think about death

plus, dark evening coziness - From the trending to the timeless, Refine offers inspiring articles and the best advice in style, health, food, culture, relationships, and more. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

Memento mori: Why we should think about death The Church dedicates the month of November to praying for the dead with the exhortation memento mori or remember, you must die. This focus on death is not morbid, though. Rather, by embracing this month’s memento mori mindset, we focus on the glory of the eternal life we hope to enjoy. Read Here How to make 4:30pm darkness feel cozy, not depressing Embrace the early winter sunsets with these changes to your home's routine. By Paige Kershaw Read More Making motherhood mystical Sleepless nights, breastfeeding, and the unpredictability of an infant's needs can feel like a distraction from prayer. Here is how to re-establish your prayer life after welcoming a little one into the world. By Kaitlyn Berryman Read More Disillusioned with online dating? Here's how to increase your chances of meeting your person in person Despite the explosion of online dating, apps aren’t the only way to find a spouse — even a Catholic dating app founder says so! By Ava Cilento Read More A TikTok challenge convinced me to eat 30 plants in one week — here’s what I learned Do you think you could eat 30 plants in one week? Here's how one woman succeeded at the trending health challenge. From Real Simple Read More Bring back drawing rooms A review of the new movie ‘Sense and Sensibility’ argues that by taking a more modern approach, the movie loses the restraint and tension essential to the original novel. By Meg Walters Read More PRAY WITH ZEALE Our nation needs prayers now more than ever. In these last months of America's 250th, join Cardinal Burke in praying the Daily Prayer for America at 250 on Zeale. WATCH About us Refine celebrates authentic, human flourishing through truth, beauty, and good living. From the trending to the timeless, Refine offers inspiring articles and the best advice in style, health, food, culture, relationships, and more. Refine your life. Refresh your soul. PO Box 3310, Carmel, IN 46082, (317) 669-6127, refinelife.co Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Vance, conservatives analyze factors in GOP's midterm losses

Thursday, November 5  CONSERVATIVES ANALYZE FACTORS IN GOP’S MIDTERM LOSSES In the wake of the “blue wave” that brought the Democratic Party control of both chambers of Congress, conservatives have been sharing their assessments of the outcome, positing issues such as abortion, the cost of living, and the Iran war as reasons for their losses. In a lengthy Nov. 4 analysis, Vice President JD Vance ultimately said, “The reason we lost is the war.” ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

