The LOOP

The Thursday Loop - March 19, 2026

ISRAEL HITS KEY GAS FIELD, TRUMP FLOATS PINNING HORMUZ ON NATO

Israel struck the South Pars gas field yesterday in what was widely decried as a major escalation in the war. President Donald Trump stated Israel did not inform the U.S. before it "violently lashed out at" the field, and demanded Israel stop attacking the facility. Also yesterday, Trump suggested the U.S. may back out of its leading role in securing the Strait of Hormuz and forcing NATO allies to take on the responsibility instead.

GABBARD: IRAN MADE NO EFFORT TO REBUILD NUKE PROGRAM

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified yesterday that Trump alone bears the responsibility for the claim that Iran posed an “imminent” nuclear that justified starting the Iran war. Gabbard also made clear that the intelligence community believes the U.S. totally destroyed Iran’s nuclear enrichment program in 2025, and that Iran has made no effort to rebuild it since then.

CATHOLIC WRITER WARNS OF IVF 'DOCTOR-GOD COMPLEX'

A Catholic writer is raising concerns about in vitro fertilization (IVF), warning that the practice reflects a growing “doctor-God complex” in which human life is reduced to something engineered rather than a gift from God.

ALIGN YOUR CATHOLIC VALUES WITH YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS

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ISRAELI STRIKE DESTROYS APARTMENT BUILDING IN BEIRUT

An Israeli airstrike flattened an apartment building in central Beirut early yesterday morning. The attack is the latest in a wave of strikes that have hit civilian areas and drawn growing scrutiny over Israel’s conduct in Lebanon.

NEW OHIO MONTESSORI SCHOOL TO SERVE ALL FAMILIES

A small Catholic Montessori school in Steubenville, Ohio, is working to provide a holistic approach to education for all children, grounded in a mission to form the whole person and serve all families, "regardless of means."

CARDINAL PIZZABALLA CONDEMNS 'PSEUDO-RELIGIOUS' IRAN WAR LANGUAGE

Asked about Evangelical U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of Christian language in relation to the Iran war, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa did not mince words. “The abuse and manipulation of God’s name to justify this and any other war is the gravest sin we can commit at this time,” the cardinal said. "We must do everything we can to leave no room for this pseudo-religious language, which speaks not of God, but of ourselves.”

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VICTORY: SCOTTISH SUICIDE BILL DEFEATED

The majority of the Scottish Parliament voted March 17 to reject a bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide, and the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland released a statement assuring the legislators they made the right choice.

BRITISH HEALTH OFFICIALS PAUSE CHILD 'TRANS' TREATMENTS

England’s National Health Service (NHS) has decided to temporarily pause referring minors for “gender transition” hormones while a consultation on the safety of subjecting children to the drugs takes place.

ASK ZEALE: HOW SHOULD THE CHURCH SUPPORT FAMILIES?

How can the Catholic Church better support young marriages and families? Zeale staff members share advice for supporting the young families in your local parish.

CATHOLIC 101

Although St. Joseph did not say a single word in Scripture, he left an indelible mark on the Church through his obedience to God the Father and his care for His Son.

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Joseph, the silent guardian of the Holy Family, stands as one of the most trusted figures in salvation history — chosen to protect Mary and raise Jesus with unwavering faith and courage. A humble carpenter, Joseph is remembered for his quiet obedience to God’s will and is venerated as patron of the universal Church, fathers, workers, and a happy death.

DAILY PSALM

"The son of David will live for ever." (Psalm 89)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

TRUTH

Patriotism is a virtue!.