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The Bridge is posted on Tuesdays and updated during the week as necessary. Please visit this page regularly.
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Please send updates for THE BRIDGE and the diocesan website to the Communications Office, via e-mail (fcc@diobpt.org) or fax (203-374-2044). These must be received by 4 pm on the Monday before the Tuesday edition.
Address all media inquiries or questions to the Communications Office: 203-416-1335 or fcc@diobpt.org.
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Updated Tuesday, November 10,
2009 |
Reminder: visit
the Resources page often for updates to the
Diocesan Calendar of Events, Confirmation Schedules, and Guidelines: click
here.
New:
Release of sealed documents in the "New York Times Case"
A hearing held yesterday in Superior Court in Waterbury did not result,
as was expected, in a timetable for the release of the sealed documents, as ordered
by the Connecticut Supreme Court. The Judge has delayed the decision.
In the meantime, background information
on the documents and an accounting of the extensive media coverage
since 1993 are posted online: click
here.
New:
New website for the Society for the
Propagation of the Faith
Please see the new website for the Society for the
Propagation of the Faith: www.missionofficebridgeport.org
Reminder:
Collection Letters for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development
collection
Letters for the November 21-22 collection are available for download in Microsoft
Word and Adobe PDF.
Reminder:
All are invited for Bishop's talks
on Catholic Social Teaching this week
All catechists and all parishioners are invited
to hear Bishop Lori speak on Catholic Social Teaching during the
observance of Catechetical Month:
- Tonight, Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m.:
St. Philip Parish (in the church), One Father Conlon Place,
Norwalk.
- Thursday, November
12 at 7 p.m.: St. Rose
of Lima Parish, 38 Church Hill Road, Newtown.
For more information, please call Gina Donnarummo: 416-1440.
Reminder:
Recommendations
for H1N1 (Swine Flu) and the Liturgy
Following a discussion at the Presbyteral Council concerning
the H1N1 virus, the recommendations which were posted on our
diocesan website have been updated and posted online: click
here. We have had a number of questions raised
concerning this. You may refer your people to these guidelines,
or otherwise make them available. Thank you. |
Reminder:
EPS
Forum for the"Year for Priests"
All
are encouraged to attend the Education • Parish • Service
(EPS) Forum which explores the theological, spiritual,
and pastoral dimensions of the priesthood
and its essential role in the Church’s life and mission.
The six-week forum concludes tomorrowat
Saint Philip Parish, Norwalk. An informational flyer is available
below.
 Download the EPS
Forum flyer
Reminder:
Please
pray for those recovering from illness...
Please
keep the following priests and deacons in your prayers as they
battle/recover from illness:
- Father Robert Hyl
- Msgr. Robert McCormack
- Father Al Russo
- Msgr. Larry McMahon
- Father Edward Small
- Deacon Jim Volpe
Reminder:
Advent Day of Recollection, December
3
The Advent Day of Recollection will
be held on Thursday, December 3 at 1:30 p.m.
Msgr. Stephen Rossetti will be the Speaker.
Christmas Dinner with Bishop Lori to follow at 5:00 p.m. Location:
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Weston. RSVP to Sr. Nancy Strillacci
(203-416-1511, srstrillacci@diobpt.org)
by Monday, November 23.
Reminder:
Deacons: Save the Date, January 9
Father
Michael Boccaccio will be celebrating the annual Mass honoring
Deacons of the Diocese and their wives on Saturday, January
9, 2010, at the 5:30 p.m. Mass at Saint Philip Parish,
Norwalk. After Mass, Father Michael will be hosting a dinner
for the deacons and their wives at The Mansion directly behind
the church.
Reminder:
Please advise parishioners to guard
their valuables during Mass
A recent theft of a wallet from a diocesan
church during Mass has prompted Joe Burton, Claims/Risk Manager
for Catholic Mutual Group, to suggest that parishioners be advised
to take precautions. The following may be published in parish
bulletins:
Personal Property Protection Alert
There have been several recent incidents
reported at parishes involving theft of wallets, pocketbooks,
and other personal belongings from people attending church
services. Cars in parking lots have also been targeted by
thieves.
