TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 CHURCH VANDALISM ON THE RISE...QUOTE OF THE DAY "In Oklahoma, we listen to parents. We know God gave kids to parents - not to the government." -Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-OK.

 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8    CHURCH VANDALISM ON THE RISE  The Justice Department responded to a Dec. 15 letter from CatholicVote President Brian Burch that called for the department to investigate the rash of violence against Catholic churches and statues that has been happening since May 2020. In a letter to Burch, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta wrote: “We share your concern with and commitment to preventing and addressing acts of vandalism, property destruction, and other incidents that target religious symbols, shrines, statues, or churches. The Department is taking numerous steps to address such violence, consistent with our commitment to combat unlawful acts of hate in all their forms.” Gupta stated that Attorney General Merrick Garland ordered a 15-day review “to ensure all appropriate resources are being deployed to protect houses of worship.”  READ     NEW TRUCKER FUNDS  After GoFundMe outraged many by refusing to deliver funds raised for a Canadian Freedom Convoy of truckers who are protesting COVID-19 restrictions, an alternative crowdfunding site stepped in. As of Monday, GiveSendGo had raised well over $5,000,000 of its $16,000,000 fundraising goal for the Convoy. "To our Fellow Canadians, the time for political over reach is over," the fundraising campaign states. "Our current government is implementing rules and mandates that are destroying the foundation of our businesses, industries and livelihoods."  READ     VA HIGH COURT DISMISSES SUIT  The Virginia Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a challenge to Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's executive order allowing parents to opt out of school mask mandates. A group of parents in Chesapeake, Virginia, had filed the suit against the governor, arguing that he was obligated by state law to mandate masks in schools. The court ruled Youngkin had no such obligation and therefore could not be sued. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares celebrated the ruling, calling it “a win for Virginia families.” Youngkin added: “We are pleased by the dismissal. We will continue to protect the rights of parents to make decisions regarding their child’s health, education, upbringing, and care.”  READ     TOP SCIENCE ADVISOR INVESTIGATED  An internal White House investigation found that Dr. Eric Lander, a top science advisor to President Joe Biden, has been unprofessional, demeaning, and cruel to his staff. “The investigation found credible evidence of instances of multiple women having complained to other staff about negative interactions with Dr. Lander, where he spoke to them in a demeaning or abrasive way in front of other staff,” according to a White House briefing. Biden promised soon after his inauguration that he would fire “on the spot” anyone caught “treat[ing] another colleague with disrespect” or “talk[ing] down to someone.” No such action has been taken against Lander.  READ     COMPETITORS BLAST BEIJING ACCOMMODATIONS  A large number of athletes, coaches, and officials are protesting the poor living conditions, limited food options, and isolated sleeping quarters provided by the administrators of the Beijing Olympics. Apart from subpar accommodations, some have also complained of extreme COVID rules. “I only eat three handfuls of pasta a day because it’s just impossible to eat the rest of the food," said Russian biathlon competitor Valeria Vasnetsova. "My stomach hurts, I'm very pale and I have huge black circles around my eyes. I want all this to end. I cry every day. I'm very tired."  READ     DEBATE OVER JUSTICE THOMAS  The Georgia Senate voted 32-21 Monday to allow the erection of a monument to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a Georgia native. A number of Democrats harshly criticized the plan due to the jurist’s historical opposition to their policy agendas. Democratic state Sen. Nikki Merritt said: “It’s not that we have a problem that he is a conservative or a Republican... We think he’s a hypocrite and a traitor.”  READ     QUOTE OF THE DAY  "In Oklahoma, we listen to parents. We know God gave kids to parents - not to the government." -Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-OK. Here are the details of Stitt's sweeping school choice reform plan.  READ     TRUTH  SHARE         SAVING AMERICA?  Dr. Richard Brake, headmaster at St. Michael High School in Petoskey, MI, believes that Catholic education is more important than ever. He said: "Last fall in Virginia, a particular faction let slip out something that they’ve believed for over 50 years but have kept secret until now: They don’t believe parents should be involved in their children’s education. And you saw what happened! Finally, some families woke up and started to reclaim their schools. Good for them. And for us people of faith, we realize the stakes are even higher, because we’re not only concerned with this life, but what happens in the next."  READ     CLERICS CALL FOR SAME-SEX BLESSINGS  A plenary meeting of the German Catholic Church’s “Synodal Way” ended on Saturday with votes in favor of draft texts calling for same-sex blessings and changes to the Catechism on homosexuality. Participants voted 161-34 to back a document entitled “Blessing celebrations for couples who love each other,” and also voted 174-22 to continue discussing a text on the “Magisterial reassessment of homosexuality,” which explicitly calls for the Catechism’s teachings on homosexuality to “be revised.” The Vatican’s top teaching office declared in March 2021 that the Church cannot bless same-sex unions, and reiterated the Church’s teaching that homosexual acts are sinful.  READ     CATHOLIC 101  "Follow the science" is the mantra in today's media. But our culture can only truly follow science if it follows the Catholic Church. Find out why in this article by Randall Smith.  READ       SAINT OF THE DAY  St. Jerome Emiliani was born in Venice in 1486. He converted to Christianity after a rather dissolute youth, and dedicated himself to the service of the poor, the sick, and abandoned children. He founded a congregation (Somaschi) which looked after the education of children, especially orphans. He died of the plague while serving the afflicted.  READ        DAILY PSALM  "How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!” (Psalm 84:3)  READ       DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ       BEAUTY  The Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière in Lyon  SHARE             INVITE FRIENDS   You got 0 friends to sign up for the Loop! When you reach 10, you receive a free Loop coffee mug!