The Friday Loop - May 1, 2026

FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION

DOJ REPORT OUTLINES MASSIVE DISCRIMINATION UNDER BIDEN

The Biden administration discriminated against Christians on a massive scale, targeting them everywhere from their churches to their workplaces, the Justice Department reports. The Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias found the Biden administration “generally tolerated religious beliefs that were privately held but zealously pursued actions to limit Christians’ ability to act in accordance with their faith.”

DEM SENATOR MOVES TO TORPEDO SCHOOL CHOICE TAX CREDIT

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., has introduced legislation to repeal the federal school-choice tax credit created under President Donald Trump’s 2025 “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act. Kelly claimed the credit takes money out of public schools, but school choice advocates pointed out that the program relies on voluntary private donations, not public school funds.

HOUSE VOTES TO FUND MUCH OF DHS THROUGH SEPTEMBER

The House voted yesterday to fund much of the DHS through September, ending a record-breaking partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO LIMIT BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP?

Republican Sen. Rand Paul introduced a joint resolution yesterday proposing a constitutional amendment to restrict birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. The amendment would limit automatic U.S. citizenship for children born in the country, making only those with at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or an active-duty member of the military eligible.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM COMMISSION URGES TRUMP TO PRESS CHINA

With President Donald Trump set to visit China on May 14, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is urging him to confront Chinese President Xi Jinping over the country's crackdown on religious communities, including the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai.

EXCLUSIVE: SERIES WILL WALK CATHOLICS THROUGH MASS

Theologian Edward Sri spoke with Zeale News about how every element of the Mass is legible if only Catholics are given the tools to understand it. Many Catholics can recite and go through the motions of much of the Mass, but – if they're honest – can't explain clearly what much of it means. Sri is the host of a series that will open up the rich meaning of every moment of the Liturgy.

ANALYSIS: RACE-BASED DISTRICTS PROTECT POLITICIANS, NOT COMMUNITIES

Conservative activist John Tillman says districts drawn to protect minority voters actually kept the same politicians in power for decades while their neighborhoods fell apart, and the Supreme Court's ruling against Louisiana's map could finally change that.

20 STATES ASK SCOTUS TO LET CATHOLIC CHURCH BUILD SHRINE

A Kentucky Catholic parish was blocked from building a backyard-sized grotto on its own property after neighbors sued. Now, 20 state attorneys general are asking the Supreme Court to step in and protect religious land use rights nationwide.

UK LIBERALS ADMIT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHRISTIAN CANDIDATE

The UK's Liberal Democrats admitted in court to multiple breaches of human rights and equality law after unlawfully removing a Christian parliamentary candidate from the 2024 general election ballot and replacing him with a rival who went on to win the seat.

THE GODPARENT GUIDE FOR SACRAMENT SEASON

From celebrating Baptism anniversaries to finding the perfect First Communion gift, this guide has everything godparents need to show up well for their godchild this spring.

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION

Answer the call to pray for our nation this First Friday. Make reparation to the Sacred Heart for our sins—and join thousands of Catholics preparing for the America 250 consecration through Zeale.