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St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-02-24
Bulletin Contents
Prodson
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St. George Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (651) 222-6220
  • Fax:
  • (651) 225-9276
  • Street Address:

  • 1111 Summit Avenue

  • Saint Paul, MN 55105


Contact Information










Services Schedule

Sunday Morning Orthros/Matins 8:15am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am; Saturday Great Vespers 5:00pm (October thru May); Weekday Services (see Online Calendar, Sunday Bulletin & Monthly Newsletter); Confession (by appointment).


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 2nd Mode

When the angelic powers appeared at your tomb and those who guarded You became as though dead, and standing by Your sepulchre was Mary seeking Your pure and sacred body. For You did vanquish Hades and uncorrupted by its touch You came unto the virgin woman, bestowing the gift of life O You who rose from the dead. Lord we give glory to You.

Apolytikion for 1st and 2nd Finding of the Head of the Forerunner in the 4th Mode

The Forerunner's sacred head, having dawned forth from the earth, doth send incorruption's rays unto the faithful, whereby they find healings of their ills. From on high he gathereth the choirs of the Angels and on earth he summoneth the whole race of mankind, that they with one voice might send up glory to Christ our God.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 3rd Mode

O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, "I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants."
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Saints and Feasts

Prodson
February 24

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.


07_john2
February 24

First & Second Finding of the Venerable Head of John the Baptist

The first finding came to pass during the middle years of the fourth century, through a revelation of the holy Forerunner to two monks, who came to Jerusalem to worship our Saviour's Tomb. One of them took the venerable head in a clay jar to Emesa in Syria. After his death it went from the hands of one person to another, until it came into the possession of a certain priest-monk named Eustathius, an Arian. Because he ascribed to his own false belief the miracles wrought through the relic of the holy Baptist, he was driven from the cave in which he dwelt, and by dispensation forsook the holy head, which was again made known through a revelation of Saint John, and was found in a water jar, about the year 430, in the days of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger, when Uranius was Bishop of Emesa.


February 24

Cumine the White, Abbot of Iona


February 24

Boswell, Abbot of Melrose Abbey


February 24

Romanos, Prince of Uglich


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53

At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15.

Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"


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Wisdom of the Fathers

But if he had despaired of his life, and, ... had remained in the foreign land, he would not have obtained what he did obtain, but would have been consumed with hunger, and so have undergone the most pitiable death: ...
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

... but since he repented, and did not despair, he was restored, even after such great corruption, to the same splendour as before, and was arrayed in the most beautiful robe, and enjoyed greater honours than his brother who had not fallen.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

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News and Events

ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

 Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter

1111 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105, (651) 222-6220, www.stgeorgegoc.org

 

February 24, 2019                                                                           SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON

 

TODAY’S EVENTS: Children’s dance practice 12:15pm; Greek Dance practice 4:30pm.

 

Memorial: Joanna Angelis (40 days)         Prosfora: Irene Loudas         Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati

Greeters: Jon Kennedy, Andrea Walkush                                                  Fellowship: Family of Joanna Angelis

 

Monday       02-25     Catechism Class “Church II-Councils, Creeds, Bible, Tradition” w/ Fr. Wojcik      7:00PM

Wednesday 02-27     Bible Study                                                                                                     1:30PM

                                   Youth Ministry meeting                                                                                    6:30PM

Saturday      03-02     VESPERS                                                                                                       5:00PM

Sunday         03-03     ORTHROS (8:15am) &DIVINE LITURGYJUDGMENT SUNDAY                        9:30AM

                                    MEATFARE

                                   Youth Oratorical Festival                                                                             11:00AM

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

2020 Basketball Tourney: will be hosted by our parish here in Saint Paul, MN on February 7-8-9, 2020. Several persons already volunteered to serve on planning committee and parish council approved at last meeting. The last time we hosted was 2012. Contact Fr. Rick or George Mastrogiorgis to volunteer.

