IL ATTACKS PRO-LIFE CLINICS, IMMEDIATELY FACES LAWSUIT;BIDEN ADMIN CAUGHT BANNING PRO-LIFE CARE; BIDEN ADMIN ANNOUNCES FURTHER CRACKDOWN ON GAS VEHICLES

 

SATURDAY, JULY 29      IL ATTACKS PRO-LIFE CLINICS, IMMEDIATELY FACES LAWSUIT   Gov. J.B. Pritzker yesterday signed a law that severely restricts pro-life activities, including sidewalk counseling outside abortion facilities and advertising for women’s pregnancy help centers. The bill claims to address women’s care clinics using “misrepresentation” and “false pretense” by helping women choose life. The Thomas More Society immediately filed a lawsuit against Illinois’ attorney general on behalf of a number of pro-life groups in the state.  READ       BIDEN ADMIN CAUGHT BANNING PRO-LIFE CARE  A federal court on Wednesday ordered the Biden administration to pay $65,000 in attorneys’ fees for denying women family planning services through insurance provided under the Affordable Care Act. The administration “illegally” deprived women of the option of “fertility awareness-based methods of family planning … leaving women only with coverage for contraceptive and abortifacient drugs and devices.”  READ       SENATE PASSES MILITARY FUNDING BILL WITHOUT ADDRESSING ABORTION  The Senate passed its own version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Thursday without adding an amendment to pull Pentagon funding for abortion travel, setting up a likely fight with the House. Most Republicans supported the move. Republicans who voted against the bill included Sens. Mike Lee, R-UT, Rand Paul, R-KY, J.D. Vance, R-OH, and Mike Braun, R-IN.  READ       BIDEN ADMIN ANNOUNCES FURTHER CRACKDOWN ON GAS VEHICLES  The Biden administration on Friday announced new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Under the rules, pickup trucks and work vans must boost fuel efficiency 10% every year starting in 2030. The administration has admitted the new standards would result in affordable gas-powered vehicles becoming more expensive.  READ       MAN WINS SETTLEMENT OVER COVID MASK ARREST  A city in Idaho recently gave a settlement of $300,000 to a local man who refused to wear a mask at an outdoor church service in 2020. In February a district court ruled that Rench “should never have been arrested in the first place," but the city of Moscow refused to pay the settlement until June 2, according to a press release from Rench’s website. “The liberal cult that runs Moscow has twisted city code and crafted unconstitutional emergency health orders… targeted to harass members of our Christian community,” Rench said.  READ             5 DESTINATIONS FOR YOUR SUMMER ROAD TRIP  Looking for road trip inspiration as the summer winds down? You won’t have to leave the country as these five beautiful shrines and basilicas are among America’s own vast expanse of holy destinations. So plan a solo trip or bring the whole family, and experience the riches of our faith and Catholic heritage displayed throughout our nation.  READ       THE CHURCH AND ALIENS  Non-human biologics were recovered from crashed UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena) and stored by the U.S. federal government, according to congressional testimony this week. But what does this mean for Catholics? Read on!  READ       EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON NFP AWARENESS  Rates of abortion, divorce, and even sexually transmitted diseases go up in regions where the use of birth control rises. The Church teaches that couples aren’t morally allowed to use birth control, which critics argue leaves women feeling frustrated, restricted, or even resentful of their gift of fertility. But what if the Church provided an alternative, one that leads women and couples to embrace their natural fertility and strengthen their marriages in the process?  READ       REST IN PEACE, SINÉAD O'CONNOR  "What Sinéad O’Connor lived through was the worst of both worlds in the Church: on the one hand a loveless legalism experienced as a rejection of sin and sinner, and on the other a false compassion welcoming both," writes Katherine Bennett. "The pendulum smacked her in the face wherever she stood. It’s no wonder she couldn’t recognise truth. I’m surprised she could stand up." Read the rest of this sober reflection on Catholicism based on the troubled life of the late singer.  READ       HUELSKAMP: STAND WITH COACH TUBERVILLE!  “Military-funded abortions should not take precedence over the slew of other military budget priorities, including ammunition shortages and dwindling recruitment,” writes former Congressman and CatholicVote advisor Tim Huelskamp. “Every pro-life lawmaker must find the courage to get off the sidelines and join Coach Tuberville’s team to protect every American, born and unborn.”  READ       LOOPCAST  Something’s smokin’ in the kitchen as the new “trad wives” set social media on fire. Burning questions: Do you bake sourdough? Do you cook and clean while your husband works? You too may be a trad wife! Also, the GOP is tossing around the “I” word (impeachment) again while bitter Twitter Catholics are turning some heads – against Ad Orientem?  WATCH         GETTING UP AFTER A FALL  As adults, many of us can become cynical, bogged down, or forgetful of the huge gift of divine mercy that is available to us at all times. Do we really believe we can be forgiven? Do we really believe we can start over with a clean slate at any time? In this article, a woman reflects on the First Confession of her son, and how we can return to a liberating trust and joy in the mercy of God.  READ       ROTISSERIE CHICKEN RECIPES  Rotisserie chicken is a great mealtime hack. The trickiest part of your meal is already done, and you can dress it up in unlimited ways. Here are 21 rotisserie chicken meals that are healthy, creative, and tasty. From salads to soups, casseroles to pastas, poke bowls to pizzas, you’re bound to find some new favorites.  READ       JPII vs. PETER SINGER  Pope Saint John Paul II and Peter Singer are both big names in the philosophical world of human value and ethics. But they couldn’t be more different from each other. Singer, who is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics in the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University (that’s a long and fancy title), has been called “the most dangerous man in the world.” Here is a fascinating look at how different understandings of human dignity can lead to such divergent worldviews.  READ       BEAUTY OF INEFFICIENCY  Our fast-paced, production-oriented culture is deeply attached to efficiency at all costs. So many advice columns and listicles are focused on productivity hacks, and so many recipes include buzzwords like “quick” and “no-fuss.” But this way of living actually creates a ton of fuss. This article argues that “a long time is sometimes the best kind of time,” and reminds us of the beauty of the inefficient.  READ       OHIO  Life is on the line in Ohio. VOTE and PRAY!  ACT         CATHOLIC 101  What is a woman? What does it mean to be truly feminine? Surely there is more to a woman than XX chromosomes? Here is an explanation of womanhood, based on the most beautiful and holiest woman of all time: The Blessed Virgin Mary.  READ       SAINT OF THE DAY  St. Martha is known for her proclamation of Jesus as the Son of God. She is the sister of Mary and Lazarus. Many people know her as the sister who was “distracted by her many tasks” (Luke 10:40) when Jesus came to visit. Church tradition says that the sibling trio eventually traveled to France to spread the Gospel.  READ       SATURDAY’S PSALM  “Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” (Psalm 50:14)  READ       SATURDAY'S READINGS  Saturday's Mass readings  READ       SUNDAY’S PSALM  “Lord, I love your commands.” (Psalm 119:97)  READ       SUNDAY’S READINGS  Sunday's Mass readings  READ       ANSWER TO THE TRIVIA  Jesus performed his first public miracle at the wedding feast at Cana, where he transformed water into wine. The miracle is recounted only in the Gospel of St. John.           HAVE A TIP?  Send us your news for the Weekend LOOP.  EMAIL          ARTWORK  The Raising of Lazarus by Peter Paul Rubens  SHARE           The LOOP is a publication of the CatholicVote Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization. The LOOP is organized, funded, and published by faithful Catholic laity. 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