This is how we answer our missionary call. This is how we build a culture of life, a culture that joyfully proclaims the truth of God's love, purpose, and plan for each person. Changing the culture is a process of conversion that begins in our own hearts and includes a willingness to be instructed and a desire to be close to Jesus-the source of joy and love.
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In this issue:
Take Action below on current legislative alerts!
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"Be Not Afraid"
2018 Respect Life Contest
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Bookmark Level II
1st Place Winner
Sarah D
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Mural for Life Level I
2nd Place Winners
Isabella D, Selin M,
Julian M & Brook V
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A Prayer for Fathers
God our Father,
we give you thanks and praise
for fathers young and old.
We pray for young fathers,
newly embracing their vocation;
May they find the courage and perseverance
to balance work, family, and faith in joy and sacrifice.
We pray for our own fathers
who have supported and challenged us;
May they continue to lead in strong and gentle ways.
We remember fathers around the world
whose children are lost or suffering;
May they know that the God of compassion
walks with them in their sorrow.
We pray for men who are not fathers
but still mentor and guide us
with fatherly love and advice.
We remember fathers, grandfathers,
and great-grandfathers who are no longer with us
but who live forever in our memory
and nourish us with their love.
Amen.
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"Nothing could better express the pride and emotion a father feels when he understands that he has handed down to his child what really matters in life, that is, a wise heart." - Pope Francis
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+ ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY
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Catholics across the United States are encouraged to pray and act in support of religious liberty at home and abroad during Serving Others in God's Love: Religious Freedom Week 2018, which begins on June 22, the Feast of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, and ends on June 29, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.
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God's Servant First Catholic Organizations Serve Common Good
One of the most important functions of the state is to promote and defend the common good. So, it makes sense that federal, state, and local governments have often partnered with faith-based organizations that serve the public.
Read more
www.usccb.org
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Oppose Late-Term Abortion Expansion
Last updated: 6/1/18
While late-term abortion expansion was not included in the enacted state budget, and the Senate Health Committee recently defeated a stand-alone bill, new efforts are underway by abortion advocates to try to accomplish the same goals through hostile amendments. The language put forth by the advocates would eliminate New York's restrictions on late-term abortion, empower non-doctors to perform the procedure, and remove protections against unwanted or coerced abortions. Urge your State Senator to stand strong against late-term abortion expansion in any form!
Take action today!
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Maintain the Ban on Surrogacy
Last Updated: 2/1/2018
Legislation which would undo New York's longstanding ban on surrogate motherhood for profit just got a boost with a new government report recommending the practice. This would enable the buying and selling of children, exploit women and undermine their dignity, intentionally divide families by separating children from at least one of their biological parents, and lead to an increased reliance on IVF (in vitro fertilization) and the destruction of more human embryos. Please let your elected officials know that you oppose this bill because it would do much more harm than good.
Take action now.
Tell Congress to reinstate DACA
Last Updated: 2/1/2018
Since the announcement that the Trump Administration is rescinding the Obama-era Executive Order known as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), the issue has become a political football, with the future of nearly 800,000 beneficiaries of the program (including an estimated 42,000 of our fellow New Yorkers) hanging in the balance. While the federal government has the right and duty to protect and secure our borders, the individuals who benefitted from DACA have done nothing wrong. The Dreamers were brought to this country as children by their parents; for many, they have known no other home.
Take action
Oppose Doctor-Assisted Suicide
Last Updated: 2/1/2018
On September 7, 2017, the New York State Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that there is no Constitutional right to assisted suicide in our state Constitution. The judges said there are legitimate and important reasons for maintaining a ban on the practice. While this is a tremendous victory for life, it will not stop the proponents of physician-assisted suicide from pushing their agenda with the Legislature in 2018. Please let your Senate and Assembly representatives know that you strongly oppose the legalization of assisted suicide, and urge them to vote "no" should the bill come before them for a vote.
Send the email below to your elected officials now!
Express Disappointment to Congress About Its Failure to Enact the Conscience Protection Act
Last Updated: 03/29/2018
Passage of the Conscience Protection Act (CPA) has been and remains a high priority of the Catholic Bishops. Unfortunately, the U.S. Congress failed to enact the CPA as part of the 2018 omnibus spending bill, as we hoped. We urge you to contact Congress over their failure to act
Take Action!
Last Updated: 02/28/2018
On January 26, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published in the
Federal Register (Vol. 83, pp. 3880 et seq.)
a proposed rule to enforce 25 existing statutory conscience protections for Americans involved in HHS-funded programs, which protect people from being coerced into participating in activities that violate their consciences, such as abortion, sterilization, or assisted suicide.
TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to reinstate DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
Last Updated: 1/24/2018
Since the announcement that the Trump Administration is rescinding the Obama-era Executive Order known as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), the issue has become a political football, with the future of nearly 800,000 beneficiaries of the program (including an estimated 42,000 of our fellow New Yorkers) hanging in the balance. While the federal government has the right and duty to protect and secure our borders, the individuals who benefitted from DACA have done nothing wrong. The Dreamers were brought to this country as children by their parents; for many, they have known no other home.
Take Action Today!
Last Updated: 10/04/2017
Cardinal Dolan, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Bishop Dewane, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development have expressed their strong support for H. Con. Res. 80, a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that assisted suicide is a "deadly, discriminatory and non-compassionate practice."
Learn more about this Action Alert
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The 12" x 18" colored pencil on white acrylic paper is an original work of art donated to the Respect Life Office for pregnancy supportive care.
The framed work is titled Zechariah 9:9 and pictures a donkey with 3 crosses upon a hill in the background.
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The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
June 3, 2018
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The Savior Painting by Juan de Juanes
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On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He sent two of his disciples and said to them,
"Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water.
Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,
'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"' Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there."
The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.
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Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 8, 2018
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Since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe. For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled: Not a bone of it will be broken. And again another passage says: They will look upon him whom they have pierced.
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Solemnity of the Nativity of
St. John the Baptist
June 24, 2018
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The Birth of St. John the Baptist, c. 1655, Bartolomé-Esteban Murillo
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Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside
at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense.
Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah,
because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.
And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
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Solemnity of
Saints
Peter and Paul, Apostles
June 29, 2018
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Farewell To St Peter And St Paul
By François Perrier
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Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and, when they had finished breakfast, said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." He then said to Simon Peter a second time,"Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
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50th Anniversary of
Humane Vitae
Encyclical letter by Paul VI
July 25, 2018
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"The transmission of human life is a most serious role in which married people collaborate freely and responsibly with God the Creator. It has always been a source of great joy to them, even though it sometimes entails many difficulties and hardships."
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25th Anniversary of
Veritatis Splendor
Encyclical letter by John Paul II
August 6, 2018
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"The splendour of truth shines forth in all the works of the Creator and, in a special way, in man, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26).
Truth enlightens man’s intelligence and shapes his freedom, leading him to know and love the Lord."
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OCTOBER 13, 2018
8:30AM- 4:30 PM
The Mirenda Center for Sport,
Spirituality and Character Development
NEUMANN UNIVERSITY
One Neumann Drive
Aston, PA 19014
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50 YEARS AGO Blessed Paul VI prophesied to the world that marriages and the society would suffer if the use of contraception became widespread. This conference will highlight the fulfillment of these prophecies in the world today and offer a reflection as to how selflessness, love, self- mastery and moral responsibility can reverse this trend.
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Gaudete et Exsultate
“Rejoice and Be Glad”
( Alegraos Y Regocijaos)
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In this new apostolic exhortation from Pope Francis, Rejoice and Be Glad, the pope looks at the call to holiness in today’s world, with wit, insight, and encouraging counsel.
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Respect Life Blog:
Masterpieces of Creation: Recognizing Human Dignity Through Suicide Prevention
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In this blog series, we will explore the issue of mental illness and suicide among young people. While this can be a difficult topic to face, and is often times avoided, we can better make ourselves aware of how to prevent suicide by first acknowledging and discussing the problem. By looking at suicide from the Catholic perspective, we will recognize the dignity and sanctity of human life as given to us by God. Our call to protect life from conception through natural death encourages us to be advocates for suicide prevention.
“But God’s love – individual, real, unchanging- is true source of our worth, identity, and dignity. It really is not a question of who we are, but rather whose we are. Because his love will never change, nothing can reduce our God-given dignity, and nothing can diminish the immeasurable worth of our lives.” - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Brigid Lynn, Respect Life Intern
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If you are in need of immediate help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
“The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
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About the Author
Brigid Lynn is the Respect Life Intern for Spring 2018. She is currently a sophomore in the Adelphi University Honors College, where she is studying Sociology with a minor in Dance. Brigid is passionate about serving the community and has participated in outreach programs both locally and internationally. She aspires to further her education and one day run her own non-profit organization to help those in need.
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How do we bridge the gap between wounded men and women, the growing mistrust of self and other in a porn-addled, hook-up culture that deadens the very desire it provokes?
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Healing Wound Between Man And Woman
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Place:
St. Dominic’s Hall of St. Catherine of Siena Parish
411 E. 68th St. New York, NY 10065
Cost :
$25/person
Email:
info@desertstream.org
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The Heartbreak of IVF
by: Mary McClusky
June 1, 2018
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In their desire for a child, couples who struggle with infertility sometimes turn to in vitro fertilization (IVF). The rapidly growing industry that provides IVF offers fulfillment of a couple's dream of becoming parents. For some, the dream turns into a nightmare after multiple IVF attempts fail to produce a child. Torn between cycles of hope and heartbreak, these couples suffer from the effects of what Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City recently called a "God crisis," which he described as "the most serious crisis" facing our country. As Archbishop Naumann highlighted, when we sever our relationship with God and reject His plan, we view people as things.
