LOOP: Hamas enters peace talks, Trump tells Israel to stop bombing

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 - FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI HAMAS OPTS INTO NEGOTIATIONS, TRUMP TELLS ISRAEL TO STOP BOMBING  After Hamas announced its response to his peace proposal yesterday, President Donald Trump called on Israel to "immediately stop the bombing of Gaza" to clear the way for the release of hostages.  READ CATHOLICVOTE JOINS LETTER AGAINST NEW ABORTION DRUG APPROVAL  CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt joined other leaders yesterday calling on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary to immediately reverse the FDA's recent approval of a new generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone.  READ GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CONTINUES  The government shutdown entered its third day yesterday as the Senate again failed to advance either party's stopgap funding measure. A GOP-backed plan fell 54-44, with three members of the Democratic caucus joining Republicans for the third straight vote. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was the lone Republican holdout. A Democratic proposal also failed 46-52.  READ FBI CUTS TIES WITH NOTORIOUS 'HATE' TRACKER  The FBI announced it has severed ties with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a left-wing group notorious for labeling mainstream conservative groups and Catholics as extremists on its "hate map." FBI Director Kash Patel said the SPLC "long ago abandoned civil rights work and turned into a partisan smear machine."  READ AD: SAVE UNBORN LIVES AND SAVE MONEY WITH CHARITY MOBILE!  When you switch your cell phone service to Charity Mobile, 5% of your monthly plan price supports the live-saving work of your favorite Pro-Life charity. All monthly plans are under $50 before taxes and surcharges, including Unlimited, and you can save even more with every line you add! Plus, every new line gets a free phone offer with promo code LOOP.  LEARN MORE KAVANAUGH WOULD-BE ASSASSIN SENTENCED  Nicholas John Roske, who plotted to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022, was sentenced yesterday to eight years in federal prison and lifetime supervised release after pleading guilty earlier this year.  READ US BISHOPS ASK FTC TO PROBE MISLEADING 'TRANS' ADS  The legal advisors for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have urged the Federal Trade Commission to investigate what they called deceptive advertising of so-called "gender-affirming care," warning that drugs used to "transition" children cause "physical, psychological, and spiritual harms."  READ AD: LIFE ON BELAY HELPS PRO-LIFE NONPROFITS  2x lives saved with their strategic support!  READ MORE FALL FAMILY ACTIVITIES  Fall activities can easily run you over $100, but you can affordably enjoy the season with your family if you know your options. Here are cheap and free fall activities, whether it's making a treat at home, exploring nature, or participating in little local adventures.  READ TODDLER SNACKS  Toddlers are notoriously picky eaters, and at the same time, they're always hungry. So our Refine team has put together a collection of stress-free, toddler-approved snacks. Some are so interactive that children might even find them fun to eat! READ ITALY RESTORES SAINT FRANCIS TO NATIONAL CALENDAR  Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is making a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi today, celebrating a historic decision to restore his feast day, October 4, as a national holiday in Italy!  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  On his way to a battle, St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) received a vision from God in which God told him to return. This set him on the path to becoming a great saint. Over time, Francis built a community of brothers with whom he cared for the poor, praised God, and wrote a beautiful poem on creation called "The Canticle of the Sun." READ SATURDAY'S PSALM  "The Lord listens to the poor." (Psalm 69) READ SATURDAY'S READINGS  Saturday's Mass readings. READ SUNDAY'S PSALM  "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Psalm 95) READ SUNDAY'S READINGS  Sunday's Mass readings. READ ANSWER TO THE TRIVIA  The antiphon usually precedes a psalm at a Low Mass. THE CATHEDRAL OF THE PLAINS  When William Jennings Bryan arrived in Victoria, Kansas, in 1912, he was amazed by the sight of St. Fidelis Catholic Church — its limestone towers rising above the prairie. Awestruck, Jennings dubbed St. Fidelis "The Cathedral of the Plains," unaware that its story had begun decades earlier with a group of German Catholic immigrants. 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