Fresh Phyllo - Philoptochos is taking orders for FRESH phyllo following liturgy today and March 3, 10. It will be ready for pick up March 24. Forms will be available on-line and at church. If you have any questions, please contact Presbytera Jane at janedono1@gmail.com. Make your holiday baking easy with FRESH PHYLLO!!

Learn Greek Dancing: The Greek School will be teaching kids Greek folk dancing after Sunday liturgies at 12:15pm in the social hall. The dance practices are in preparation for the Greek Independence Day program on Sunday, March 24 and the Festival of Nations (May 2-5) Please contact Angela or Stella for more information.

Think About It: Sorrow is given to us on purpose, to cure us of sin.        St. John Chrysostom (+407)

Bible Study: meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 1:30-3pm in the conference room at church. RSVP or questions to Kathy Ryan 651-292-9948 or Kathy.aeiou@gmail.com. All are welcome!

Lent Approaches: next Sunday is Meatfare when we start fasting from meat products to prepare for the start of Great and Holy Lent on March 11th. Start planning now how you will intensify prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

New Sunday Social Hour Coordinator: Thank you to Rita Kanavati for assuming this important task! Please contact Rita at ritakanavati@comcast.net if your family or group would like to host a Sunday Social Hour.

Lenten Lectures- Wednesday theme is Christian Italy in which Fr. Rick shares images, memories and history from his recent trip including Venice, Florence, Sienna, Pisa & Rome. Friday’s theme is Patrology and Patristics: Church Fathers in Orthodoxy with various speakers covering the Apostolic Fathers of the 1st cent (Fr. Thaddeus Wojcik), Cappadocians of the 4th cent (Fr. Andrew Morbey), Greek Fathers (Fr. George Dokos) and the Syriac/Desert Fathers (Fr. Paul Wesche). Each preceded by Presanctified Liturgy & Lenten meal.

2019 Lenten Meal Sign-up Sheet: please sign up in the social hall to host the 7:30pm community meals individually or with a group on Wednesdays (March 13, 20, 27 and April 3, 10) and Fridays (March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12) during Great Lent. Potluck meals are scheduled for Lazaros Saturday and Holy Friday. Thank you!

Exterior Restoration- Brick, block and tuckpointing have been completed. Cost of project is $118,647. We have raised over $78,305 from our parishioners and friends. Please join us in this important work. Thank you!

Stewardship 2019: Theme is “All things are possible to the one who believes in Christ” (Mark 9:23). 60 pledges have been received averaging $1,844, total $110,695. Three things to do: 1) pray for God’s inspiration and guidance, 2) plan-budget stewardship first, 3) give generously and sacrificially, at least three percent (3%) of gross yearly income. We thank you for supporting the ministries of our parish!

Lenten Retreat: our 14th annual St. Gregory Palamas Festival of Light Lenten Retreat will be March 22-24 with Fr. Moses Berry speaking on African Americans and Orthodox Christianity. Fr. Moses will share his life journey into Orthodoxy (Friday evening), Christian History in Africa (Saturday morning) and the African American Experience & Orthodoxy (Sat. afternoon). Potluck lunch on Sat. followed by Vespers.

Summit Avenue Bridge Project: a community open house will be held next Wednesday, Feb 27 from 5:30-7:30pm at the St. Paul Police Dept, 389 North Hamline Ave, St. Paul, where city staff will present an overview of the project to begin in October 2019. See notification posted in social hall, detailing the closure of Summit Avenue over Ayd Mill Road and the anticipated traffic detour.

Church Fathers Speak: He who wants to conquer the world, must take up the rarely used weapon of forgivenss, despite the trouble he may suffer at the hands of the people of this world.               Elder Arsenie Boca of Romania (+1989)

MEOCCA Choir Rehearsals for Sunday Lenten Vespers: at St. Panteleimon Russian Orthodox Church, on Friday, March 1, 7:15pm and Tuesday, March 5, 7pm. Address is 2210 Franklin Ave SE, Minneapolis. New singers welcome! We will also be forming a MEOCCA Chanters Group this year. Contact MEOCCA Choir Director Mark Wesche at mark.wesche@gmail.com with questions.

