LOOP: GOP leaders celebrate Dobbs anniversary

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 GOP VOWS TO CONTINUE WORK OF PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT Republican leaders in Congress yesterday marked the three-year anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade with celebratory words and vows to continue the work of the pro-life movement. "There are babies alive today who would not be here without Dobbs," said Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune. "But today is also a reminder of how much work there is still to be done." House Speaker Mike Johnson delivered similar remarks.  READ CATHOLICVOTE TO CONGRESS: 'DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD'  CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt joined top pro-life leaders in a virtual rally yesterday, urging Congress to defund Planned Parenthood ahead of a crucial Senate vote. "Taxpayer dollars should never fund the destruction of innocent human life, yet every year Planned Parenthood receives $800 million in taxpayer funds," Reinhardt said.  READ POPE BLESSES, PRAYS FOR VICTIMS OF SUICIDE BOMBING AT SYRIAN CHRUCH  Pope Leo XIV has expressed sorrow for the victims of a recent suicide bombing at a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, that left 25 people dead and more than 60 wounded. The Pope expressed "heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this tragedy," according to a Vatican telegram. The Islamist attacker opened fire on worshipers during Divine Liturgy, hurled a grenade into the congregation, then detonated an explosive device on his person. READ ISRAELI FORCES SHOOT, KILL AT LEAST 25 GAZANS IN LINE FOR AID  Palestinian witnesses and hospitals reported yesterday that Israeli forces opened fire on hundreds of Gaza residents waiting for food aid from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in central Gaza, killing at least 25 and wounding over 140.  READ HELP YOUNG ADULTS SAY YES TO MARRIAGE  How prepared were YOU for marriage? Today, our young people feel paralyzed and unwilling to marry — or are even unable to find a spouse. If you work with young adults as a teacher or ministry leader — or you want better advice about how to encourage them to marry — then this workshop is the answer! Marriage can be in the future for the young adults you serve! RSVP FOR THE WORKSHOP! TEXAS RIDS CLASSROOMS OF CELL PHONE USE, ADDS 10 COMMANDMENTS  Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, signed more than 300 bills into law this month, including two major education measures that ban student cell phone use during school hours and require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Abbott, a Catholic, said his goal is to make the Lone Star State "#1 in education."  READ   DOJ TAKES ON ANTI-CATHOLIC LAW IN WASHINGTON STATE  The Trump administration Justice Department this week filed legal action against the State of Washington, challenging a controversial law that forces Catholic priests to violate the sacred confidentiality of the confessional.  READ WHAT TO PRAY IF NO PRIEST IS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF DEATH  Should no priest be present as a loved one dies, the Church allows baptized lay people to be ready to pray the powerful Apostolic Pardon. Get your Apostolic Pardon cards now! GET YOURS VATICAN APPOINTS NEW CUSTOS OF THE HOLY LAND  Father Francesco Ielpo, a Franciscan priest from Italy, has been elected the new custos of the Holy Land. The role of custos, traditionally held by a member of the Franciscans, involves overseeing Christian holy sites and representing the Catholic Church in the Holy Land. READ BISHOP BARRON RESPONDS TO CRITICISM OF TRUMP COMMISSION  Bishop Robert Barron recently stood up for his advocacy for Catholics to push back against secular encroachments on religious freedom as part of his work with the Religious Liberty Commission inaugurated by President Donald Trump. Responding to what he called a "silly" article by a secularist journalist, Bishop Barron pointed out the First Amendment's backing for the work of the Commission. READ SO MUCH NEWS...  Here are the stories we couldn't fit in today's LOOP: •    Florida has asked the Supreme Court to reinstate its immigration law. READ •    Establishment medical groups are doubling down on "trans" surgeries. READ •    The US Health Department is probing a hospital over anti-religious discrimination allegations.  READ RAISING KIDS WITH MANNERS  Though we generally notice and probably disapprove of the lack of manners these days, many parents do not think of manners as a central feature of childrearing. We think of it as a sort of "extracurricular" subject or something we think will be naturally passed down. But John Cuddeback at LifeCraft makes the case for the central importance of teaching manners.  READ CATHOLIC 101  Spiritual direction isn't something you want to merely show up to each time you meet. It's deep work and calls for some preparedness. Here are three ways to prepare for your spiritual direction meetings.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today, the Church remembers Saint William of Vercelli. The noble-born Italian was inspired to embrace a radical life of holiness after a pilgrimage he took at age 14. He performed miracles, founded a lasting monastery, and became a beacon of faith in 12th-century Italy. READ DAILY PSALM  "The Lord remembers his covenant for ever." (Psalm 105:8)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ WITNESS  Pope Leo XIV carried Jesus through the streets of Rome for the Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession on Sunday, despite 90-degree heat.  WATCH & SHARE Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization. Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here. CATHOLICVOTE  |  PO Box 3310  |  Carmel, IN 46082  |  (317) 669-6127