LOOP: Thousands gather to honor Charlie Kirk at memorial service

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 TENS OF THOUSANDS HONOR KIRK AT FAITH-FILLED MEMORIAL  Tens of thousands filled State Farm Stadium yesterday for the public memorial of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, in a service marked as much by prayer and worship as by political tributes. The gathering reached full capacity with more than 63,000 in attendance, while thousands more waited outside or watched from nearby overflow areas.  READ BISHOPS URGE CARDINAL CUPICH TO DROP DURBIN'S AWARD  Two prominent US bishops are publicly urging Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago to rescind plans to honor Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., with a "Lifetime Achievement Award," citing the senator's decades-long record of supporting abortion.  READ ERIKA KIRK FORGIVES HER HUSBAND'S KILLER  Standing before thousands at the memorial service for her late husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk offered forgiveness for the man accused of taking his life. Leaning heavily on her faith, she explained it "was what Christ did, and is what Charlie would do."  READ AD: IS YOUR PHONE COMPANY PRO-LIFE?  Many phone companies funnel dollars to causes that don't align with our Faith, but Charity Mobile sends 5% of your monthly plan price to the Pro-Life, Pro-Family charity of your choice. All plans are under $50 before taxes and surcharges, and new customers get a free phone offer with promo code LOOP. Switch to Charity Mobile and buy the way you believe!  LEARN MORE THREE NATIONS RECOGNIZE PALESTINE AS STATE, ISRAEL OBJECTS  The United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia announced yesterday they will recognize a Palestinian state, expressing hope that a two-state solution will foster peace. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the move and said that a "Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River."  READ ST CARLO'S CANONIZATION INSPIRES UTAH YOUTH At a Mass celebrating Saint Carlo Acutis' canonization, Salt Lake City Bishop Oscar Solis praised young Catholics, calling them "a blessing for the Church," and urged them to follow the saint's example of ordinary holiness. READ PHILADELPHIA COUPLE SUES DOCTOR OVER COERCED GENDER 'TRANSITION' A married couple in Philadelphia is suing several medical providers for malpractice, alleging that the providers coerced the husband into taking hormones and undergoing "gender transition" surgery. READ PROCLAIM YOUR PRAYER  We're asking St. Michael to help us fight the evil trying to steal the soul of our nation. Proclaim your faith in the Archangel's protection and call others to prayer with exclusive merch from CatholicVote. CLICK HERE JUSTICE ALITO WARNS OF GLOBAL RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION  Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. warned that religious liberty is under serious threat worldwide during a Saturday event in Rome, the first major initiative hosted by Brian Burch, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.  READ POPE PRAISES CATHOLIC AID IN GAZA  During his Angelus address yesterday, Pope Leo XIV called on the faithful to use their possessions and even their lives in service to God and others. He also praised Catholic groups aiding those suffering in Gaza, where a recent Israeli ground invasion has intensified a humanitarian crisis. "Together with you and with the Pastors of the Churches in the Holy Land, I repeat: there is no future based on violence, forced exile, or revenge," he said.  READ NOT TO BE MISSED...  Here are the stories we couldn't fit in today's LOOP: •    The "Charlie Effect" gains momentum as more share stories of returning to God. READ •    US bishop urges Catholics to be "agents of hope" throughout Respect Life Month this October. READ •    NYT columnist: Kirk's assassination is a wake-up call for the Left.  READ EASY BREAKFAST IDEAS  Unless it's a lazy weekend morning, breakfast, in all reality, just needs to be quick and simple. But that doesn't mean you need to eat a bowl of Cheerios five days a week. Here are tons of options, many of which you can make ahead for simple warming up!  READ CATHOLIC 101  There is so much to admire, appreciate, and love about animals, especially our pets. We come to realize that we have much in common with them if we spend time around them. But still, there are vast differences between us that can never be bridged.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today the Church celebrates Saint Thomas of Villanova, a Spanish Augustinian monk and archbishop. Known for his simplicity and austerity, he devoted himself to meeting both the spiritual and material needs of his people. READ DAILY PSALM  "The Lord has done marvels for us." (Psalm 126)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ AD: TIRED OF MEANINGLESS STANDARDIZED TESTS?  Classic Learning Test (CLT) offers exams that complement, not compromise, your Catholic education. The CLT "really tests for this understanding of truth, goodness, and beauty" — Bishop James Conley  EXPLORE MEANINGFUL EXAMS 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