Please take precautions to safeguard your personal
property. Some tips to keep in mind are:
- Do not leave pocketbooks
or other valuables unattended in the pews.
- Avoid keeping objects
in plain view inside cars, especially anything of value,
such as cell phones or GPS devices.
- Use the same precautions
that you would take for other day to day activities, such
as shopping or going to the bank, to protect personal belongings.
Typically, thieves rely on the victim who is off guard.
- Alert
ushers at Masses and other parish staff to be on the lookout
for unusual activities by people loitering around parish
property. Notify police of suspicious activity. Don’t be
confrontational or risk personal safety.
Reminder:
Apostolate
of Prayer for Priests
Download
the schedule in Adobe PDF for November
& December
2009. |
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PRAYER
FOR VOCATIONS
"Be consecrated to me, because I, the Lord,
am holy,
and I will set you apart from all these peoples
so that
you may be mine.” – Leviticus 20:26
Reminder:
Discernment
Events for College and Young Adult Men: Dates Revised
Please mark these dates on your calendar for upcoming discernment
events for College and Young Adult Men. More information will
follow in the Bridge and on the Vocations website, www.HearTheCall.org
January 1-3, 2010 – College and Young Adult
Retreat with Bishop Lori
February 13, 2010 – College and Young
Adult Day of Recollection with Bishop Lori
For more information please contact the Office of Vocations
at 203-416-1513 or vocations@HearTheCall.org.
Priests,
please share this information with the young men of your parishes.
Thank
you.
Reminder:
Attention Young
Men in High School: Discernment Group Celebrates the
"Year
for Priests"
The Office of Vocations is pleased to announce the dates for
the 2009-2010 High School Discernment Group for Young Men. We
will mark the "Year for Priests" by featuring
different priests of our diocese talking about their own vocation
and ministry. Meetings will be held at St. John Fisher Seminary
Residence in Stamford beginning at 5:30 p.m. and concluding by
8 p.m. (Evening Prayer, Dinner, Meeting). All high school boys
are welcome. RSVP by contacting the Office of Vocations at 203-416-1513
or vocations@hearthecall.org.
Thursday, December 10
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010 (with special guests the Men who will
be ordained to the Priesthood on June 5)
Priests, please share this
information with the young men of your parishes. Thank
you.
Reminder:
Please
promote College Visits
Please
publish this announcement in your parish bulletin as often
as possible. More details can be found on www.HearTheCall.org. Thank
you.
Bulletin
Announcement:
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR & SENIOR
BOYS: Consider adding St. John Fisher Seminary
to your list of college visits. It seems to be
such a mystery what life is like in a house of
discernment. We are offering the opportunity
to live the schedule and life of the house for
24 hours. For more information and to schedule
your visit, please contact Father RobertKinnally
at 203-416-1513 or e-mail vocations@HearTheCall.org.
 Reminder:
Manual
of Prayers for the Family and Youth
available for purchase;
only $1 each
A
great resource for couples preparing
for marriage or Baptism of a child,
youth preparing to receive First
Eucharist or Confirmation or anyone!
To order, download an order
form in Microsoft
Word or contact the Office of Vocations
at 203-416-1513.
Reminder:
Fall
Calendar of Prayers for Seminarians and Vocations
Please continue to pray for Vocations throughout the
fall. To download the fall schedule in Microsoft Word, click
here or visit www.HearTheCall.org and
click on the "Men's Calendar" link.
Reminder:
Establish a Vocation
Liaison Committee in your parish
The response to this initiative has been exceptionally
positive! We invite you to join them by choosing a lay volunteer
to contact and meet with Fr. Robert Kinnally to promote vocations
in your parish. If you have any questions, please contact Father
Kinnally: 416-1513 or e-mail vocations@HearTheCall.org. |
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New:
Please promote the Pastoral Plan in
your bulletin
Please promote the Pastoral Plan in your parish
bulletin this weekend. Thank you.
