The LOOP

The Wednesday Loop - September 30, 2026

CATHOLIC SENATOR PUSHES BILL TO PROTECT PARENTS WHO OPPOSE GENDER IDEOLOGY

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., is introducing a bill to prevent federally funded child welfare agencies from penalizing parents for raising a child according to his or her sex. CatholicVote’s Tom McClusky called it a safeguard against the government “weaponizing” child welfare cases against families.

THE HYDE AMENDMENT’S PRO-LIFE LEGACY 50 YEARS LATER

As pro-lifers mark the Hyde Amendment’s 50th anniversary today, a former aide told Zeale News how Rep. Henry Hyde’s Catholic convictions shaped his defense of unborn children and his approach to politics. The amendment has protected taxpayer dollars from funding most abortions for five decades, saving an estimated 2.7 million lives.

KANSAS AG PROBES LEFT-WING GROUP FOR BRIBING HIGH SCHOOLERS TO REGISTER TO VOTE

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach ordered the Kansas League of Women Voters to maintain records related to a high school voter registration drive, where high school students were offered gift cards in exchange for registering to vote.

AD: BUY THE WAY YOU BELIEVE WITH THE PRO-LIFE PHONE COMPANY!

When you switch your phone service to Charity Mobile, 5% of your monthly plan price goes to your favorite Pro-Life charity. All plans are under $50 before taxes and surcharges, including the Unlimited plan! Isn’t it time to buy the way you believe? Get value + your values with Charity Mobile, and get a free phone offer for new customers with promo code LOOP. LEARN MORE

SENATE PASSES COLLEGE SPORTS BILL

The Senate passed a bipartisan bill to set national rules for college athlete pay, transfers, and eligibility. It would protect athletes’ ability to earn money from endorsements while shielding some NCAA rules from antitrust lawsuits. The House is expected to take it up after the midterms.

WORK WITH US!

CatholicVote is hiring! Check out our open positions for a news writer and a director of marketing. APPLY NOW

DATA ANALYST: MAGA REPUBLICANS STRONGEST WING OF GOP VOTER BASE GOING INTO MIDTERMS

A CNN analysis is suggesting that MAGA Republicans are committed to winning in the midterms, with just as much voter enthusiasm as Democrats have and a higher margin of support for the GOP than previous midterm elections have seen. Non-MAGA Republicans, however, may dampen potential GOP wins.

MOTHER SUES OREGON SCHOOL DISTRICT OVER ANTI-CHRISTIAN REIMBURSEMENT POLICY

An Oregon mother of five is suing her local school district for denying reimbursement for academic curricula that incorporate a Christian worldview. However, the district has also approved a book that promotes second-graders dressing in drag and another that teaches a Native American spiritual approach to the environment.

AD: ACCESS 8 CATHOLIC MUTUAL FUNDS

With religious values guided by prominent Catholics, including Tom Monaghan, Raymond Arroyo and Michael Knowles. GET INFORMATION TODAY

POPE LEO SPEAKS TO THE SICK AT LOURDES

At a shrine known for welcoming those seeking healing, the Holy Father spoke directly to people living with illness and pain. On the flight home, he explained why he had raised the defense of life in France.

SHEEN’S INFLUENCE SPANS GENERATIONS AT BEATIFICATION

From older Catholics who remember hearing Fulton Sheen on the radio to younger generations discovering his timeless recordings today, pilgrims at his beatification in St. Louis told Zeale News how the newly beatified archbishop continues to shape their faith. Were you there? Send us your photos to be featured in our slideshow! Email them to [email protected].

RELATIONSHIP TESTS WITHOUT TRICKERY

What can the character tests of folklore teach us about the proper and wise way dating should be used to determine compatibility? Zeale’s Grace Porto cautions against a disordered view of courtship as a series of pass-fail tests and encourages modern couples to embrace a more human approach to discernment.

CATHOLIC 101

St. Jerome’s love of Scripture went beyond scholarship. The priest and Doctor of the Church spent decades studying the Bible, driven by a conviction that went to the heart of his faith: to know Scripture was to know Christ.

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Jerome’s love for the Word of God shaped a life of prayer, study, and a desire to know Christ more deeply.

DAILY PSALM

“Let my prayer come before you, Lord.” (Psalm 88)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

NEW EPISODE

Join Tom as he travels to Smith Island, Maryland, to spend a day crabbing with generational waterman Mark Kitching and understand why one of America’s oldest island communities is disappearing. The latest episode of Tom Across America is out now on Zeale. WATCH

HELP UNLOCK $125,000

We’ve been given a $125,000 matching challenge as we near the midterm elections. Every dollar you give doubles your impact and brings us closer to unlocking the full grant. Will you help us meet the challenge? GIVE NOW