WEEKEND LOOP: Trump threatens Iran over suppression of protests

WEEKEND LOOP SATURDAY JANUARY 3 TRUMP THREATENS IRAN OVER SUPPRESSION OF PROTESTS President Donald Trump threatened Iran yesterday morning that the U.S. would "rescue" protesters if the regime escalates its response to protests over worsening economic conditions spreading across the Middle Eastern country. "We are locked and loaded and ready to go," Trump warned.

View in browser SATURDAY, JANUARY 3 TRUMP THREATENS IRAN OVER SUPPRESSION OF PROTESTS  President Donald Trump threatened Iran yesterday morning that the U.S. would "rescue" protesters if the regime escalates its response to protests over worsening economic conditions spreading across the Middle Eastern country. "We are locked and loaded and ready to go," Trump warned.  READ CATHOLICVOTE'S KELSEY REINHARDT ADDRESSES SEEK26   Addressing thousands of young adults gathered for the SEEK conference in Denver, CatholicVote President and CEO Kelsey Reinhardt delivered a deeply personal and theological reflection on human dignity, relationship, and God's unwavering pursuit of the human heart.  READ POPE LEO ENCOURAGES SEEK CONFERENCE ATTENDEES  In a special video message, Pope Leo encouraged young Catholics at the SEEK26 conference taking place in Ohio, Texas, and Colorado this week. "Be open to what the Lord has in store for you!" he said, in part. "Do not be afraid to ask him what he is calling you to."  READ AD: THIS YEAR, RESOLVE TO BUY THE WAY YOU BELIEVE!   When you switch your cell phone service to Charity Mobile, 5% of your monthly plan price supports the lifesaving work of your favorite pro-life charity! Get the same nationwide coverage as the big guys, a customer service team based in the U.S., and a free phone offer all Christmas season long with promo code LOOP. Offer good through 2/2/26 or while supplies last.  LEARN MORE   THE LATEST ON MINNESOTA'S FRAUD SCANDAL   In its latest response to suspected fraud in Minnesota, the Trump administration has suspended nearly 7,000 small business loans amid concerns about abuse in pandemic-era lending programs.  READ INSPIRING: SISTERS CARING FOR BETHLEHEM ORPHANS  At an orphanage in Bethlehem called the "Crèche," a group of religious sisters is providing an oasis of charity to young children who have no parents of their own to play with or care for them. "In Bethlehem, Christmas comes once a year, but here we celebrate the living Jesus every day."  READ ISIS PLOT REPORTEDLY FOILED IN NORTH CAROLINA   Federal prosecutors have charged an 18-year-old from a Charlotte, North Carolina, suburb with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization after he allegedly planned a mass-casualty attack on civilians on New Year's Eve that officials were able to prevent.  READ POPE'S OLD DIOCESE ASKS HIM TO RECONSIDER MARIAN TITLES   More than 100 Catholics in Chiclayo, Peru — where Pope Leo served as bishop from 2014 until 2023 — have sent a letter to the Pontiff requesting that he reconsider a recent doctrinal note on Marian titles that they described as scandalous and a cause of suffering for the Blessed Mother.  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 PLANNED PARENTHOOD TO LOSE MEDICAID IN 22 STATES   A federal appeals court ruled this week that the Trump administration can end Medicaid reimbursements to abortion giant Planned Parenthood's centers in 22 states and Washington, D.C., lifting a lower-court injunction that had blocked enforcement of the policy.   READ YOUR DAILY 'GOLDEN HOUR'   "We complete so many tasks in our work without even thinking about what we are doing or planning, in advance, how we want to approach those tasks. This can result in our workdays feeling haphazard, unintentional, and distracted," writes Kellie Moore for Verily Magazine. "The antidote to this scattered feeling at work is a tool called the 'Golden Hour,' a method of practicing how we approach our work."  READ 7 FINANCIAL GOALS FOR 30-SOMETHINGS   Stay on top of your financial health and see if you can hit these milestones in your 30s. Not everyone's situation is the same, but you can use this as a ballpark evaluation of progress, as well as motivation for new goals.   READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today the Church celebrates St. Gregory Nazianzen, a Doctor of the Church and close friend of St. Basil the Great's. St. Gregory was born at Arianzus in Asia Minor around 325 and died in 389. A great opponent of the Arian heresy, Gregory is famous for his exposition on the Trinity.  READ SATURDAY'S PSALM  "All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God." (Psalm 98)  READ SATURDAY'S READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ SUNDAY'S PSALM  "Lord, every nation on earth will adore you." (Psalm 72)  READ SUNDAY'S READINGS  Sunday's Mass readings.  READ ANSWER TO TRIVIA  Many Christians chalk their doors (or lintels) yearly with these letters, along with the numbers of the current year. This year, the marking would be 20+C+M+B+26. The letters stand for Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, the traditional names of the three wise men who followed the star to find the newborn Christ in Bethlehem. REST IN PEACE, MICAH  Micah Joseph Kim, the 5-year-old son of Catholic speaker and social media influencer Paul J. Kim, passed away Dec. 31 after spending 11 days on life support following complications from a severe case of the flu. Please join us in praying for the whole Kim family.   READ Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization., PO Box 3310, Carmel, IN 46082 (317) 669-6127 Unsubscribe Manage preferences