Bulletin
Announcement:
November 14-15, 33nd Sunday in Ordinary
Time
The readings have become apocalyptic
(revelation) as we move towards the
end of the Liturgical year. During
this season, the Church invites us
to meditate on the great themes of
the end times. There will be a final
judgment. We as Christians know that
whatever happens, no destruction is
final. God wants to bring hope to
all for a brighter future to believers.
God will help. Take courage in the
words from today’s Psalm when we are
depressed: "I set the Lord ever before
me; with Him at my right hand I shall
not be disturbed."
Reminder:
Catechists are invited to hear
Bishop Lori speak on Catholic Social Teaching
this week
All catechists are also invited to hear Bishop
Lori speak on Catholic Social Teaching during the observance
of Catechetical Month:
- Tonight, Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m.:
St. Philip Parish, One Father Conlon Place, Norwalk.
- Thursday, November 12 at 7 p.m.: St. Rose
of Lima Parish, 38 Church Hill Road, Newtown.
All are invited to attend. RSVP to 416-1440 or gdonnarummo@diobpt.org.
New:
Please
promote Pizza Party, Nov. 19, and Christmas Dinner Dance,
Dec. 4
Please
promote among your parishioners two events of the Ministry
for People with Disabilities:
- Sister Margaret Mary
Faith Club Thanksgiving Mass and Pizza Party:
Thursday, November
19 at Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Fairfield
- Christmas Dinner/Dance, with Caroling
and Nativity Pageant:
Friday,
December 4, at Saint Pius X Parish, Fairfield
Details in the flyer below. For more information, please contact
Michelle Grieco:
203-416-1502 or mgrieco@diobpt.org. Thank you!
 Download the Ministry
Events flyer
New:
"Marriage & Family Life" E-Newsletters
posted online
The November 2009 edition
of the Marriage & Family
Life E-Newsletter, on "Gratitude" is
posted now, along with back issues: click
here.
Reminder:
Volunteers and Prayer Team Members needed!
The Office for Pastoral Services is looking for
individuals who are interested in volunteering for a group called St.
Gabriel’s Helpers. Individuals in this group would
be available to the Office for Pastoral Services [at the Catholic
Center] to help with mailings, assist as ushers for Diocesan
events, or make phone calls as needed from the office. If you
are interested in helping in this much needed ministry, please
contact Damien O’Connor at doconnor@diobpt.org.
You are also invited to join The Rose of Mary Prayer
Team. The
prayer team’s objective is to satiate the thirst of Christ
by supporting the Office of Pastoral Services through prayer
and sacrifice. We ask for a daily commitment of prayer for
the intentions of each of the Ministries, the office staff,
and the people we serve. More information is available below.
If you are interested in joining The Rose of Mary Prayer Team,
please contact June Vendetti:
j.vendetti@sbcglobal.net.
Download the Rose
of Mary Prayer Team information
Reminder:
Please promote the Catholic Forum
The Catholic Forum is dedicated to supporting adult
formation with events, publications and programs that are faithful
to the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic
Forum is sponsored by Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown but
open to everyone. The Fall 2009 schedule of events is posted
below.
Download the Catholic
Forum schedule
Reminder:
Ministry
to Deaf Parishioners Available
Deaf Parishioners in your parish can be ministered
to by Father Nicholas Pavia and Sr. Nancy O’Neill. They are
available for home and hospital visits, interpret at Mass, and offer religious
education. Father Pavia is also available for confession. Please
contact Father Pavia at 924-8611 or Sr. Nancy at 416-1383 if
you would like more information. |
Reminder:
VIRTUS
Protecting God's Children schedule updated
To download an updated list of dates, places, and times for
training in Microsoft Word,
click
here.
Reminder:
Save
the Date: Parents' Training Sessions scheduled
To
download a flyer on "Think First and Stay Safe" training
sessions for parents, scheduled for January
6, 2010, click
here. |
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Education
Contact: Dr.
Margaret Dames, Superintendent of Schools |
Reminder:
Articles in Support of Catholic Education
Please read the fourth of 13 articles written by the
Catholic Bishops of New England in support of Education. This
one is written by Bishop Richard Malone of Portland,
ME.
