The LOOP
The Friday Loop - May 23, 2025
'ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL' PASSES IN GOP VICTORY
House Republicans narrowly passed Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill” Thursday morning, delivering sweeping tax cuts, border security funding, Planned Parenthood defunding, and a federal ban on taxpayer-funded gender surgeries.
COURT BLOCKS CATHOLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
The Supreme Court effectively stopped the opening of Oklahoma’s St. Isidore, the nation’s first religious charter school, in a 4-4 deadlock Thursday that leaves a lower court’s ban in place.
ISRAELI STAFFERS KILLED IN ANTISEMITIC SHOOTING
Two Israeli embassy staffers were shot and killed Wednesday outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., in what officials called a targeted antisemitic attack. The suspect reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” during his arrest.
DELAWARE LEGALIZES ASSISTED SUICIDE
Democratic Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer signed a bill May 20 legalizing assisted suicide in the state, supporting deadly legislation that the previous Catholic governor had vetoed.
RFK SOUNDS ALARM ON KIDS' HEALTH CRISIS HHS
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released a long-awaited report yesterday warning that over 40% of US children now have at least one chronic illness, driven by poor diet, chemicals, prescription drugs, and sedentary lifestyles.
THOUSANDS JOIN EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles held a Eucharistic procession in the city of Pasadena, California, on May 17, just a day before the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage began in Indianapolis, Indiana.
SENATE HEARING: BIDEN OFFICIALS HID COVID SHOT RISKS
Documents released in a Senate hearing revealed Biden health officials delayed warning the public about cardiac inflammation risks tied to COVID mRNA shots, despite knowing the danger as early as 2021.
SO MUCH NEWS
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit it today’s LOOP: • Parents sue Colorado over a law calling ‘misgendering’ discrimination. • Harvard barred from enrolling international students. • Judge blocks Trump's plan to dismantle the Department of Education.
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What do Buffalo Bill, John F. Kennedy, Vince Lombardi, Dorothy Day, Fulton Sheen, and Andy Warhol have in common? They are all featured in the "American Catholic Daily Reader," a page-a-day history of 365 patriots, saints, and rogues who shaped America. Buy the book today!
CHURCH PUSHES LAW TO PROTECT TEENS
The Archdiocese of San Francisco is urging Catholics across California to rally behind a legislative effort that would make it a felony to purchase sex from 16- and 17-year-olds, creating new protections for trafficking survivors and victims.
BARRON RESPONDS TO CRITICS, DEFENDS CHURCH TEACHING
Bishop Robert Barron responded to criticism from both progressives and traditionalists, explaining that receiving blowback from both extremes is “an occupational hazard of anyone who articulates the Church’s social teaching."
ARE LEGGINGS PANTS?
Sloppy activewear or a wardrobe staple? We’re not here to end the great leggings war, but there are ways that leggings can be styled beautifully and appropriately for many occasions.
CATHOLIC 101
When humanity was first created, we saw God with clear and open eyes, uninhibited by the darkness of sin, wounds, preconceptions, or ignorance. Now, we have to practice and practice to see God more as He is. This is done through contemplative prayer. Here’s how it’s done.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church celebrates Saint Jane Antide Thouret, a Sister of Charity, who risked her life to educate young girls and serve the sick during the French Revolution, defying anti-Catholic persecution with steadfast faith.
DAILY PSALM
"I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord." (Psalm 57:10)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
WITNESS “IVF in
America isn’t about fertility—it’s an under-regulated industry selling embryonic humans,” argues Colson Center president John Stonestreet. He calls for stronger oversight of what he says is an unethical and dehumanizing system.