PENTAGON UNABLE TO ACCOUNT FOR HALF OF ITS MONEY;‘READING RAINBOW’ STAR JOKES ABOUT PUNCHING MOMS; ANTI-ISRAEL RIOT TURNS VIOLENT AT DNC;VIDEO GAMES: BEHIND THE PROBLEM

 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 CATHOLIC COLLEGE ENROLLMENT BUCKS TREND  A new report shows that a handful of Catholic colleges and universities are seeing their enrollment numbers skyrocket. The development bucks an overall trend of college enrollment plummeting during the past few years.  READ BIDEN SIGNS TEMPORARY SPENDING BILL  President Joe Biden signed a temporary spending bill that will push the ongoing federal budget battle into the next year. He signed the bill Thursday after both the House and Senate passed it with bipartisan support.  READ PENTAGON UNABLE TO ACCOUNT FOR HALF OF ITS MONEY  Auditors “found that half of [Department of Defense’s] assets can’t be accounted for,” according to The Hill. The news “represents a flagrant disregard for taxpayer funds,” Republicans on the House Oversight Committee stated Thursday.  READ AMERICAN CORPORATE EXECS APPLAUD XI  Chinese communist dictator Xi Jinping received a standing ovation as he delivered the keynote speech for a gathering of American business executives in San Francisco Wednesday. “The number one question for us is: are we adversaries, or partners?” Xi had asked the elite crowd.  READ ABORTION MEASURE ALREADY LOOMS IN NEBRASKA  Nebraska Republican Gov. Jim Pillen this week blasted a ballot initiative seeking to enshrine a right to abortion in the state’s constitution. The measure’s “vague and deceptive language could throw open the doors to brutal late-term abortions, putting abortion providers in charge of judging whether, for example, a 39-week-old pre-born baby can be aborted,” he warned.  READ ‘READING RAINBOW’ STAR JOKES ABOUT PUNCHING MOMS  Actor LeVar Burton joked about fighting members of the pro-parent group Moms for Liberty at the National Book Awards Wednesday. “Before we get going, are there any Moms for Liberty in the house?” Burton asked. “No? Good,” he said. “Then hands will not need to be thrown tonight.”  READ ANTI-ISRAEL RIOT TURNS VIOLENT AT DNC Capitol Police issued a statement denouncing the violent anti-Israel riot that happened Wednesday outside Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters in Washington, D.C. “We have handled hundreds of peaceful protests, but last night’s group was not peaceful,” the agency stated.  READ ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS NEED REAL FRIENDS  Echoing religious leaders like Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Catholic human rights activist Jason Jones argues that “both Israelis and Palestinians need allies. We need to be searching for a peace process that puts a stop to the violence, crushes terrorism, and achieves justice for both sides of the conflict. Unfortunately, few in the West understand the stakes.”  READ LOOPcast  Turns out synodality was short-lived as Bishop Strickland is out, and papal power plays are in. What’s a Catholic to do? The UK’s nationalized healthcare system may have killed Baby Indi, but they couldn’t take her soul. Is Nikki Haley willing to sell hers for the presidency? The Beach Boys have the answer on this week’s LOOPcast.  WATCH INTERVIEW WITH EUCHARISTIC PHOTOGRAPHER  In the midst of the National Eucharistic Revival, photojournalist Jeffrey Bruno has made it his mission to photograph as many Eucharistic processions as possible. In an exclusive interview with CatholicVote, Bruno talks about the “explosion” of Eucharistic processions he has witnessed (and photographed!) in New York City.  READ SETTING THE THANKSGIVING TABLE  Which direction to take… paper plates or Pinterest-worthy cornucopias and twinkling lights? Well, there is a third way. Here are budget-friendly, simple ways to set a warm, beautiful, and nostalgic Thanksgiving table this year.  READ 70 THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES  We’re headed into Thanksgiving week, and you probably know you’re making turkey. But have you thought about all your sides? You know the basics, but the options are vast. Here are some unique recipes to add variety and spice to your Thanksgiving table whether you’re looking for something classic or unique.  READ VIDEO GAMES: BEHIND THE PROBLEM Jason Craig, author of “:Leaving Boyhood Behind,” describes how the conversation around video games has changed in the last several years. What was once a mild reaction to the suggestion of limiting or foregoing video games has turned into passionate outrage. Here, Jason discusses the problem behind the problem of video games.  READ INTERVIEW In 2022, FBI agents arrested pro-life hero Mark Houck at gunpoint in front of his wife and children in a shocking display of intimidation that prompted a national backlash. Mark was later acquitted of all charges. But he’s not done. Erika and Mark discuss why he’s suing the DOJ, his children’s lost innocence, and how the times call for courageous action.  WATCH CATHOLIC 101  Everyone knows the feeling of getting bogged down in “preparation.” It can seem like it takes forever! But what about when the preparation is also the goal? Blessed Carlo Acutis shows us that the Eucharist is the “fast lane” for our spiritual growth.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today the Church celebrates the dedications of two of the four major basilicas in Rome. St. Peter’s Basilica was built by the emperor Constantine in 323 over the tomb of St. Peter. Constantine then built St. Paul’s Basilica over St. Paul’s grave. READ SATURDAY’S PSALM  “Remember the marvels the Lord has done!” (Psalm 105:5)  READ SATURDAY’S READINGS  Saturday's Mass readings.  READ SUNDAY’S PSALM  “Blessed are those who fear the Lord.” (Psalm 128:1)  READ SUNDAY’S READINGS  Sunday's Mass readings.  READ ANSWER TO THE TRIVIA  The outer liturgical vestment worn by the priest during Mass is called the chasuble. HAVE A TIP?  Send us your news for the Weekend LOOP.  EMAIL ARTWORK  This artwork is entitled “Two Crowns” to note the golden crown of a king and the crown of thorns worn by Christ on the cross. In this scene, the medieval king is riding in a triumphal procession but is startled by the sight of a crucifix and is reminded of the transience of earthly power and success.  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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