"Strengthening
the Heartbeat of our Catholic Schools"
Reminder:
Catholic
Alumni Partnership
The
Diocese of Bridgeport has been awarded a $750,000 grant through
the Catholic Alumni Partnership to
better track alumni and build additional support for Catholic
elementary schools throughout Fairfield County. To read the
press release, click
here. |
Reminder:
Please promote Celebrity Breakfast, December 4; and Thomas Merton Center, Morning
Glory needs
Please publish these announcements in your parish bulletin as often as possible.
Thank you.
Bulletin
Announcements:
"CELEBRITY BREAKFAST" –
The 18th annual Catholic Charities
of Norwalk "Celebrity Breakfast" will
be held on Friday, December
4, at 8
a.m. at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk.
Local business and community leaders
will serve the breakfast and collect
"tips" to
support the child care and mental health counseling programs
of Catholic Charities in the Norwalk area. This year’s fundraiser
will also turn into a tribute to the guest speaker, Father Charles
H. Allen, S.J., who is celebrating his 50th anniversary as a
Jesuit priest. For more information or to make a reservation,
please call 203-750-9711 or e-mail jgauthier@ccfc-ct.org.
THOMAS
MERTON CENTER in
Bridgeport needs pasta sauce for their
guests. To help, please call Mark
Grasso: 203-367-9036.
MORNING GLORY in Danbury is in need of cereal
and pancake mix. For
more information and to make a donation, please contact Michele
Conderino: 748-0848, ext. 231.
New:
Save the date: New Covenant House fundraising concert, January 16
On January 16, 2010, at the Palace Theater in Stamford, New
Covenant House of Hospitality and the Stamford Symphony Orchestra will be making
music together to benefit the hungry in our community. Beginning with cocktails
and hearty hors d’oeuvres at 6:00 p.m., the evening includes a “Behind the Baton”
presentation by Music Director Eckart Preu, a breathtaking Mozart concert featuring
violinist Elena Urioste, intermission dessert and coffee, and a post concert
cordial. Tickets are $200 per person. All proceeds benefit New Covenant House
of Hospitality. New Covenant House’s soup kitchen, food pantry and after-school
meal program serves more than 350,000 meals annually to the poor, homeless, and
disadvantaged in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, and New Canaan. For tickets, please
contact Terry Laughren at laughren@optonline.net.
Reminder:
Office of Community Outreach's News and Needs
Every good deed we do puts a proximate face on Christ
to those we help. We are ambassadors for Christ and for His Church.
Now more than ever, the practical assistance offered
by the Diocese through Catholic Charities is imperative. Please
consider the great work offered and accomplished through the
many programs operated by Catholic Charities.
Please pray daily for
all our dedicated staff. Become a real partner in these philanthropic
efforts through your financial support. Anyone interested in
helping expand our outreach can contact Father Seraphim at
(203) 416-1331 or via e-mail at frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
- V.I.T.A. Tax Assistance: Volunteers needed A.S.A.P.
training deadline quickly approaching! : Catholic
Charities is partnering with C.F.S. to host a V.I.T.A. site
for the 2009 tax year and needs volunteers to help for a
few hours a week from February to April 2010. The site
will be at our offices in the Catholic Center in Bridgeport
: Mon. Wed. & Thurs. 5:30pm
–8:30pm and Sat 10am –2pm.
V.I.T.A. volunteers prepare basic federal and state income
tax returns free-of-charge for individuals with low and limited
income, individuals with disabilities, non-English speaking
and elderly taxpayers. Last tax season, volunteers provided
free assistance in Connecticut to over 35,000 taxpayers at
180 conveniently located sites. In 2007, 19,474 returns were
filed at V.I.T.A sites. Over $20 million in total refunds were
distributed through the V.I.T.A sites.$8.9 million in 'Earned
Income Tax Credit' dollars were distributed to families who
might have missed this filing on their own!
