The LOOP

The Thursday Loop - April 17, 2025

THURSDAY, APRIL 17 - HOLY THURSDAY

IRAQI CHRISTIANS AWAIT URGENT ACTION FROM TRUMP

Religious freedom experts warn a warlord is threatening to finish what ISIS started in Iraq: “Unless the United States intervenes immediately, the historic Christian city of Qaraqosh in the Nineveh Plains of Iraq will fall tomorrow, Thursday, April 17, to the U.S.-sanctioned, Iran-backed militia leader Rayan Kildani.”

TEXAS HOUSE ADVANCES LANDMARK SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM

The Texas House voted 85-63 just after 2 a.m. this morning to pass a landmark $1 billion school choice bill, paving the way for the largest program of its kind in the nation. The measure creates education savings accounts that will make public education funds directly available to families, who may use the money for private school tuition, homeschooling, and other approved education expenses.

UK SUPREME COURT: MEN ARE NOT WOMEN

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled April 16 that in the 2010 Equality Act the terms “woman” and “sex” refer to biological reality, not to a self-proclaimed "gender identity." The unanimous ruling was hailed by conservatives and feminists as a massive cultural victory over "transgender" ideology.

LENTEN LESSONS: CAN YOU GET MARRIED ON THE BEACH?

Radio CEO Fr. Rocky details what the Church says about the sacrament of Matrimony, where it should be performed, and even who must be present. Watch and learn in today’s Lenten Lesson on the Sacraments from Relevant Radio.

HOSPITAL MAY DEFY PARENTS, REMOVE BABY FROM VENTILATOR

A hospital in northern Texas might remove a one-month-old girl’s oscillator, against her parents’ wishes, even though her treatment is working. Texas Right to Life is urging people to pray for baby Wren, whose life hangs in the balance as a hospital committee weighs whether to side with the hospital or the parents.

WORKPLACE CONVERSATION LEADS TO FAMILY CONVERSION

One day in 2023, one coworker turned to another and casually asked, “What religion are you and what do you believe?” That simple question became the spark that led the whole Bates family to begin a journey toward the Catholic faith.

JUDGE RULES CATHOLIC GROUPS CAN'T BE FORCED TO ACCOMMODATE ABORTION, IVF

In what is being hailed as a "huge win" for religious freedom, a federal judge ruled this week that the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) may not force Catholic employers to accommodate abortion and IVF or to abide by Biden-era LGBT “anti-discrimination” rules.

SO MUCH NEWS

Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • The Trump admin sued Maine yesterday to protect girls' sports. • A new law zeros in on the role of psychotropic drugs in mass violence. • A look back at a Holy Thursday homily by Pope Saint John Paul II.

PRO-LIFERS, PICK UP THE PHONE

Switch to Charity Mobile, the pro-life phone company!

DETROIT ARCHDIOCESE SHUTS DOWN LATIN MASSES

Citing Pope Francis' directives in Traditiones Custodes, the Archdiocese of Detroit announced yesterday that its parish churches are no longer permitted to celebrate the traditional Latin Mass.

POPE FRANCIS THANKS MEDICAL TEAM

Pope Francis received a delegation of medical personnel from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital at the Vatican this Holy Week, offering personal thanks for the care he received during his recent hospitalization.

WANT A CIVIL WAR?

Want to start a civil war? Declare your enemies “unfit parents” and take their kids away, says John Zmirak. The Colorado House of Representatives just passed a bill that would remove a child from a parent’s custody over things like “misgendering” and “deadnaming.”

CATHOLIC 101

Catholic psychiatrist Dr. Aaron Kheriaty invites us this Holy Week to “reflect on Mary’s participation in the Cross of Christ as a model for how each of us can more fully enter into Christ’s suffering, and in doing so, grow in union with Him.”

SAINT OF THE DAY

Today is Maundy (or Holy) Thursday, when the Church solemnly commemorates the institution of the Eucharist. Maundy Thursday is the oldest of the observances peculiar to Holy Week.

DAILY PSALM

“Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ." (1 Cor 10:16)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

FREE GUIDE TO CELEBRATING EASTER

Move beyond the bunny and chocolate eggs. Let Refine's new Easter Guide help you discover timeless traditions and simple practices to make this Easter more meaningful! Seven SIMPLE ways to decorate, Easter basket ideas, menu planning... we have it all!