LOOP: Trump officially honors 1980 'Miracle on Ice'

The LOOP SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 TRUMP OFFICIALLY HONORS 1980 'MIRACLE ON ICE'  President Donald Trump signed a bill awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team for its historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 TRUMP OFFICIALLY HONORS 1980 'MIRACLE ON ICE' President Donald Trump signed a bill awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team for its historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. READ  MOST CATHOLIC VOTERS SUPPORT TRUMP DEPORTATIONS  Majorities of U.S. Catholics approve of Trump and his stance on immigration, a new EWTN News/RealClear Opinion Research poll has found. The revelation comes as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops continually opposes mass deportations. Here are the numbers.  READ POPE PRAYS FOR END TO DIVISION IN FIRST GUADALUPE HOMILY   In his first homily as Pope for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Leo invoked Mary's motherhood as a response to a divided world, urging nations and leaders "not to divide the world into irreconcilable fractions."  READ AD: THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON, CONSIDER HOW YOU BUY   Now more than ever, it's important to do business with companies who share your beliefs. Charity Mobile is the pro-life cell phone company! Make the switch and get nationwide coverage, affordable plans, a U.S.-based pro-life customer service team, and a FREE phone and power bank offer. Use promo code LOOP at checkout! Offer good through 2/2/26 or while supplies last.    LEARN MORE DEMOCRATS RELEASE PHOTOS FROM EPSTEIN ESTATE  House Democrats on the Oversight Committee yesterday released a batch of photos from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein. The photos feature Epstein in social settings with Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and other prominent figures.  READ AD: START ANYTIME, LEARN ANYTIME - HOMESCHOOL MADE SIMPLE   Building your perfect homeschool schedule just got easier! With unlimited access to hundreds of recorded courses from faithful Catholic instructors, you can start and stop anytime — no pressure, no deadlines. Explore everything from literature to chemistry, all on your family's schedule and budget.  LEARN MORE PRITZKER SIGNS ILLINOIS SUICIDE BILL INTO LAW   Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Dec. 12 signed legislation allowing terminally ill patients to take life-ending medication prescribed by a doctor, making Illinois the first state in the Midwest to legalize medical aid in dying.  READ VATICAN NATIVITY SCENE HAS A PRO-LIFE MESSAGE  Each year, the Vatican features Nativity scenes to encourage the faithful to meditate on the birth of Our Lord, but this year, one of them will also encourage all who see it to pray for mothers considering abortion. Costa Rican sacred artist Paula Senoto worked with the pro-life organization 40 Days for Life to make the Nativity scene.  READ WORK WITH US!  CatholicVote is looking for passionate, mission-driven people to join the team. Could you be our next hire?   APPLY HERE FAMILY CHRISTMAS MOVIES   Here's a nice long list of classic Christmas movies for the whole family to watch throughout the season, categorized by age groups and annotated with notes on how to stream each film. All that's left to do is to get the hot chocolate on the stove!  READ ADVENT COOKING CALENDAR   Celebrate December feast days with this guide from the Refine team. Nothing too elaborate — just one themed recipe to honor each saint. Here's to new liturgical traditions!  READ MONASTERY-MADE GIFTS  Many monasteries and communities of religious brothers and sisters depend on proceeds from the sales of their products to sustain their lives of prayer and service throughout the year. And what's more Christmassy than giving a monastery-made gift? Here are some great options for the remaining people on your list.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today, the Church celebrates St. Lucy, who submitted herself to torture and death instead of giving up her dignity and vow of fidelity to God. A magistrate ordered that her eyes be torn out, and she was then put to death by beheading. Before her burial, however, it was discovered that her eyes had been miraculously restored.  READ SATURDAY'S PSALM  "Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved." (Psalm 80)  READ SATURDAY'S READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ SUNDAY'S PSALM  "Lord, come and save us." (Isaiah 35)  READ SUNDAY'S READINGS  Sunday's Mass readings.  READ ANSWER TO TRIVIA   Gaudete Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent. The word "Gaudete" means "Rejoice!"  WITNESS  Poland's Christmas Market is often ranked among the most beautiful in Europe, thanks to its rich traditions and strong Catholic heritage.  WATCH & SHARE    Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization., PO Box 3310, Carmel, IN 46082 (317) 669-6127 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

LOOP: Federal judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

The LOOP FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 FED JUDGE ORDERS RELEASE OF KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA  A federal judge yesterday ordered immigration officials to immediately release Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran national who was wrongfully deported in March and later brought back to the U.S.

