAYS BEATIFICATION PROCESS FOR PARALYZED EVANGELIST

The Vatican has officially validated a diocesan inquiry for the beatification and canonization of Antonino “Nino” Baglieri, an Italian quadriplegic lay apostle. the inspiring story of this potential future saint, who was paralyzed in a tragic accident at 17 but went on to become a tireless evangelist.

HUMANE LEARNING IN MACHINE AGE

In the age of AI, we have programs that can write an essay for you, remove telltale signs of artificiality, and then recast the essay “in your own voice.” AI, it seems, can do all educational work for you. Where does this leave teachers and students? Is school now pointless? Here are one professor’s resolutions for humane learning in a machine age.

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.