FRIDAY, MARCH 6, FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART

TRUMP SAYS HE WILL HELP CHOOSE IRAN'S NEXT LEADER As the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran entered its sixth day yesterday, President Donald Trump said he must be involved in choosing the country's next supreme leader and claimed the operation is "far ahead of schedule." U.S. forces have already struck nearly 200 targets across Iran and sunk dozens of naval vessels, officials said. READ

NOEM OFFICIALLY OUT AS DHS SECRETARY Trump announced yesterday that he is replacing Kristi Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security with Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, marking the first major Cabinet shake-up of his second term. READ

TRIBUTES AND STORIES FOR LOU HOLTZ After legendary Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz died this week at 89, tributes poured in across sports, politics, and Catholic communities. Former players and public figures shared memories on social media — including his former player Jerome Bettis recalling the day Holtz sat down with his mother and promised he would take care of her son. READ

SUPREME COURT SIDES WITH GOVERNMENT IN MAJOR IMMIGRATION CASE The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that federal appeals courts must defer to immigration judges when reviewing asylum decisions. The ruling is expected to make it harder for migrants to overturn denied claims. READ

VANCE SAYS CHURCH-GOV CLASHES ON IMMIGRATION ARE INEVITABLE Vice President JD Vance said tensions between government officials and Catholic bishops over immigration policy are inevitable because the government and the Church have different roles. He added that the disagreements should be approached "in a spirit of charity," and acknowledged he may have spoken "too harshly" when criticizing Church leaders in the past. READ

FATHER SAYS SACRED HEART SAVED HIS FAMILY FROM CRASH After their car flipped in a violent crash, a Spanish father says the Sacred Heart of Jesus protected his family as he, his wife, and their four children walked away without a single injury. The family had a long-standing devotion to the Sacred Heart and even had a holy card of the image in the car during the crash. "For our family, what happened was a confirmation that our trust was well placed. The Sacred Heart of Jesus had protected us," he said, calling it a "miracle." READ

CALIFORNIA DIOCESE CONDEMNS SEX OFFENDER USING CATHEDRAL AS 'PROP' FOR PRESS CONFERENCE The Catholic Diocese of Fresno condemned a press conference held by a registered child sex offender and city council candidate outside St. John's Cathedral, saying the church was used as a "prop" for political purposes. The event drew particular concern because the cathedral sits across the street from an elementary school. READ

FAITH THAT LASTS Our new Classic Style Metal Holy Cards combine powerful sacred imagery with a durable metal design that won't tear, or fade. Keep protection, prayer, and inspiration in your wallet every day. A timeless reminder of faith—made to endure wherever life takes you. LEARN MORE

HOUSE GRILLS WALZ ABOUT FRAUD Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, faced sharp questioning during a contentious House hearing examining allegations of widespread fraud tied to federally funded programs in his state. Lawmakers pressed Walz on how much he knew about the fraud and why his administration didn't stop it sooner, as investigators say potential losses could exceed $9 billion. READ

RHODE ISLAND DIOCESE PUSHES BACK ON AG ABUSE REPORT The Diocese of Providence pushed back yesterday against a report from Rhode Island's attorney general on past child sexual abuse in the diocese, saying the state mischaracterized a voluntary records review as an "investigation." The diocese also questioned the timing of the report's release, suggesting it may be aimed at influencing debate over proposed legislation. READ

NOT TO BE MISSED... Here are the stories we couldn't fit in today's LOOP:

A new report from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions details how Afghan Christian refugees in Pakistan fear forced return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. READ
The Catholic University of America announced Monsignor James Shea as its 2026 commencement speaker. READ
An appeals court ruled to allow a subpoena in a probe of the Archdiocese of Seattle over clergy abuse claims. READ

THE BENEFITS OF WRITING IN YOUR BOOKS Writing in the margins of your books can transform reading from a passive activity into a lively conversation with the author. The centuries-old habit turns well-loved books into personal journals filled with questions, insights, and reflections — while helping you remember what you've read long after you close the cover. READ

CATHOLIC 101 Blaise Pascal's life changed forever after a late-night mystical encounter with God. The brilliant mathematician would go on to devote himself to defending the Christian faith, reminding believers that human reason alone cannot satisfy the deepest longings of the soul. READ

SAINT OF THE DAY Born in France in 1381 after her parents prayed for the intercession of St. Nicholas, St. Colette later gave away her inheritance to the poor and became a Franciscan religious. Despite fierce opposition, she led a major reform of the Poor Clares and founded 17 convents. She earned a reputation for holiness and miracles, especially for mothers and women seeking to conceive. READ

DAILY PSALM "Remember the marvels the Lord has done." (Psalm 105) READ

DAILY READINGS Today's Mass readings. READ

FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION What if one simple devotion could change your life—and our nation? The First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the Church's most powerful practices. This Lent is the perfect time to begin. WATCH & SHARE

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Thursday, 5 March 2026

Victory at the Supreme Court…

Friend,

For too long in recent years, unelected judges and government bureaucracies have inserted themselves into matters that belong not to the state, but to individuals and families.

The most troubling example is the growing attempt to push parents out of the most intimate responsibilities they possess: the duty and natural right to guide the upbringing, formation, and care of their children.

Parents are not secondary stakeholders in a child's life. They are not bystanders to their child's moral, emotional, or psychological development. They are the primary guardians entrusted with that responsibility by both nature and God.

Yet across the country, policies have emerged that treat parents as obstacles rather than as the essential protectors of their children's well-being.

This week, the Supreme Court of the United States took an important step in correcting that injustice.

In a major victory for parental rights, the Court upheld an injunction blocking California's so-called "gender secrecy" policy. Under this policy, schools were encouraged to conceal from parents when a child adopted a gender identity different from his or her biological sex, with notification permitted only if the child consented.

The consequences of such policies are not theoretical.

In one case central to the lawsuit, an eighth-grade girl began identifying as a boy at school. Her parents were never informed. They discovered the situation only after their daughter was hospitalized following a suicide attempt. Later, when the same student attended a new school and again identified as a boy, the concealment from her parents continued.

Teachers themselves have increasingly spoken out about the moral dilemma created by such policies—being pressured to withhold vital information from parents or risk professional punishment.

With the support of the Thomas More Society, teachers joined concerned parents in challenging the policy in court. After a district court issued an injunction, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated it. The case ultimately reached the Supreme Court.

The Court restored the injunction and reaffirmed a principle that should never have been in doubt.

"Under long-established precedent," the Court wrote, "parents—not the state—have primary authority with respect to 'the upbringing and education of children.' The right protected by these precedents includes the right not to be shut out of participation in decisions regarding their children's mental health."

This ruling reflects more than a legal technicality. It reflects a truth older than any constitution or statute; therefore, it is an important step toward restoring moral clarity in a culture that too often treats parents as adversaries rather than allies in the care of children.

But the deeper question remains: how did we reach a point where schools believe they may conceal life-altering information from parents in the first place?

Rebuilding a culture that respects the family will take more than a single court decision. It will require courage from parents, from teachers, and from citizens willing to defend the simple but profound truth that children belong first to their families, not to the state.

For now, common sense and natural law have prevailed.

And that is something worth celebrating.

Go forward bravely,

Kelsey Reinhardt
President & CEO

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