V.I.T.A. volunteers are asked to offer at least 3 hours each
week from February 1 to April 15, 2010. If
you feel you can more or even less time at least contact us
about the possibilities. NO
EXPERIENCE NEEDED - all training provided.
To volunteer or
for more info contact Fr. Seraphim at the Catholic Charities
Community Outreach office at (203) 581.4978 or e-mail frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
- Computer needed for housing program: A housing
program residence run by Catholic Charities is seeking a computer
with Internet capabilities for the residents to access job
sites and compose and print resumes and utilize email for communication
and scheduling interviews. If you are able to donate either
a desktop or laptop, please contact frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
- Harvest Now: A
message from Brooks Sumberg (St, Augustine Medal winner
2009), founder of the Connecticut Bike Project & Harvest
Now) -
It has been one year since we had the first collection of
bikes at a local church. We have collected 385 bikes in this
year and we have given options for increased mobility to
families seeking work, released prisoners reporting to probation
officers and untold children whom a new bike was only a fantasy.
I thank you for helping me to achieve our goals,-- to better
the lives of those in the neighborhoods of east Bridgeport.
Now I personally call on you again, to start a new ministry,
one that is even more basic, than primary transportation. We
must feed people and we must begin now. I envision the implementation
of community gardens in every churchyard and on every faith
based community that can participate. I see our youth groups
joining in and contributing their time, their energy to growing
vegetables for the food banks of our cities from Bridgeport
to New Haven and Stamford. These are the repositories of our
working class poor. These are the people who perform the work
that your forbears did many years ago. It is now our time to
help, to perform the social works that our government no longer
provides. Through this mission, local people can fill in the
gaps that are so apparent, as the economy worsens and their
quality of life deteriorates.
My vision is a simple one, as outlined below;
Every participating church and synagogue, will be given a suggested
commodity to grow, either on their surrounding property or
in raised bed gardens that can be built anywhere including
parking lots. The Connecticut Bike Project/Harvest
Now will
provide the expertise to develop these plots, and some of the
tools needed to open the land ie. roto tillers. We will provide
suggested plot patterns and suggested seed stock to utilize
for the gardens. We are asking that all financial cost will
be born by the individual congregation/ parishes. The garden
labor can be performed by youth groups or parishioners. One
adult from each parish/congregation will be assigned as the
leader to monitor and control the garden. They will perform
the management of the gardens, including shipping the harvested
crops to the central food banks. The Connecticut Bike Project/Harvest
Now will assist where we can, in bettering crop yields and
general administrative help.
What do we need from you? First
a coordinator must be chosen from the congregation, either
an adult or the youth group leader. A plot of land must be
chosen, and a plot plan adopted. This will be in conjunction
with the bike project/Harvest Now volunteers.
Now it is your turn to help us to organize this entity and
we look forward to hearing from you, Our goal is to develop
the plots this fall and start growing vegetables in the spring
of 2010.
I thank you for your time, your initiative and your concern
in this new ministry. Let us hasten our effort, for we have
people in need, and we have the desire and ability to help. Step
forward. be counted as the community that answered the call,
when it was apparent that there were none others to listen.For
more information, please contact Brooks Sumberg:bsumberg@earthlink.net.
- Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry: Blessed
Sacrament operates a food pantry which serves those
in need in some of the poorest
and most struggling neighborhoods
in Bridgeport. They are in need
of any dry and canned food donations you can
imagine a family needing during tough economic times. Please
consider dropping off a small donation to help their efforts.
You can contact the parish at 203-333-1202 or e-mail: blessedsacramentrc@sbcglobal.net or
simply drop your donation of food at the rectory located at
275 Union Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06607.
- Connecticut Bike Project (over 850 bikes
collected and distributed so far!): The Connecticut Bike Project
is a program that collects and distributes donated bicycles
in good working condition to financially challenged children
and adults who need them. Besides offering them to children
for recreation the aim of the endeavor is to provide needed
transportation to work and for running errands to the economically
disadvantaged; individuals with physical or mental disabilities
that prevent them from driving, ex-offenders re-entering the
workforce and other folks who can’t afford a vehicle or are
without licenses to drive.
