The LOOP
The Friday Loop - September 4, 2026
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ICE HITS NEW RECORD FOR MONTHLY ARRESTS
August marked the third consecutive month that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has broken its previous record for the highest number of monthly arrests. Approximately 51,000 illegal aliens were arrested over the course of August, including more than 2,100 who were arrested in the hugely successful “Operation Rotten Apple” in New York City.
HONG KONG COURT DISMISSES APPEAL FROM CARDINAL ZEN AND ALLIES
Cardinal Joseph Zen, the 94-year-old bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, appealed a 2022 conviction for operating a legal fund to support anti-communist protesters. A Hong Kong appellate court ruled against Zen and four of his fund co-founders this week, keeping the conviction in place.
FEDERAL JUDGE SHOOTS DOWN SECOND BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ORDER
Maryland-based U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman issued a Sept. 2 injunction against President Donald Trump’s revised efforts to curtail birthright citizenship. Boardman ruled that the executive order is “almost certainly unconstitutional,” in light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, but the case may appear before the high court yet again.
MICHIGAN’S REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE BACKS FEDERAL SCHOOL TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
Republican gubernatorial candidate John James pledged to opt Michigan into the Education Freedom Tax Credit, which gives donors a tax break for supporting state-approved scholarship funds. Democrat Jocelyn Benson, James’ rival and the incumbent Secretary of State, was critical of the plan.
DOJ DECISION COULD STRIP ‘SANCTUARY’ CITIES OF FEDERAL FUNDING
The Office of Legal Counsel issued a new opinion determining that a federal statute governing welfare funds actually requires all participating states and any state or local agencies to cooperate with federal law enforcement in identifying illegal aliens. Those that refuse to comply risk losing federal funding.
GALLUP: MORE AMERICANS SAY PARENTS SHOULD MARRY
The share of Americans who agree that a man and a woman who have a child together should be married to each other is at its highest point since 2013, a Gallup survey found. Since 2020, the share of Americans supporting married parents has increased by 10 points, largely driven by Republican voters and weekly churchgoers.
MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT WEIGHS CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE’S RIGHTS IN ‘TRANSGENDER’ EMPLOYEE CASE
A former librarian who identifies as transgender is asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to approve a discrimination lawsuit against the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for requiring employees to adhere to Catholic moral teachings on sex and biology.
AD: 5 THINGS EVERY CATHOLIC FATHER MUST KNOW
“The first sin to destroy families is the abdication of spiritual headship.” — Fr. Chad Ripperger. In a world filled with confusion, temptation, and spiritual attacks, Catholic fathers are called to lead. Discover five essential truths to strengthen family prayer, establish order in the home, protect those entrusted to your care, and embrace your God-given role as spiritual leader. INCLUDES A BONUS OF 5 Holy Cards for the home and Spiritual leadership. LEARN MORE
CALIFORNIA ARCHDIOCESE TO HOST ‘HOW TO INCREASE FERTILITY THE NATURAL WAY’ WEBINAR
The planned Oct. 6 online conference from the Archdiocese of San Francisco aims to address the underlying causes of infertility and related issues and seek physical healing in line with the Church’s teachings on life and human dignity.
‘MODERN DAY JERICHO MARCH’: HOW A NOVENA CONVERTED A FREEMASONS’ TEMPLE INTO A CATHOLIC COLLEGE COMMUNITY CENTER
Wes Cimmarrusti, Chief Marketing Officer for the Ohio-based College of St. Joseph the Worker, said that a novena to the Blessed Virgin seemingly convinced a group of Freemasons to sell their temple to the Catholic college. The former temple will be consecrated and repurposed as a community and fellowship center.
MEMORY KEEPING FOR THE MINIMALIST
You don't need boxes and boxes of photo albums and old memorabilia to cherish your loved ones' memories. Here's Zeale's recommendations for memory-keeping systems that work for everyone.
CATHOLIC 101
Pope Leo's September prayer intention asks us to take care of something that so many Americans take for granted: water. Aleteia offers a reflection on the importance of this intention.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today, the Church upholds the example of Pope St. Boniface I, who devoted his life to serving the Lord and caring for the Church, remaining faithful through the challenges of his brief papacy.
DAILY PSALM
"The salvation of the just comes from the Lord." (Psalm 37)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION
As we honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on First Friday, let's ask Our Lord to grant the prayers brought to Him by Our Lady of Sorrows, to whom the month of September is dedicated. & SHARE
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