LOOP: Trump admin sends humanitarian aid to Christians in Syria

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 Editor's note regarding Hurricane Melissa: This storm has made landfall in Jamaica and threatened severe flooding in parts of Haiti. It's expected to reach Cuba early Wednesday. Initial reports are grim, and we will keep you abreast of the latest in the next LOOP. Please join us in praying for all in the path of this ferocious hurricane. TRUMP SENDING AID TO PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS IN SYRIA  The Trump administration announced new humanitarian aid this week for Southern Syria, directing relief to Christian, Druze, and Bedouin communities that have faced years of violence and displacement amid the country's ongoing instability.  READ NETANYAHU ORDERS NEW STRIKES ON GAZA, IMPERILING DEAL  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday ordered his military to immediately launch "powerful" strikes on Gaza, threatening to unravel the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Initial strikes reportedly killed at least two and wounded four in a residential neighborhood.  READ US BISHOP: END GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN  The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging Congress and the White House to end the federal government shutdown, warning that millions of Americans who depend on government aid could soon face severe hardship if essential programs remain unfunded.  READ AD: MAKE EVERY PHONE CALL COUNT…FOR LIFE!  Are you still giving your hard-earned money to a phone company that doesn't support your values? With Charity Mobile, 5% of your monthly plan price supports life-affirming causes and ministries across the country—at no extra cost to you! All plans are under $50 before taxes and surcharges, and every new line gets a free phone offer with promo code LOOP.  LEARN MORE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN DRAGS ON AS DEMS VOTE DOWN BILL  Senate Democrats again rejected a Republican-led funding bill yesterday, prolonging the government shutdown that has left thousands of federal workers — now including air traffic controllers — without pay.  READ THE HISTORY OF KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AND TOOTSIE ROLLS  Many people are used to seeing Knights of Columbus with Tootsie rolls by the bucket offering the candy to those who make donations to help people with intellectual disabilities. But how did this tradition start?  READ DEM ANALYST: SO WHAT IF WE WIN NEXT WEEK?  A progressive analyst is downplaying the stakes of next week's state elections, arguing that even if Democrats sweep closely watched races in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, the results will mean little for the party's future power and direction.  READ AD: ACCESS 7 CATHOLIC MUTUAL FUNDS  With religious values guided by prominent Catholics, including Coach Lou Holtz, Callista Gingrich, and Michael Knowles.  GET INFORMATION TODAY POPE LEO ISSUES LANDMARK LETTER ON EDUCATION  Marking the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's seminal declaration on Christian education Gravissimum educationis, Pope Leo issued an apostolic letter Oct. 28 calling on Catholic educators to "inaugurate a new era that speaks to the hearts of the new generations."  READ JIMMY LAI'S SON SPEAKS UP FOR IMPRISONED FATHER  Days ahead of President Donald Trump's Oct. 30 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the son of imprisoned Catholic Chinese dissident Jimmy Lai spoke in Italy about hopes that international efforts will obtain freedom for his father, who is in solitary confinement awaiting what will likely be a life sentence from a Hong Kong court.  READ NOT TO BE MISSED...  Here are the stories we couldn't fit in today's LOOP: •    Planned Parenthood has found a way to resume abortions in Wisconsin. READ •    Idaho's attorney general asked for a court to dismiss a doctor's lawsuit against the state's pro-life law. READ •    Persecuted Christians in India have renewed hope after the nation's supreme court ruled they have a right to evangelize.  READ MAKE HALLOWEEN HALLOWED AGAIN?  In response to the Halloween culture that glorifies gore, horror, and the occult, an author wrote an article in The Denver Catholic encouraging Catholics to take back, rather than abandon, the holiday with a strong faith-based response.  READ CATHOLIC 101  Pope Saint John Paul II believed our era doesn't lack information so much as it lacks wonder. Faced with technocracy and utilitarian drift, he proposed a poetic posture — one that sees creation, revelation, and humanity with awe. Here's why reclaiming a "climate of wonder" may be more urgent than any government policy.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today is the feast of Saint Narcissus, who was consecrated Bishop of Jerusalem about the year 180. He was already an old man at the time. He was known even during his lifetime for many miracles God granted through his intercession.  READ DAILY PSALM  "My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy." (Psalm 13)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ SURPRISING STORY OF NEW YORK'S FRENCH BISHOP  Smuggled out of revolutionary France in 1791, Father John Dubois arrived in America, befriended Patrick Henry, founded Mount St. Mary's, and became New York's third bishop, serving a vast mission stretching to St. Louis.  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