SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

REP. CHRIS SMITH LEADS BIPARTISAN CALL FOR PAKISTAN TO HELP ABDUCTED CHRISTIAN WOMAN The Catholic Republican led 10 other legislators in calling on the Pakistani government to assist in finding and protecting an 18-year-old who was allegedly abducted and forced to convert to Islam. READ

TREASURY DEPARTMENT SANCTIONS FIVE PARTIES ACCUSED OF SUPPORTING FAR-LEFT TERRORISM The Aug. 26 sanctions target the UK-based Palestine Action, the leftist Italian network Autistici Inventati, and the transnational organization Masar Badil, as well as two of Masar Badil’s leaders. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “Political terrorism has no place in our society, and we will continue to cut the financial lifelines of these groups until they are eliminated.” READ

INSPECTOR GENERAL: FEMA DISCRIMINATED AGAINST TRUMP SUPPORTERS IN AFTERMATH OF HURRICANES A report from the Office of Inspector General confirmed that disaster relief personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency knowingly avoided offering support to several households with signs or flags on display supporting then-candidate Donald Trump in 2024. Due to unavailable records, the real number of households discriminated against could be much higher. READ

AD: SEPT. 23 FULTON SHEEN CONFERENCE: COME A DAY EARLY Fulton Sheen saw where America was headed and called us back to Christ. On Sept. 23, discover why his prophetic words, daily Holy Hour, love of Our Lady, mission for souls, and Way to Happiness matter more than ever. Join Msgr. Roger Landry, Arthur Brooks, Kelsey Reinhardt, and the Fulton Sheen Movement in St. Louis—or virtually. Don’t let Sheen pass you by. JOIN THE CONFERENCE

Quiz-What-usually-precedes-a-psalm-at-a-Low-Mass

SCRANTON BISHOP REOPENS ST. PIUS X SEMINARY IN HIS HOMETOWN Bishop Joseph Bambera entered Saint Pius X Seminary in Dalton, Pennsylvania, 48 years ago. On Aug. 23, he celebrated Mass and welcomed four new seminarians to the reopened seminary. READ

TENNESSEE DIOCESE REMEMBERS DOLLY PARTON, PRAYS FOR HER ETERNAL REST The Diocese of Knoxville offered prayers for the repose of the late country music singer Dolly Parton, and for her grieving family. The diocesan statement characterized Parton as “more than a world-famous star” but as “one of our own.” READ

WEST VIRGINIA BISHOP APPOINTS EPISCOPAL DELEGATE FOR TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS Bishop Evelio Menjívar of the Diocese of Charleston-Wheeling appointed Fr. Timothy Grassi, pastor of St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Charles Town, to “assist in coordinating authorized celebrations, locations, calendars, and pastoral provisions; to maintain appropriate communication with the local Episcopal Delegates and other priests appointed for the pastoral care of the faithful,” according to the diocese. READ

AD: SEE HOW YOU CAN MAKE A LIFE-SAVING DIFFERENCE Supporting the pro-life movement can be as simple as joining the pro-life phone company trusted by people just like you. SEE HOW

CATHOLIC SINGLES HEAD TO FULTON SHEEN BEATIFICATION IN HOPES OF MEETING FUTURE SPOUSES The 365 Catholic Singles Community has invited single Catholics to embark on a five-day pilgrimage to the beatification of Ven. Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Bethany Kline, the group’s founder, offered the pilgrimage as an alternative to dating apps. “We spend years filtering people out on screens by arbitrary traits, forgetting to leave room for the Holy Spirit to act as matchmaker,” she said. “God cannot work through your journey if you remain isolated at home scrolling apps alone.” READ

PATRIOTIC READS FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY From the history of the American flag to the writings of the Founding Fathers, this list has recommendations for patriots of all ages. READ

MEMORIES, NOT MESS: HOW TO DISPLAY PRINTED PHOTOGRAPHS WITHOUT CREATING VISUAL CLUTTER Displaying images of people and memories at home doesn't have to create tangible or visual clutter in your space. Here are tips for ways to keep memories accessible without the overwhelm. READ

SAINT OF THE DAY Today, the Church celebrates the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, the herald and cousin of Christ. READ

SATURDAY'S PSALM "Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own." (Psalm 33) READ

SATURDAY'S READINGS Today's Mass readings. READ

SUNDAY'S PSALM "My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God." (Psalm 63) READ

SUNDAY'S READINGS Sunday's Mass readings. READ

ANSWER TO TRIVIA An antiphon, a short scriptural passage read prior the psalms.

VERSELE How well do you know Scripture? Find out with Versele, a daily Catholic word game featuring a new hidden word every day. PLAY NOW

SUPPORT THE MISSION OF CATHOLICVOTE If the LOOP has helped you stay informed and better prepared to engage today’s cultural and political challenges, would you consider helping sustain it? Champions are CatholicVote’s monthly supporters who make this work possible, powering the LOOP and supporting our reporting, advocacy, and voter education efforts year-round. Join the Champions Club today with a monthly gift of $10 or more and help keep Catholics informed and engaged. BECOME A CHAMPION