Girls Day-Treat: An Orthodox Lenten Retreat for Girls grades 8 – 12 aims to help them grow into womanhood through the teachings of the Church. Twelve Holy Apostles Church in Duluth hosts this day of prayer, learning and fellowship on Saturday, March 9! Please register and see more details at www.12holyapostles.org!

Wisdom from the Fathers: Do not say, “this happened by chance.” In all that exists there is nothing disorderly, nothing indefinite, nothing without purpose, nothing by chance…How many hairs are on your head? God will not forget one of them. Do you see how nothing, even the smallest thing, escapes the gaze of God?                    St. Basil the Great (+379)

St. Mary’s Lenten Retreat: Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, 2019. This year’s theme is “Talking in Circles: The Orthodox Understanding of Scripture,” led by Fr. John Kostas. See flyer in social hall for details.

Youth Ministry Updates: youth & family events scheduled for March 23rd, April 20 & 26, and May 11. Next organizational planning meeting will be Wed. Feb.27th 6:30pm, then Mon. March 25th 7pm, & Wed. May 15th.

Patristic Wisdom: Contemplate the love of Jesus. The love of Jesus will overpower every other desire. The more we renounce in the natural world, the more the love of God we shall enjoy.              Elder Ephraim of Arizona

New Office Hours: effective February 4, the church office will be open Tuesday-Friday, 9am to 5pm  and closed on Mondays for a three-month trial period. Give feedback to Fr. Rick or a parish council member.

Choir Practices: on the third Sunday of each month after Divine Liturgy. Also, in preparation for Lent and holy Week- March 12th 6:30 pm, March 18th 7:00pm, March 26th, April 2nd, April 9th – 6:30 pm, April 15th 7:00pm.

Youth Minister Position Open: applications are now being accepted for this part time position. To apply, email a resume, cover letter and two references to Fr. Rick at fatherrick@stgeorgegoc.org.

Festival of Nations (FON) May 2-5: For over 85 years, the Festival of Nations has inspired people throughout the region to discover more about our world and embrace the rich cultural diversity brought to us by immigrants from around the globe. The St. George community has been involved from the beginning. This event is a fun way to celebrate a culture that many parishioners share, and the proceeds benefit our church and its ministries. Please join us by volunteering at the Greek Café. We need volunteers for all shifts and roles such as food prep, server, clean up, move-in /setup and breakdown/move-out. Use the Sign Up Genius website at the following link to sign up to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CA5AD2BABFF2-festival4 or contact Tom Lampros. This year’s FON dates, May 2-5, the week after Pascha, avoid Easter and Mother’s Day, so we are expecting good crowds. Learn more about the FON at their website: http://www.festivalofnations.com.

Biblical Symposium: The 2019 Symposium of the Orthodox Center for the Advancement of Biblical Studies (OCABS), will be held March 8-9, 2019, at St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church, in St. Paul. The keynote speaker is Dr. Robert Miller, Ordinary Professor of Old Testament, School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America. A special episode of the Bible as Literature will be recorded live at the symposium. For program details, see flyer in social hall. To register, please visit ephesusschool.org.

Photos Updated! Through December 2018 on parish website www.stgeorgegoc.shutterfly.com.

Metropolis Clergy Laity: The St. George and St. Mary Church communities will co-host in the Twin Cities September 25-29, 2019. Alexis Bighley will co-chair. Hotel is Hyatt Regency in Bloomington.

2019 Pilgrimage to The Holy Land: Tom and Mary Rudquist of St. George Antiochian Church will lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land September 17-26, 2019 that includes 3 nights in the Old City of Jerusalem; 3 nights in Bethlehem, and 2 nights in Nazareth. Cost is $1450 plus tips and airfare; includes hotels, transportation, entry fees, all breakfasts and dinners, 2 lunches and boat ride on Sea of Galilee. Limit is 25 participants; please confirm by March 15. For more info contact Tom or Mary at 651-890-6817 or abousean@yahoo.com.