Consider hosting a Bike-Drive at your parish! Please spread
the word that bicycles are in need for this project. Contact
Mr. Brooks Sumberg (St. Augustine Medal winner 2009) to schedule
a drive in your parish or through your club or organization.
He will be there for the event and take the bikes the same
day as the drive. All you need to do is publicize the drive
in your bulletins or newsletters. Maybe you can make it a project
for your Parish youth group or confirmation class.
All individual bikes can be dropped off at 96 Hillspoint Road
in Westport (please leave them at the house end of the driveway)
or you can contact the project founder, Mr. Brooks Sumberg,
by e-mail: bsumberg@earthlink.net.
If you know of a child or adult in need of a bike you may contact
The Urban Center at Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Bridgeport
which has graciously houses the project and serves as the distribution
center. The Director of The Urban Center is Roberto, and he
can be reached at 203-993-1027. The Center is located at 1279
E Main St.
- Help needed! There is a woman of unfathomable
generosity who goes to downtown Bridgeport every other weekend
and feeds anyone who is in need. Her name is Ann Marie. She
serves over 100 hot meals (usually three courses) almost singled-handed.
She freely distributes everything from bay clothes to canned
soup. Besides cooking all the food herself at her home, she
purchases most with her own funds!
I should also mention that her charity occurs no matter what
the weather or the temperature; out on the street, in the open
air, rain or shine, snow or clear, on the simple folding tables
she brings with her. When everything has been given out Ann
Marie even canvasses the sidewalks to pick up stray napkins
and cups so no trash is left behind. She then loads up her
professional sized pots and pans in her car to bring them back
home to wash and get ready to do all over again.
If you are interested in joining me help Ann Marie every other
Sunday or even occasionally, please give me a call. If you
can drop off baby clothes; canned soup, peanut butter ramen
noodles, blankets or paper cups, plates & supplies
please contact Ann Marie at (203)268-5553, or drop donation
off at 18 Country Lane in Trumbull.
IMMEDIATE NEED LIST: “Take-away” food containers, Large plastic
folding tables, Large beverage thermoses with spigots, Large
commercial baking pans , Peanut butter, Canned soup, Canned
vegetables, Cereal, Paper cups, Lemonade, Iced tea, Microwave
popcorn, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Band-aids, Bars of soap,
Shampoo, Men’s socks, Men’s clothes, Oatmeal, Antibacterial
ointment (Neosporin), and Rubber
gloves.
- Saint Charles Urban Center: The Urban Center
at Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Bridgeport has been helping
people in need for many many years. Especially in these current
economic times they can desperately use donations of food,
clothes, furniture in good condition and, well, anything a
family who is struggling needs. Please consider them in your
prayers and in the grocery line. You can reach the Director,
Roberto at 203-993-1027. The Center is located at 1279 East
Main St., Bridgeport.
- Bibles for Prison Outreach: The Prison
Outreach ministry is in desperate need of Bibles for the prison.
Anyone able to either donate copies of Catholic Bibles or make
contributions toward bulk purchase please deliver them to the
Catholic Center at 238 Jewett Ave. or email the Catholic Charities
Community Outreach office at: frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
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Reminder:
Influenza
Vaccination Clinic TODAY
Health officials are reminding people that this is the best time
to work on flu prevention.
The #1 way to stop the flu is to get vaccinated!
The Diocese
of Bridgeport will host a vaccination clinic to obtain the flu
shot (not the
H1N1 vaccine) TODAY:
- Catholic Center, 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport: Tuesday, November
10,
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
No Cost to employees with a Valid Aetna ID Card. $30 for Non-Aetna Members. Registration
is required, although no appointment times
will be issued. Please e-mail mkeogh@diobpt.org with
your name.
For other Maxim Health Systems Locations that accept Aetna, visit www.findaflushot.com.
Reminder:
Positions Available
An
updated list of positions available is posted on the Diocesan
website: click here.
Current
listings include:
- Program Support Worker, New Covenant House, Stamford
- Enrichment Coordinator, McGivney Center, Bridgeport
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