LOOP: Pope encourages Catholics to engage in politics

The LOOP THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11  POPE ENCOURAGES CATHOLIC ENGAGEMENT IN POLITICS  Pope Leo encouraged a group of conservative politicians yesterday to preserve the principles of Western cultural and political thought, calling Europe's Christian heritage "essential" to protecting the rights of "every human person, from conception to natural death." 

View in browser THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 POPE ENCOURAGES CATHOLIC ENGAGEMENT IN POLITICS  Pope Leo encouraged a group of conservative politicians yesterday to preserve the principles of Western cultural and political thought, calling Europe's Christian heritage "essential" to protecting the rights of "every human person, from conception to natural death."  READ DOJ SUES LOUDOUN COUNTY SCHOOLS OVER LGBT RULE  The Justice Department this week launched a lawsuit against the Loudoun County School Board in Virginia, accusing the district of violating the constitutional rights of two Christian high school boys who were suspended after objecting to a female student using the boys' locker room. The lawsuit goes after a pro-LGBT rule the district adopted, which allows students to use bathrooms and locker rooms according to their so-called "gender identity" rather than their true sex.  READ FED CUTS INTEREST RATE, MAY EASE CONSUMER EXPENSES  The Federal Reserve announced a quarter-percentage-point cut to its benchmark interest rate Dec. 10, lowering the target range to 3.5%-3.75% in a bid to support a softening job market while keeping inflation in check. The move may make it cheaper for Americans who hold mortgages, have credit card debt, or need to take out or refinance personal loans.  READ REPUBLICAN INTRODUCES BILL TO WITHDRAW US FROM NATO  Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced legislation Dec. 9 to withdraw the U.S. from NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), arguing the alliance places an unfair financial burden on American taxpayers. "NATO is a Cold War relic," Massie said. "We should withdraw from NATO and use that money to defend our own country, not socialist countries."  READ  TRUMP LAUNCHES 'GOLD CARD,' A HIGH-DOLLAR FAST PATH TO CITIZENSHIP  President Donald Trump announced Dec. 10 the official launch of the "Trump Gold Card," an immigration initiative that offers rapid U.S. residency and a path to citizenship in exchange for large financial contributions to the federal government.  READ PROVIDENCE & EDUCATION FROM NEBRASKA TO ROME  A flight cancellation in the Holy Land gave Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska, the opportunity to go to Rome in November during the Jubilee of Education — and to shake hands with Pope Leo. Bishop Conley, a longtime promoter of classical education, recently reflected on the whole experience in a column for his diocesan website.  READ PARISH WITH ANTI-ICE NATIVITY REJECTS ARCHDIOCESAN REBUKE  Bucking an official denunciation from the Archdiocese of Boston, Saint Susanna Parish in Dedham, Massachusetts, has issued a statement defending its controversial Nativity scene in which the Holy Family is replaced by a sign reading "ICE WAS HERE." The parish's statement claims the nativity scene is "a prophetic reflection that challenges the faithful to find new paths to bring the Good News announced that first Christmas to all of God's people."  READ AD: ANSWER THE CALL  Join a cell phone service that supports your pro-life values by switching to Charity Mobile today!  LEARN MORE   CATHOLICS PETITION POPE LEO OVER MARIAN TITLES  Catholics from around the world are signing a petition expressing concern over a recent Vatican doctrinal note that tamps down the use of the Marian titles "Mediator of All Graces" and "Co-Redemptrix." The petition makes a case for the Marian titles and asks Pope Leo XIV to reconsider the note's contents.  READ JIMMY LAI'S DAUGHTER PLEADS FOR HONG KONG HERO'S LIFE  Jimmy Lai's daughter is urging Chinese authorities to free her father, the Hong Kong Catholic dissident, warning that his health has deteriorated so severely in prison that he may not survive. Once a "large, robust man" known among friends and family for hosting bountiful dinners, Claire Lai describes her father now as physically broken after five years of incarceration, much of it spent in solitary confinement.  READ NOT TO BE MISSED...  Here are the stories we couldn't fit in today's LOOP: Washington, DC's Archdiocese will host its annual procession in honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  READ A "non-binary" teacher refuses to teach the son of a conservative board member, citing "safety concerns."  READ Colorado parents asked a court to protect their girls from having to share rooms with male students who claim to be transgender.  READ FREEDOM IN A WORLD OF CHAINS  As humanity has modernized and overcome certain "chains" of the past, we adopt new ones. Ideologies, smartphones, pornography, political parties. This Advent, let's break free from our chains through the only true liberation that is offered.  READ CATHOLIC 101  Even for those who were raised Catholic but have only recently started a family of their own, it can be hard to remember exactly how Advent wreaths work. Or maybe you're completely new to the tradition! Either way, here's a simple, step-by-step explanation of the Advent wreath: how to put one together, and how to use it.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today the Church honors Pope St. Damasus I, who served as Pontiff for 18 years, from 366 until his death in 384. He was known for unifying the Church and for warding off schism and heresy. But he also made a decision that would shape Western theology, literature, and poetry for all time: he commissioned St. Jerome to create the Vulgate, a translation of the whole Bible into Latin.  READ DAILY PSALM  "The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness." (Psalm 145)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ WOW  Five thousand drones move in unison to animate a vision of the Holy Family.  WATCH & SHARE Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization., PO Box 3310, Carmel, IN 46082 (317) 669-6127 Unsubscribe Manage preferences