LOOP: Israel strikes Syria, US pushes peace deal

THURSDAY, JULY 17 ISRAEL STRIKES SYRIA, US ANNOUNCES PLAN TO EASE VIOLENCE Israel struck Syria's military headquarters in Damascus in response to attacks on the Druze community in southern Syria. Hours later, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that all sides had agreed to "specific steps" to end the violence.  READ TRUMP: EPSTEIN SPECULATION IS A 'HOAX'  President Donald Trump yesterday called public speculation about Jeffrey Epstein's death a Democrat-driven "hoax" and distanced himself from supporters still raising concerns. "It's started by Democrats. It's been run by the Democrats for four years," he said. "Some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net."  READ VACCINE VICTIMS SPEAK OUT  Families devastated by vaccine injuries shared emotional testimonies before a Senate subcommittee this week. Dr. Susan Berry reports for CatholicVote on a hearing that spotlighted years of suffering, silence, and a system critics say has failed to tell the full story. READ ABORTION INDUSTRY'S BACKUP PLAN  If mifepristone faces restrictions under the Trump administration, pro-abortion clinicians are prepared to pivot to misoprostol-only abortions — despite reports showing higher risk of medical complications and harm to women. READ AD: NEW & BI-LINGUAL CARLO ACUTIS COLORING BOOK - JUST $2!  Stock up now for Carlo's canonization on September 7! Big coloring pages tell his life PLUS BONUS PAGES: the 8 steps Carlo himself taught children were his "kit to become a saint"! English and Spanish captions, plus delightful illustrations to touch a child's heart. Get enough for your parish, school, homeschool group, etc. While supplies last, now only $2! ORDER FOR YOUR FAMILY, PARISH, OR SCHOOL FOR JUST $2 WORLD'S #1 GOLFER SAYS HE'S A FATHER FIRST  At a July 15 press conference, the world's No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler made it clear that no matter how many trophies he collects, nothing in his career compares to the joy and responsibility of family life. "I would much rather be a great father than I would be a great golfer," he said.  READ   CHRISTIAN TEEN ESCAPES CAPTIVITY IN PAKISTAN  A 16-year-old Christian girl in Pakistan escaped captivity last month after enduring more than two years of reported sexual abuse, forced conversion, and coercion under a Muslim family that kidnapped her when she was just 14.  READ AD: PRO-LIFERS, PICK UP THE PHONE  Switch to Charity Mobile, the pro-life phone company! LEARN MORE PRIESTS FIGHT LAW VIOLATING CONFESSION SEAL  Several bishops and priests appeared in federal court this week to ask a judge to block a Washington state law that would jail priests for upholding the seal of Confession. The law, set to take effect July 27, has drawn fierce challenges from religious liberty advocates. READ NIGERIAN BISHOPS DECRY 'SILENT GENOCIDE'  Violence against Christians in Nigeria is escalating at an alarming rate, and Catholic leaders warn that a coordinated campaign of persecution — marked by massacres and the routine abduction of clergy — has become a near-daily reality.  READ BONUS NEWS...  Here are the stories we couldn't fit in today's LOOP: •    Here's why economists are growing more optimistic about the economy. READ •    A federal judge reaffirmed her decision to freeze Trump's plan to cut Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood. READ •    An Ohio priest explains why what you wear to church still matters.  READ PUSH & PULL IN FATHERHOOD  Tom Vander Woude jumped into a septic tank to save his drowning son. By his efforts, his son survived, but Tom did not. His last words were, "You pull, I'll push." So simple and so direct, these words say something profound about fatherhood and manhood. John Cuddeback, author of LifeCraft, explains.  READ CATHOLIC 101  We're encouraged — no, commanded to keep religion out of the workplace by many employers. But studies show that openness to religion in the workplace reduces stress, helps employees cope with problems, and increases productivity. Moreover, religious employees think differently about work itself, and this thinking can only benefit businesses if it is allowed to be expressed.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today marks the feast day of Saint Leo IV, the 9th-century Pope who led the Church during Saracen attacks on Rome. He famously fortified the city and is remembered as a miracle worker by his biographer. READ DAILY PSALM  "The Lord remembers his covenant for ever." (Psalm 105:8)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ OBSERVE THE TIME AND FLY  Father Joseph Alemany came to the US from Spain with a mission to bring the Gospel to the people living in what eventually became San Francisco. He lived among the gambling halls and brothels but was determined to bring the light of Christ. A few years later, he found a beautiful way to do just that.  READ 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