View in browser FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 FED JUDGE ORDERS RELEASE OF KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA  A federal judge yesterday ordered immigration officials to immediately release Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran national who was wrongfully deported in March and later brought back to the U.S. He has been held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since August while facing federal smuggling charges.  READ INDIANA SENATE REJECTS TRUMP-BACKED REDISTRICTING MAP Indiana's Republican-controlled Senate voted yesterday to reject a redistricting plan that would have redrawn the state's nine U.S. House districts and given Republicans full control of the delegation in the 2026 midterms. In the 19-31 vote, 21 Republican senators joined all 10 Democrats to reject the measure.  READ TYLER ROBINSON MAKES FIRST IN-PERSON COURT APPEARANCE   Accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson made his first in-person court appearance yesterday, facing numerous felony charges including aggravated murder. Fox News reported that ongoing investigations of the Kirk murder have been characterized by "unprecedented secrecy," adding that "much of the case [against Robinson] has unfolded behind closed doors, prompting a coalition of media organizations, including Fox News, to demand greater transparency."  READ REPUBLICAN INTRODUCES BILL TO WITHDRAW US FROM NATO  Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced legislation Dec. 9 to withdraw the U.S. from NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), arguing the alliance places an unfair financial burden on American taxpayers. "NATO is a Cold War relic," Massie said. "We should withdraw from NATO and use that money to defend our own country, not socialist countries."  READ  AD: LOOP EXCLUSIVE—TODAY ONLY: CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOUR PRIEST!  Your pastor will LOVE one of our "7 Gifts for Priests," including TODAY ONLY an exclusive buy-1-get-1-FREE stunning hi-res image of the face of Our Lady of Guadalupe — the actual size on the tilma. Contemplate her face and her words to St. Juan Diego when you pray. For every rectory, sacristy, nursery, school, and home — inspires all ages! One for you, one to give away!   READ HOUSE PASSES $900B DEFENSE BILL, AIDING UKRAINE, ISRAEL   The House passed the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this week, approving a roughly $900 billion military spending blueprint that includes millions in security assistance for Ukraine and Israel.  READ MUSLIM BUSINESSMAN 'SAVES CHRISTMAS' IN DEARBORN  A heartwarming story out of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, is going viral after a local Arab businessman helped "save Christmas" by teaming up with a nearby Christmas tree farm. When Sam Hussein learned the city's annual Christmas tree wouldn't arrive in time for the beloved community lighting ceremony, he made sure a new one was ordered and delivered just in time through a generous donation.  READ US SEIZES VENEZUELAN OIL TANKER, CLAIMING TERROR LINK  The U.S. seized an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast this week, marking another escalation in Washington's pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Federal officials later said the vessel belonged to an illicit shipping network that supports foreign terrorist organizations.  LEARN MORE   AD: FAITH FORGED IN BEAUTY!  Metal holy cards - several available. Fantastic stocking stuffers! Holiness and beauty together.   GET MORE INFORMATION   ICE DETAINEES GET SACRAMENTS FROM CALIFORNIA BISHOPS  Bishop Alberto Rojas of San Bernardino and six other California bishops celebrated Mass for about 300 detainees at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center outside Los Angeles this Wednesday. The bishops celebrated the outdoor Mass on a basketball court inside the men's section of the facility, where detainees asked them to bless Bibles and rosaries.  READ CATHOLIC FOOTBALL LEGEND RETURNS TO NFL Philip Rivers, the 44-year-old father of 10 and grandfather of one, has returned to the NFL, signing this week with the Indianapolis Colts after the team lost multiple quarterbacks to season-ending injuries. Rivers, a devout Catholic, says his priorities are "faith, family, football" — in that order — and describes Mass as the non-negotiable anchor of his life since childhood.  READ NOT TO BE MISSED...  Here are the stories we couldn't fit in today's LOOP: The Vatican has approved a new Carmelite monastery to replace the nuns involved in a recent scandal in Arlington, Texas.  READ Instagram banned the largest Catholic account on the platform.  READ A Catholic outreach project to new moms says there is a rising need for support.  READ GUIDE: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS  Here's a thorough "guide to the cozy season" from Real Simple. Warm up your home, get the scents wafting, resurrect old traditions, play some games, cook some food, and lots more!  READ CATHOLIC 101  Members of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity explained ahead of today's feast day the importance of Our Lady of Guadalupe in their mission and work.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  "I am the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the true God." These are the words Our Lady spoke to St. Juan Diego when she first appeared to him. Read the full story behind the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose feast day we celebrate today.  READ DAILY PSALM  "You are the highest honor of our race." (Judith 15)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ THE DEEP  Why do middle-class Americans feel poor in the "best economy ever?" From $140K poverty lines to the death of the middle class, we dig into the K-shaped economy. If you've ever wondered why the American Dream feels out of reach, this episode of The Deep is for you!  WATCH Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization., PO Box 3310, Carmel, IN 46082 (317) 669-6127 Unsubscribe Manage preferences