The LOOP
The Friday Loop - April 4, 2025
MAN ARRESTED AFTER PRIEST FATALLY SHOT IN KANSAS
Authorities on Thursday evening arrested a Tulsa man in connection with the fatal shooting of Father Arul Carasala in Seneca, Kansas, that morning. Archbishop Joseph Naumann called on Catholics to pray for Father Carasala’s family, for his parishioners, and for the murderer, "that God may touch and transform his heart.”
TRUMP RENEWS TITLE X FUNDING FOR PRO-LIFE STATES
The Trump administration has restored millions in Title X funding to Oklahoma and Tennessee, two states previously cut off under the Biden administration for refusing to provide abortion referrals.
SCHOOLS FACE DEFUNDING FOR HIDING 'GENDER TRANSITIONS'
Schools that hide children’s so-called “gender identities” from parents may now lose federal funding. That's the message Secretary of Education Linda McMahon delivered last week in conjunction with a “Dear Colleague” letter to schools.
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LENTEN LESSONS: WHAT HAPPENS IN CONFESSION STAYS IN CONFESSION!
Should we be worried that a priest might share our sins with someone else? Fr. Rocky explains why breaking the seal of the confessional is not only wrong, but could get a priest excommunicated! Watch and learn more about it in today’s Lenten Lesson on the Sacraments from Relevant Radio.
TRUMP FIRES SEVERAL NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIALS
President Donald Trump dismissed several National Security Council (NSC) officials Thursday after two weeks of mounting concerns in the wake of a Signal chat leak regarding military strikes in Yemen.
ANCIENT MYSTERY REVIVES MODERN DEVOTION
A replica of the Shroud of Turin is drawing Indiana Catholics into deeper Lenten reflection at the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocesan Museum. The powerful new exhibit opened March 27. READ
TWO NORTH DAKOTA BISHOPS BACK SCHOOL CHOICE
Amid a nationwide push for school choice, two North Dakota bishops are encouraging Catholics to support the establishment of Education Savings Accounts in their state, which would enable parents to have more flexibility in choosing schools for their children.
SO MUCH NEWS
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • The Senate confirmed Dr. Oz as head of Medicare and Medicaid. • New York Mayor Eric Adams has left the Democratic Party. • Christian leaders to Trump: Make persecuted Christians a top priority.
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FOR YOUR KIDS - GRANDKIDS - PARISHES - SCHOOLS - 1st COMMUNIONS
Pray for the priests giving 1st Communions this springtime with this unique Holy Heroes prayer card. It’s beautiful and bi-lingual (English on one side, Spanish on the other)! For anyone receiving 1st Communion this year, or for yourself to join your prayers with theirs. Deep bulk discounts automatically apply. On sale now at HolyHeroes.com/priestprayer.
COULD JOHN PAUL II BE A DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH?
Twenty years after the passing of Pope Saint John Paul II, his biographer, George Weigel, suggests that the late pontiff might one day be named a doctor of the Church. Here's why.
1985 PARENTAL NOTIFICATION LAW TO GO INTO EFFECT A 1985
Nevada law requiring minors to notify their parents or guardians before seeking an abortion will go into effect April 30 after decades of being staved off in court, a federal judge ruled this week.
BOOKS FOR EVERY MOOD
Getting ready for some summer reading? Not sure where to turn? Here are titles for every mood and season of life!
CATHOLIC 101
"It is agonizing, but there is tremendous beauty in the suffering," writes Constance Hull. "My dad taught me this truth in a profound way." Read a painful but timely reminder about the meaning of our Way of the Cross this Lent.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Saint Isidore of Seville, a 6th-century Spanish bishop, converted Visigoths, fought heresies, served the poor, improved clergy education, and compiled the first Catholic encyclopedia. He was later declared a Doctor of the Church.
DAILY PSALM
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted." (Psalm 34:19)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
TRUTH
Pope Saint John Paul II understood the meaning of patriotism.