MONDAY, AUGUST 24

REPORT: SURROGATE MOTHER'S COURT BATTLE FOR CHILD COULD AFFECT PRACTICE OF SURROGACY IN TEXAS A custody battle involving a surrogate mother, an abortion clause, and a baby born with a heart condition could reshape surrogacy law in Texas. READ

FLORIDA SOCIALIST VOWS TO ABOLISH ICE AND DEFEND DRAG QUEEN SHOWS FOR CHILDREN Avowed socialist Angie Nixon, who recently won Florida’s Democratic Senate primary, said she will seek to "abolish" U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement and end "mass incarceration." She has also defended exposing children to drag shows. READ

FRESNO DIOCESE BANKRUPTCY COULD INCLUDE PARISH BUILDING FUNDS, PASTOR WARNS Catholic parishes across the Diocese of Fresno stand to lose most or all of the money parishioners raised in yearslong capital campaigns after the diocese's Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding upended earlier assurances that project funds would be protected. READ

REPORT: HONG KONG CRACKDOWN CONTINUES WITH NEW CONVICTIONS, INCREASED HARASSMENT Chinese communist authorities arrest two civil rights activists as priests warn of threat posed to Catholics and clergy. READ

POLL: 45% SAY DEMOCRATS ARE 'TOO LIBERAL' Nearly half of Americans agree that the Democratic Party has gone too far left, while fewer say that the GOP has gone too far right. READ

FBI REPORTS SURGE IN ANTI-CATHOLIC HATE CRIMES New data from the nation's top law enforcement agency confirms that hate crimes targeting Catholics increased over the course of 2025. The year before, the FBI reported 63 Catholics had been victimized by hate crimes; 2025 saw that number rise to 84. READ

SURVEY: BAPTISMS IN IRELAND DROP BY NEARLY 30% IN PAST DECADE "Falling births and rising secularism" are credited with a decrease of nearly one third in baptisms in Ireland between 2015 and 2025. READ

AD: HOW TO MAKE A HOLY HOUR WITH FULTON SHEEN Want to make a Holy Hour but aren't sure how? Now UPDATED with even more practical advice from Fulton Sheen, plus a minute-by-minute guide! Easy for beginners and fruitful for everyone, this guide is a must-have for parish, chapel, OCIA class, or Confirmation class. Automatic bulk discounts! GET ON SALE NOW!

POPE LEO ASKS CATHOLICS: ‘WHO IS JESUS, TRULY, FOR ME?' Pope Leo XIV encouraged Catholics during his Aug. 23 Angelus message in St. Peter’s Square to consider a series of questions: “Who is the Lord for me?” “Do I truly know Him?” “What is His Gospel asking of me today?” and “What steps and what choices am I called to make?” READ

SACRED ART IN AN ARTIFICIAL WORLD Zeale's Ava Cilento describes the impact artificial intelligence is having on Catholic sacred art creators and explains the moral implications. She also shares three ways Catholics can respond. READ

5 REASONS YOU SHOULD TAKE YOUR KIDS TO THE LIBRARY — AND HOW TO DO IT! Libraries are a "family superpower" packed with free resources for screen-free fun and lifelong learning, writes Zeale's Jessica Nardi. READ

CATHOLIC 101 Discerning God's will and trusting in His will can be daunting and difficult. Author Christine Hanus shares her experience navigating the difficulty. READ

SAINT OF THE DAY Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, who is listed as one of the Apostles in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. According to tradition, he preached the Gospel in India and died a martyr. READ

DAILY PSALM "Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom." (Psalm 145) READ

DAILY READINGS Today's Mass readings. READ

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

HELP POWER THE LOOP If you look forward to reading The LOOP each day, consider becoming a Champion. Monthly supporters provide the reliable funding that keeps The LOOP free and helps CatholicVote defend life, protect religious freedom, educate voters, and equip Catholics to live out their faith in the public square. Join today with a monthly gift of $10 or more. JOIN THE CLUB