How is in vitro fertilization a rejection of God's plan? Consider the process: the mother's eggs are collected from her ovaries, fertilized by the father's sperm in a lab, and the new life is implanted in the uterus. In the words of Robert Edwards, one of the scientists who created the first "test-tube" baby 40 years ago, "I wanted to find out exactly who was in charge, whether it was God Himself or whether it was scientists in the laboratory." His answer: "It was us."
Read more
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Call
the 24-hour for National Hotline 1-800-712-HELP (4357) or
visit
OPTIONLINE.ORG
for Pregnancy Options & Resources
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Creighton Model Education Program
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The Catholic Health Services Gianna Center for Women’s Health & Fertility is pleased to announce the first FertilityCarePractitioner Education Program on Long Island available to those interested in joining the profession of promoting authentic women’s health care & natural family planning.
The 13 month program includes two education phases and two supervised practicum. The onsite course will be held over the course of three weekends Friday- Monday (August, Sept, March) in Huntington New York, with two supervised practicums.
For more information, contact
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Gianna Center of Long Island
Women's Health & Fertility
Comprehensive, Cooperative:
A Unique New Approach to Women's Health and Wellness
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Our highly skilled team is delighted to offer an exciting approach to women's health care. We provide preventive and specialized obstetrical and gynecologic care to women, honoring their dignity and the sanctity of human life. While we are successfully able to address male infertility as well, we are uniquely qualified to care for women of all ages and at all stages of life.
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If you or someone you know of is pregnant Catholic Charities and Catholic Health Services, can provide assistance please contact 1 (855) 301-4CHS or visit
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Gabriel's Courage - Catholic Health Services
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A program for families expecting a child with a life limiting illness. Gabriel's Courage is a family-centered perinatal program, offering a multidisciplinary team approach and continuum of care for families who choose to continue a pregnancy after receiving a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis. A program of Catholic Health Services (CHS) and Good Shepherd Hospice, Gabriel's Courage works in collaboration with the Diocese of Rockville Centre's peer ministry initiative to provide care to families.
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Project Rachel Hope After Abortion
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Do you know someone who is suffering abortion loss, there is hope and healing after abortion
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Diocese of Rockville Centre Day of Prayer and Healing for Women
The Day of Prayer and Healing for Women is an opportunity to experience the loving mercy of God in a safe and sacred space.
Saturday, June 9, 2018
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For more information, visit the Project Rachel Hope After Abortion
website
, call the Respect Life Office's confidential phoneline: 1-888-456-HOPE(se habla espanol) or email
projectrachel@drvc.org
to begin healing after abortion loss.
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Respect Life Website Donation Page
Join our Mission to Serve Life!
The Respect Life Office enunciates and promotes the principle that human life, at all stages from conception to natural death, is a gift from God, worthy of respect and protection. You can now make an online donation to the Respect Life Office.
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3
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.
JN 6:51
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Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to his call.
EPH 1:17-18
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Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord;
and learn from me, for I am meek and gentle of heart.
MT 11:29
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Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Blessed is the Virgin Mary who kept the word of God and pondered it in her heart.
LK 2:19
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This volunteer training builds a foundation for understanding the general principles of ministering to the sick.
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For families who have children with special needs can attend Mass together!
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Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
MT 5:12
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13
Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Teach me your paths, my God,
and guide me in your truth.
PS 25:4
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Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious
You have received a spirit of adoption as sons through which we cry: Abba! Father!
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Let us take a few moments each day from June 22 - June 29 to pray, reflect, and take action on religious liberty.
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Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
He came to testify to the light,
to prepare a people fit for the Lord.
JN 1:7
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28
Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
JN14:23
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29
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles - Vigil
Lord, you know everything;
you know that I love you.
JN 21:17
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You can continue to preserve and defend Religious Liberty year round find out
how.
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WORD OF LIFE | PALABRA DE VIDA
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Please include these in your Sunday Bulletin.
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BULLETIN INSERTS - FOR PARISH RESPECT LIFE
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For more information
For more information
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Additional Respect Life Informational Websites
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DEUS CARITAS EST ... GOD IS LOVE
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Allison O'Brien, Director
Patricia Fox, Project Rachel Ministry Coordinator
S. Elizabeth A. Geraghty
Diana Tellis, Ministry/Dept. Assistant
______________________________________
Ashley Foster, Media Specialist
Bridget Lynn, Respect Life Intern
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CONTACT US
RESPECT LIFE OFFICE
50 North Park Ave.
F: (516) 536-3473
Rockville Ctr., NY 11570
P: (516) 678-5800
Exts.626 & 381
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THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED MISSION TO SERVE LIFE!
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