LOOP: COURT SAYS LITTLE SISTERS MUST PAY FOR CONTRACEPTIVES

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 FEDERAL COURT: LITTLE SISTERS MUST PAY FOR CONTRACEPTION A federal court ruled against the Little Sisters of the Poor's bid to be exempted from providing contraception to staff. The nationwide ruling yesterday blocked conscience protections set in place by the Trump administration.  READ TRUMP & PUTIN MEETING ON ASSUMPTION, BISHOP POINTS OUT  Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska, is urging the faithful to "ask for Mary's intercession for peace and justice" in Ukraine "and around the world" ahead of Friday's planned summit between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska. One sign of hope? As Bishop Conley pointed out, the meeting will take place on the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady.  READ VIRGINIA SCHOOL OFFICIALS TO BE CRIMINALLY INVESTIGATED  Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin yesterday directed state police to open a full criminal investigation into allegations that officials at a Fairfax County high school facilitated and paid for two minor girls' abortions. "I am deeply concerned with the allegations," Youngkin said, noting that school officials allegedly arranged the abortions "without parental consent."  READ VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL ABORTION SCANDAL DEEPENS  A high school teacher who blew the whistle on the abortion scandal in Virginia now says that she has raised concerns about the claims seven times since May 2022. The teacher this week accused officials of "covering up" the disturbing case. READ AD: GET AN AFFORDABLE, WORLD-CLASS ONLINE CATHOLIC EDUCATION  Choose from hundreds of LIVE and recorded homeschool courses in all subjects, including math, theology, science, music, and writing. Your children in grades 3 through 12 will learn from experts who are passionate about their subjects and faithful to the Catholic Church. Enroll with the code 25loop10d before Sept. 1 to get $10 off each LIVE course! LEARN HERE POPE LEO TO SHARE A MEAL WITH 100 HOMELESS THIS SUNDAY This coming Sunday, Pope Leo will break bread with 100 homeless people in Albano, Italy, sharing Holy Mass, stories, and a single table. The Pope was "very pleased with the idea" after the local bishop invited him to the dinner, a local organizer reported. READ SCREEN TIME CAUSES BRAIN DAMAGE  Addictions to smartphones are having devastating effects on Americans' responsibility, commitment, and self-control capabilities, a recent analysis found. The study's results are "beyond alarming," said one commentator.  READ AD: PRO-LIFERS, PICK UP THE PHONE   Switch to Charity Mobile, the pro-life phone company!  LEARN MORE BISHOPS: ANTI-CATHOLIC VIOLENCE RISES IN INDIA  The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India has condemned a recent attack on two priests in the Indian state of Odisha, warning of a "growing trend of mass violence" that "poses a serious threat to the security, protection and peaceful coexistence of all communities."  READ POPE LEO'S DISSERTATION TO BE PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH  This October, Catholics will be able to read Pope Leo's 1987 canon law dissertation in English thanks to Catholic University of America Press. The dissertation by then-Father Robert Prevost includes his theological insights about Eucharistic liturgy in Augustinian community life, ecclesial authority, and the mission of the priesthood.   READ SO MUCH NEWS...  Here are the stories we couldn't fit it today's LOOP: •    The US Bishops have recognized four Catholics for their pro-life witness. READ •    A canon lawyer outlines serious concerns about the Archdiocese of New Orleans. READ •    An Idaho law does not prevent schools from displaying "In God we trust." READ SAINTS IN YOUR MOM CORNER  There are obvious saints that moms love to turn to: Saints Anne, Monica, Mary herself... But the Church is rich with intercessors, helpers, and comforters. From the Refine team, here are six lesser-known saints who are perfect for moms when you're getting through chores, helping sick kids, experiencing maternal suffering, and praying for your sons and daughters.  READ CATHOLIC 101  Pope Leo powerfully explained yesterday that recognizing our sorrow with sincerity — rather than denying the existence of evil — can create an opportunity, albeit a painful one, for conversion.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today the Church honors the 813 Holy Martyrs of Otranto, canonized by Pope Francis in 2013. They "refused to renounce their faith and died confessing the risen Christ," Pope Francis said at Mass on the day he canonized them. "Where did they find the strength to remain faithful? Precisely in faith, which allows us to see beyond the limits of our human eyes, beyond the boundaries of earthly life, to contemplate 'the heavens opened' – as St. Stephen said – and the living Christ at the right hand of the Father." READ DAILY PSALM  "Alleluia!" (Psalm 114)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ THE KNIGHTS' FATHER  The men weren't coming to church anymore. Father Michael McGivney knew the devastating consequences that could lead to, especially for women and children. With a small group of parishioners, the 29-year-old assistant pastor founded the Knights of Columbus in the basement of St. Mary's Church, New Haven, Connecticut, in March 1882. The term "Knights" was meant to call the men on to greatness, while "Columbus" celebrated America's Catholic roots.  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