WEEKEND LOOP: Universal school choice launches in Texas

WEEKEND LOOP SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7 NATION'S BIGGEST SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM LAUNCHES  Texas' universal school choice program garnered several thousand applications as soon as it launched Feb. 4, making it the most successful first day of a school choice program in U.S. history, according to Texas officials. "CatholicVote is proud to have rallied so much support for these principles, paving the way to this pivotal victory for all American families," said CatholicVote Vice President of Advocacy Joshua Mercer. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

View in browser SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 NATION'S BIGGEST SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM LAUNCHES  Texas' universal school choice program garnered several thousand applications as soon as it launched Feb. 4, making it the most successful first day of a school choice program in U.S. history, according to Texas officials. "CatholicVote is proud to have rallied so much support for these principles, paving the way to this pivotal victory for all American families," said CatholicVote Vice President of Advocacy Joshua Mercer.  READ STUDENT PAPER EDITOR CONFRONTS NOTRE DAME  The editor-in-chief of a University of Notre Dame student newspaper has issued a letter condemning the university's appointment of abortion advocate Susan Ostermann to a leadership post, calling the decision "astonishing" and "a slap in the face to every woman" at the Catholic institution.  READ POPE MARKS OLYMPIC GAMES WITH PRAISE FOR SPORTS  Pope Leo issued a letter yesterday marking the beginning of the Winter Olympics in Italy, offering insight into "the relationship between victory and defeat." He wrote that sport "teaches us a deeper understanding of life, in which success is never definitive and failure is never the last word."  READ AD: LIVE-SAVING WORK + MONEY-SAVING PHONE SERVICE  When you switch your cell phone service to Charity Mobile, 5% of your monthly plan price supports the life-saving work of your favorite pro-life charity. All monthly plans are under $50 before taxes and surcharges, and Charity Mobile has NEVER raised mobile plan prices in its 30-year history. Every new line gets a free phone offer with promo code LOOP!  LEARN MORE COURT UPHOLDS TRUMP IMMIGRATION DETENTION POLICY  "A divided federal appeals court upheld on Friday the Trump administration's policy of placing people arrested in its immigration crackdown in mandatory detention without an opportunity to be released on bond," Reuters reported.  READ CATHOLIC NFL STAR ENTERS PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME  Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, a Catholic, has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026. Kuechly spoke last year at an annual banquet for Room At The Inn, a Catholic maternity shelter in Greensboro, North Carolina, that provides resources to unhoused pregnant women and single mothers, helping them choose life for their unborn children.  READ UNKNOWN VANDAL DESTROYS MARY STATUE IN NEW YORK  A statue of the Blessed Mother was found smashed and lying face down in the snow at a New York Catholic church, in what parishioners and police suspect is another act of vandalism in a string of such incidents that have plagued the area since last year.  READ EXCLUSIVE: BISHOP INTRODUCES NEW SERVANT OF GOD  Bishop David Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin, recently declared a new servant of God whom he says catechists can look to for inspiration as they share Christ with others. In this exclusive interview with Zeale News, Bishop Ricken discusses the life and legacy of Adele Brice, the 19th-century Belgian immigrant to whom Mary appeared in the northeastern area of the state.  READ AD: PRIORITIZE FAITH, FAMILY, & FINANCES Taylor Frigon Capital actively manages portfolios designed for those who prioritize faith, family, and long-term stewardship.  LEARN MORE VIRGINIA LAWMAKERS DEFEAT ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL  A Virginia Senate committee voted Feb. 5 to block legislation that would have legalized assisted suicide for terminally ill patients with fewer than six months to live. Ahead of the 8-7 vote by the Senate Education and Health Committee, the Medical Society of Virginia had switched from a neutral position on the issue to opposing assisted suicide. Family physician and former president of the society Thomas Eppes testified before the lawmakers: "Our profession needs to stand with patients from cradle to grave."  READ CATHOLIC BABY NAMES FOR WINTER  Welcoming a little one this season? Here are some names inspired by winter and rooted in the Catholic faith.  READ HOMEMADE HONEY GRANOLA  You can master this classic childhood snack with just a few pantry staples.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Orphaned at a young age, St. Richard (1197–1253), though born to wealth, preferred a life of study and prayer. He was eventually elected a bishop. Richard was also the father of three saints: Willibald, Winnebald, and Walburga.  READ SATURDAY'S PSALM  "Lord, teach me your statutes." (Psalm 119)  READ SATURDAY'S READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ SUNDAY'S PSALM  "The just man is a light in darkness to the upright." (Psalm 112)  READ SUNDAY'S READINGS  Sunday's Mass readings.  READ ANSWER TO TRIVIA  "It's a Wonderful Life," starring Jimmy Stewart, was the first movie Pope Leo mentioned when asked to list his favorite films. He also mentioned "The Sound of Music," "Ordinary People," and the Italian film "Life is Beautiful." THE DEEP  Are Gen Z women ditching the Pill? Hormonal birth control was sold as liberation, but girls today are questioning everything. From brain changes and mental health risks to cancer links and fertility disruption, new studies are raising serious red flags. In this episode of The Deep, Erika breaks down the real, documented harms of hormonal contraception – and why women are starting to reject it.  WATCH Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization, PO Box 3310, Carmel, IN 46082 (317) 669-6127 Unsubscribe Manage preferences