The LOOP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 RUBIO CALLS FOR JIMMY LAI TO BE PAROLED Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday condemned the sentencing of Catholic anti-Communist hero Jimmy Lai in a Hong Kong court. Rubio, also a Catholic, called Lai’s severe sentence of 20 years “unjust.” Both Rubio and President Donald Trump have spoken out against the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Lai, and many believe the administration may now be poised to intervene for his freedom. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
RUBIO CALLS FOR JIMMY LAI TO BE PAROLED Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday condemned the sentencing of Catholic anti-Communist hero Jimmy Lai in a Hong Kong court. Rubio, also a Catholic, called Lai’s severe sentence of 20 years “unjust.” Both Rubio and President Donald Trump have spoken out against the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Lai, and many believe the administration may now be poised to intervene for his freedom. READ
ARCHBISHOP FULTON SHEEN TO BE BEATIFIED The Vatican has approved the next step toward sainthood for Venerable Fulton Sheen, allowing him to be declared “blessed.” Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, praised Sheen “an example for all of us” and “someone whose life shows what it means to follow Christ faithfully.” READ
SCOUTING AMERICA REPORTEDLY UNDERGOING REFORMS Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, is reportedly moving away from its DEI policies after the Department of War threatened to sever its partnership and cut federal funding unless the organization returns to its founding principles. READ
AD: HELPING CHILDREN ‘GET LOVE RIGHT’ THIS ST. VALENTINE’S DAY A survey of kids ages 13 to 17 found that 73% had seen p*rn, with 15% reporting first exposure at just 10 years old. Statistics on gay/trans ideology are shocking. Married households (47%) and birth rates (1.6) are at record lows. It’s all a big mess! Yet, there’s hope — and it starts in our families. They just need the right resources and support to turn the tide. LEARN MORE
NEW ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK: CHURCH NOT A 'COUNTRY CLUB' In his first homily as archbishop of New York, Archbishop Ronald Hicks said Christ's Great Commission "is a call to be a missionary Church, not a country club." He explained that a club "exists to serve its members," but the Church "exists to go out and serve all people, on fire with faith, hope, and charity in the name of Jesus Christ." READ
OLYMPIAN BRITTA CURL-SALEMME WITNESSES TO CATHOLICISM U.S. Olympian Britta Curl-Salemme is increasingly open about her Catholic faith. In a recent Instagram video showing a Sunday in her life, she showed her morning routine, her attendance at a Latin Mass with her husband, and time spent reading Scripture. READ
AI DEEPFAKES ARE TARGETING ELDERLY CATHOLICS “Deepfake” videos generated by artificial intelligence (AI) and impersonating Catholic clergy have proliferated online over the past year, prompting warnings from the Vatican, dioceses, and clergy. The videos use AI to fabricate realistic audio and video of real priests, bishops, and the Pope, often mimicking the tone of sermons or pastoral reflections before making requests for donations, personal information, or financial transfers. READ
AD: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHRIST'S LENT & YOURS? Answer: He offered His prayers and sacrifices only to benefit others. More closely imitate Our Lord by offering each day this Lent for a specific person--then give that person one of these striking Lenten postcards from Holy Heroes. The 40-card sets sold out twice already; 4th printing is shipping NOW (Lent starts in only 8 days)! GET LENTEN POSTCARDS NOW
MICHIGAN FACES LAWSUIT OVER PRO-ABORTION LAW Right to Life of Michigan filed a federal lawsuit Feb. 6 against Michigan officials, alleging that a state amendment violates its First Amendment rights by forcing it to recruit and hire pro-abortion individuals. READ
POPE MEETS WITH MINISTRY FOR SAME-SEX-ATTRACTED PEOPLE Leaders of Courage International met privately with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican last Friday. Courage is a Catholic apostolate that offers pastoral accompaniment to people who experience same-sex attraction and seek to live chastely. The group said its visit with the Holy Father marked a “historic moment” in its 45-year history. READ
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR FAMILY FOR THE WEEK Loads of laundry, mounds of dishes, and endless carpools – tasks in family life can add up quickly! But with a little planning and cooperation, you can drastically reduce your weekly workload, making for a smoother week. READ
CATHOLIC 101 When the weather is dark, cold, and dreary, it can become more tempting to turn to screens to tune out the discomfort. But are we turning to tech when we should be turning to God? READ
SAINT OF THE DAY Today the Church honors St. Scholastica, the twin sister of St. Benedict. When Benedict came to visit his sister toward the end of their lives, he refused to stay long. Scholastica prayed, and a violent storm arose, making it impossible for him to leave. She is now invoked as the patron saint of weather. READ
DAILY PSALM "How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!" (Psalm 84) READ
EXCLUSIVE: INSIDE FULTON SHEEN'S BEATIFICATION For Monsignor Jason Gray, director of the Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation, Sheen's beatification wasn't a question of if, only when. In a conversation with Mary Rose of Zeale News hours after Sheen's upcoming beatification was announced, Msgr. Gray explained that he personally investigated the miracle attributed to the archbishop's intercession. And in light of what he learned, Msgr. Gray said, the Church’s decision felt inevitable. READ
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