The LOOP
The Friday Loop - November 28, 2025
THANKSGIVING ROUNDUP: 10 STORIES NOT TO BE MISSED
Here are ten stories that many LOOP readers may have missed while they traveled, prepared meals, and washed dishes over Thanksgiving.
BLACK FRIDAY: HOW TO SHOP LIKE A CATHOLIC
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have a reputation of helping people find great deals on holiday gifts, but do they encourage consumerism? And how should Catholics take part in them?
HELPING CHILDREN WITH CHRISTMASTIME GRIEF
In a gentle and beautifully illustrated children’s book, author Anthony DeStefano helps children process the loss of a loved one during the Christmas season.
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ADVENT UNDER PERSECUTION
As Advent begins Nov. 30, the faithful have an opportunity to turn toward the writings of a priest whose sermons were smuggled out of a Nazi prison as he awaited execution. "Advent of the Heart," available through The Catholic Company, gathers the Advent sermons and handwritten prison reflections of Father Alfred Delp, S.J., a German Jesuit who was arrested for speaking against the Nazi regime.
DICK VAN DYKE: AGING & HUMOR
Actor and comedian Dick Van Dyke will turn 100 on December 13. Here, he shares his perspective on life and what has given him the spirit to age so well.
CATHOLIC 101
Human beings have natural gifts, also called talents, such as a beautiful singing voice or the ability to hit a baseball out of the park. We also have charisms, which are spiritual in nature, such as preaching, evangelization, or healing. It's easy for us to separate the two as belonging to different worlds or disconnected parts of our lives. But it's possible, says Gabriel Garnica at SpiritualDirection.com, that our ultimate sanctitiy may depend in part on finding a nexus between the two.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today, the church celebrates the feast of St. Catherine Labouré. She is a French Daughter of Charity known for receiving a vision of the Virgin Mary, which led to the creation of the Miraculous Medal.
DAILY PSALM
"Give glory and eternal praise to him." (Daniel 3)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
LOOPCAST THANKSGIVING SPECIAL
What is the best way to respond to relatives with differing political views at Thanksgiving gatherings? Tom and Josh reveal what they're most grateful for. And the liberal young adults aren’t having children, shown in new study from Brad Wilcox. All this and more on today’s episode of the LOOPcast!
