The LOOP
The Thursday Loop - February 13, 2025
TRUMP ANNOUNCES NEGOTIATIONS TO END UKRAINE WAR
Following a Wednesday phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump announced the two men had reached an agreement to “immediately” begin negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the war in Ukraine. The war “must end,” Trump stated. “No more lives should be lost!”
TULSI GABBARD CONFIRMED AS DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
The Senate yesterday confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence in a 52-48 vote. All 47 Democrats voted “no,” while 52 Republicans voted “yes.” Former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, was the only Republican to vote against Gabbard.
NEW FEDERAL NUMBERS: MOST JOB GROWTH WENT TO MIGRANTS
The latest employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that 88% of all job growth in the past five years has gone to immigrants, with the majority of the workers lacking legal status.
DOJ SUES NEW YORK FOR REJECTING MIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
The Justice Department Wednesday announced it is suing the state of New York for refusing to cooperate with the Trump administration’s federal immigration enforcement efforts. “New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “It stops. It stops today.”
TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER OUTLINES DOGE-LED FEDERAL OVERHAUL
Trump signed an executive order Tuesday directing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to lead a sweeping reorganization of the federal government aimed at streamlining operations, reducing the workforce, and cutting taxpayer costs.
CATHOLICVOTE ENDORSES NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE BILL
CatholicVote has joined a coalition of more than 50 organizations urging Congress to pass the Educational Choice for Children Act. The bill would establish a federal scholarship tax credit designed to significantly expand education options for K-12 students from lower- to middle-income families.
LOOPcast
Pope Francis wrote a letter to US bishops about immigration. Does the letter accurately describe the situation? And how should we respond? Judges are blocking Trump’s actions – is it legal? Finally, a new spiritual anti-DOGE song hits the streets and... it’s kind of a bop. All this and more on The.
SO MUCH NEWS
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit it today’s LOOP: • Father Dave Nix is going to trial for protesting at an abortion facility. • An archbishop “commended” Trump’s border policies. • Students for Life: “Repeal the FACE Act before it’s too late.”
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PRO-LIFERS, PICK UP THE PHONE
Switch to Charity Mobile the pro-life phone company today!
BRITISH COPS CONTINUE TARGETING PRO-LIFER
Local cops have again told British pro-life activist Isabel Vaughan-Spruce not to stand silently near an abortion clinic – six months after police apologized and gave her a payout for unjustly persecuting her over her pro-life advocacy. “Your mere presence here is causing people harassment, harm, and distress,” an officer recently told her.
ARCHBISHOP CALLS FOR URGENT IMMIGRATION REFORM
Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles called for long-overdue reform of the nation's immigration system this week. “Forty years is a long time for our leaders to avoid solving an important problem,” he said.
MADE NEW AFTER ADDICTION
On a July afternoon, 35-year-old Heather made a Google search for a question she had been asking herself: is there something out there to help me heal from sexual sin? She discovered Magdala Ministries, and it changed her life. Here’s how.
CATHOLIC 101
It’s easy for many of us to think we live in a rich first-world country where weather isn’t a life-threatening force. But the elderly, the homeless, and even those who are lonely during the dark and chilly months need our neighborly love. Here’s how to apply the Corporal Works of Mercy in the winter.
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. Catherine de Ricci was born in the 1500s to a noble Florentine family. She entered the Dominican Order without her father’s consent and became renowned for her mystical prayer, holy wisdom, and patience in physical suffering. She was visited by many holy figures and even once bilocated in order to visit St. Philip Neri.
DAILY PSALM
“Blessed are those who fear the Lord.” (Psalm 128:1)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
THE FORGOTTEN SEASON
With Lent fast approaching, rediscover of pre-Lent.