View in browser THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 CONSERVATIVES ANALYZE FACTORS IN GOP’S MIDTERM LOSSES  In the wake of the “blue wave” that brought the Democratic Party control of both chambers of Congress, conservatives have been sharing their assessments of the outcome, positing issues such as abortion, the cost of living, and the Iran war as reasons for their losses. In a lengthy Nov. 4 analysis, Vice President JD Vance ultimately said, “The reason we lost is the war.”  READ ANALYSIS: MEET THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS GOING TO WASHINGTON  Voters in Colorado, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania elected five new members of the Democratic Socialists of America to represent them in Congress. The Marxist-influenced representatives-elect will bring their plans for abolishing ICE, opening the nation’s borders, and implementing expansive state-controlled economic measures with them to Washington, D.C.  READ JOHNSON TO EXIT HOUSE GOP LEADERSHIP; THUNE SEEKS ANOTHER TERM  House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., will not seek to lead House Republicans in the next Congress after the party lost control of both chambers in the midterms. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has announced a bid for minority leader, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., is expected to run. Senate GOP leader John Thune of South Dakota, meanwhile, plans to seek another term despite criticism of his record from conservatives.  READ AD: ALIGN YOUR CATHOLIC VALUES WITH YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS  Want a mutual fund that respects your pro-life, pro-family beliefs? All eight Ave Maria Funds share your Catholic values. They don’t invest in companies that support abortion, pornography or embryonic stem cell research, or make corporate contributions to Planned Parenthood. Learn more about Ave Maria, the nation’s largest Catholic mutual fund family.  LEARN MORE MICHIGAN ELECTS EL-SAYED TO SENATE, BENSON AS GOVERNOR IN DEMOCRATIC SWEEP  Michiganders on Nov. 3 chose Democrat Abdul El-Sayed to succeed Democratic Sen. Gary Peters and Jocelyn Benson as the state’s next governor. El-Sayed celebrated the win with an Arabic phrase for “God be praised” and pledged to fight against the politics of cynicism. Benson said she will tackle affordability and fight Washington corruption.  READ POPE LEO URGES ECONOMIC, POLITICAL LIFE CENTERED ON COMMON GOOD  During his Nov. 4 General Audience, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Second Vatican Council’s teachings on economic and political life, emphasizing human dignity, workers’ rights, and the role of the Church’s social teaching in promoting peace.  READ FAR-LEFT DEMS CELEBRATE MIDTERM RESULTS: ‘DEI IS BACK,’ ‘LAWYER UP’  Progressive leaders hailed Democrats’ Nov. 3 midterm victories as an opportunity to advance their agenda and confront the Trump administration. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged House progressives to wield power “as aggressively as possible,” while Rep. Ro Khanna declared that DEI “is back.” Rep. Robert Garcia, the House Oversight Committee’s top Democrat, issued a blunt warning: “LAWYER UP.”  READ   LOVE THE LOOP? SHARE IT!  Let’s face it — the midterm results were disappointing, but there were glimmers of hope. We saw important conservative ballot measures pass in deep-blue states. It’s a reminder of the importance of informed, engaged voters — and that’s exactly what the LOOP is all about! We need ardent supporters like you to spread the LOOP far and wide…and why not earn rewards in the process? Check out your unique referral hub to easily send LOOP invites and track your reward progress.  SHARE ARLINGTON BISHOP URGES RENEWED RESOLVE AFTER VIRGINIA ABORTION AMENDMENT OUTCOME  After Virginia passed radical pro-abortion and anti-marriage amendments Nov. 3, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, who had spearheaded efforts to defeat the ballot questions, emphasized that the truth of the sanctity of life has not changed. “Despite this defeat,” he said, “faithful Catholics may be consoled by the certainty that each one of us gave God our best efforts, and that he will not allow those efforts to be in vain.”  READ AMISH FAMILIES ASK SUPREME COURT TO WEIGH SCHOOL VACCINE CASE  Three Amish schools were fined after New York ended religious exemptions from school vaccination requirements. Now the schools and Amish families are asking the Supreme Court to hear their case, with a religious liberty group backing their petition.  READ MEET YOUR PERSON IN PERSON  Despite the explosion of online dating, apps aren’t the only way to find a spouse — even a Catholic dating app founder says so! Zeale Lifestyle’s Ava Cilento spoke with a Catholic dating app creator to offer helpful insight into how you can still find your person in person, as long as you rely on God’s timing and trust in the process.  READ   CATHOLIC 101  Another married couple may join the ranks of the Catholic Church's canonized saints. Tomás and Paquita Alvira were married parents of nine, and Tomás was a personal friend of St. Josemaría Escrivá.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  After years of waiting, Sts. Elizabeth and Zechariah were blessed with a son who would prepare the way for Christ. Their story offers a beautiful reminder that God's plans can unfold in unexpected ways.  READ DAILY PSALM  "Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord." (Psalm 105)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ NEW EPISODE  Watch opinions collide as five Los Angeles residents of different political stripes gather over dinner to discuss Gov. Gavin Newsom, ICE, election integrity, and other subjects people usually avoid bringing up over dinner. Parts 1 & 2 of Food Fight are out now only on Zeale.  WATCH ON ZEALE Share with friends. Win cool stuff. Have friends who'd love the Loop, too? Give them your unique referral link and rack up points toward merch rewards when they subscribe! Your referral count: 0 Your referral link: https://join.catholicvote.org/b30ccaf4/ Share the LOOP Have feedback? Click here! Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization, PO Box 3310, Carmel, IN 46082 (317) 669-6127 Unsubscribe Manage preferences