The LOOP
The Wednesday Loop - May 14, 2025
CHICAGO CATHOLIC CHARITIES HIRES FIRM THAT LOBBIES FOR PRO-ABORTION GROUPS
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago has contracted with a lobbying firm that also represents organizations supporting or providing abortions, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
TRUMP MAKES MASSIVE ECONOMIC DEAL WITH SAUDI ARABIA
President Donald Trump secured a $600 billion economic agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia during his trip to the Middle East. The deal, unveiled during Trump’s May 13 visit to Riyadh, is the largest commercial partnership ever recorded between the two nations.
ABORTIONS, TAXPAYER FUNDING BOTH RISE AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD
Planned Parenthood aborted a record 402,200 unborn babies between 2023 and 2024, according to its recently released annual report. The report additionally showed that Planned Parenthood received $792.2 million in government health services reimbursements and grants, constituting 39% of its annual revenue.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH STOPS REFUGEE RESETTLEMENTS IN PROTEST
The Episcopal Church’s refugee resettlement organization this week refused to resettle white South African refugees fleeing threats of racial violence. Citing a commitment to “racial justice,” Bishop Sean Rowe announced the decision on behalf of Episcopal Migration Ministries on Monday, just a day after 49 South Africans began their journey to the US.
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PILGRIMAGE ABOUT TO KICK OFF
The National Eucharistic Congress has announced key details about its second National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which will launch this Sunday from St. John’s Parish in Indianapolis and conclude on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 22, in Los Angeles.
TEXAS PREGNANCY CENTER SAVES CHILD FROM ABORTION PILL
A woman who left Texas to obtain an abortion pill was able to reverse the effects of the deadly drug with the help of the Fort Worth Pregnancy Center. Now, her son is a healthy toddler.
'A PRO-LIFE BILL THAT EVERYBODY AGREES WITH'
A Missouri bill to support struggling parents and protect vulnerable newborns is now awaiting Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe’s signature after passing both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support. Here's what made the legislation popular.
SO MUCH NEWS
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • Trump explained why he accepted a Qatari plane as a gift to the US. • Tennessee just passed a new law that protects free speech. • Tulsi Gabbard has fired several "deep state" intelligence officials.
HEAVENLY 5-STAR BOOK! LOOPers will love
“Humans of Heaven.” New “Humans of Heaven” owner Cameron says, “Absolutely gorgeous book!! The writing is captivating and each Saint story beautiful.”
SUDANESE DIOCESE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS SINCE FIRST MISSION
Thousands of Christians gathered May 11 in the Bentiu Diocese, which is in South Sudan’s Unity State, to celebrate the centennial of the area’s first Catholic mission. In 2024, Pope Francis elevated the Bentiu community, which had been part of the Diocese of Malakal, to its own diocese.
VERMONT DIOCESE FACES 118 NEW ABUSE CLAIMS
Vermont’s only Catholic diocese, the Diocese of Burlington, is facing 118 new clergy sex abuse claims after settling 67 other lawsuits, which forced it to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last fall.
EMOTIONAL HUMILITY
Here is some great advice about emotions in prayer. Do you question God’s presence when you’re experiencing dryness? Are you proud of the exuberance, warmth, longing, or joy you have felt in the past, comparing all moments to those moments? Do you start to over-analyze yourself when you’re not getting the “right” feelings in your spiritual life? Here’s how you can avoid all those pitfalls.
CATHOLIC 101
In the wake of the conclave and the election of a new pope, the concept of hierarchy is on the minds of many. Is the Church's hierarchical structure outdated? Authoritarian? Too political or worldly? Here is a return to the actual meaning of “hierarchy,” a meaning you may not have been taught.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today is the feast of Saint Matthias, the disciple chosen to replace Judas as one of the 12 Apostles. The Book of Acts states that he was also one of the 72 disciples that the Lord Jesus sent out to preach the good news. Matthias was with the Lord since His Baptism, and was “a witness to Christ’s Resurrection,” according to Saint Peter in Acts.
DAILY PSALM
"The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people." (Psalm 113:8)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
UPDATE FROM THE SENATE
"If you want to know how broken Senate Democrats are," says Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-MO, "they just blocked the confirmation of the Ambassador to the Vatican. Insane." WATCH & SHARE