The LOOP

The Saturday Loop - April 5, 2025

FORMER CARDINAL

McCARRICK DEAD AT 94 Disgraced Theodore McCarrick died this week in Missouri at age 94. A canonical trial had found him guilty in 2019 of abusing both minors and adults, including offenses such as solicitation in the confessional and abuse of power.

KANSAS CATHOLICS MOURN MURDERED PRIEST

Catholics in the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, are mourning the loss of Father Arul Carasala, who was fatally shot on Thursday. "Being a priest today requires heroic love," said Archbishop Joseph Naumann. “That quality was evident in Father Arul...."

TRUMP STANDS FIRM ON TARIFF MOVE

President Donald Trump is standing by his sweeping new tariff policy, assuring Americans it will spark an economic boom, despite current market and global reactions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all posted sharp losses since the tariff announcement.

LENTEN LESSONS: WHY IS THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK IMPORTANT?

Relevant Radio CEO Fr. Rocky explains how this sacrament, also known as Last Rites, is such an important ministry to the sick and dying. Learn more in today’s Lenten Lesson on the Sacraments video.

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NEW TASK FORCE TO DEFEND WOMEN IN SPORTS

The Trump administration on Friday announced the formation of a new Title IX Special Investigations Team. The federal task force will investigate schools that allow males to compete in women’s sports or use female-only spaces.

DEMOCRAT REP LIKENS PRO-PARENT GROUPS TO KKK

Colorado state Rep. Yara Zokaie has doubled down after likening parental rights groups to the KKK. Zokaie first made the comparison while defending a bill that would pave the way for parents who don't cooperate with child "gender transitions" to lose custody of their children.

STATISTICIAN: NONES NO LONGER RISING

The number of “nones” — people with no religious affiliation — has stopped rising. In fact, nones have seen a decrease among certain demographics, according to statistician Ryan Burge. Here are the numbers.

PRAY THE ‘FAMILY ROSARY ACROSS AMERICA’!

Real families. Real Prayers. All together.

SPRINGY DINNERS

Your spring menu is here. Take advantage of seasonal ingredients and let the fresh air into your kitchen with fig and grain bowls, shrimp and artichoke scampi, mango chicken curry, and lots more. Enjoy!

BE THE BEST FATHER YOU CAN BE

Parenting styles have been categorized into four basic types based on where you fall on the spectrum of responsiveness and demandingness. You might be an authoritative, authoritarian, absent, or permissive parent. Here's what each one means, and which one is the best.

DUNKIRK FOR OUR CHURCH

At Dunkirk, hundreds of thousands of Allied troops were stranded on the beach, caught between the sea and the Germans. Since any large rescue ship would be an easy bomb target, the British sent 850 small private vessels to rescue the men. Does our Church need more little private boats to rescue souls?

CATHOLIC 101

Ahead of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea May 20, the Vatican’s International Theological Commission issued a major new document reaffirming the Nicene Creed.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Today is the feast day of Saint Vincent Ferrer, a Dominican preacher born in 1357 who converted thousands across Europe during a time of deep political and spiritual turmoil.

SATURDAY'S PSALM

“O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge." (Psalm 7:2)

SATURDAY'S READINGS

Saturday's Mass readings.

SUNDAY’S PSALM

“The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy." (Psalm 126:3)

SUNDAY’S READINGS

Sunday's Mass readings.

ANSWER TO THE TRIVIA

Catholics are obligated to receive Holy Communion at least once a year, during the Easter season, but are encouraged to receive it more frequently.

HOPE

Nineteen Kansas prisoners seek to join the Church after a Catholic weekend retreat offers and mercy.