FOCUS MN Update: Volunteers opportunities at new home 550 Rice Street in St. Paul: team leader and workers to renovate kitchen and food shelf area- contact Vera at 651-324-2705 or vsproctor@gmail.com. On Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays 10am – 2pm volunteer to unpack and sort donations, clean, make minor repairs and more. Contact Kathy Schtowchan, 651-343-4183 or k.schtowchan@comcast.net.

Roselawn Cemetery Lots: 2019 prices are: $6,120 for a Monument Lot (2 graves); $3,825 for a Flat Lot A (2 graves); $2,167.50 for a Flat Lot B (1 grave). Single graves have limited availability. Contact church today!

New Sunday School Director! Thank you to Miss Aida Abebe for graciously volunteering to lead our religious education program, working with our current teachers: Lerah McCullough (PreK), Carol Alexis (K-1), Lama Ghazi (2-3), Stephen Kanavati (4-5-6), Anastasia Mastrogiorgis (7-9) and Nick Kanavati & Vicky Paraschou (10-12). Please support Aida and the teachers by frequently bringing your children to liturgy and Sunday school.

New Youth Advisors: Several youth advisors have volunteered for various age groups to organize events and work with parents and children to increase participation. GOYA Anastasia Mastrogiorgis and Phyllis Kapetanakis will lead junior high and high school (7-12 grades). JOY Maria Paraschou and Katherine Cabieses will lead elementary ages (K-6 grades). HOPE: Lerah McCullough and Joanna Tzenis will lead preschool ages.

Recycle Clear Drinking Cups! reminder to those hosting or attending events in the social hall: the clear cups (for cold beverages) are recyclable! Please recycle them and help save our environment.

Recycle Icons- please do not throw icons, including printed Sunday Bulletins, in the trash. They are holy and sacred images of the saints. Please return them to the church office or social hall to be given to those in need.

Things Sound Different- yes, that’s right, the Sunday liturgy is sounding a bit different the last few months. That’s because the choir is using minor mode from the Cherubic Hymn through the Epiklesis/Consecration. Although this is new to our community, it is not innovative or novel in the Tradition. Many Greek Orthodox churches throughout the United States and the world do this. Minor mode conveys a mystical and penitential quality that is so important to our Orthodox Christian phronema (mindset). Fr. Rick has encouraged this addition to the choir’s repertoire for many years. Recently, they accepted the challenge and are working hard to execute it better each and every Sunday. Please support them and seek to understand what minor mode is all about.

Summer 2019 Student Adventures. Prescience is a New York-based provider of Experiential Learning Premium Adventures in Greece for high school (grades 9-12) and college students. Four Adventures are offered between June 16 and July 28. Each two-week Adventure is designed as an exceptional learning experience with extended extracurricular and cultural activities, with Athens and the Aegean Islands serving as living and learning laboratories. For more information, visit www.prescienced.com.

Videos Updated: check our parish YouTube channel to see videos for 2018 Lenten lectures and Lenten retreat. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmLF0t0U6p0ZEBTuGwqFLoQ . Other videos include 75th Anniversary, Introduction to Orthodox Christianity, Holy Land pilgrimage, and previous lectures and retreats.

Sermons Updated: and posted on our website through Februay 3, 2019. More to come, including children’s sermons in 2018. http://stgeorgegoc.org/pastors-corner/fr-ricks-sermons/

Original Materials: must stay on church premises. It is a policy of our parish that no original material (paper, photos, electronic, etc.) is to leave the church. If someone wants or needs something, a copy will have to be made if one does not already exist. This applies to bookkeeping documents, archives and all church records.

Vespers Has Begun! Start off your Saturday evening on the right foot with Great Vespers service at 5pm. It has beautiful hymns about the Resurrection and the Saints of the day, petitions, prayers and readings but only takes 45 minutes to complete. It is an excellent preparation for Sunday Divine Liturgy.

Let Us Commit Ourselves and one Another: We cannot neglect the task of practical preparation to enhance our liturgical participation. Commitment to God and His family (the Church) requires advance planning and sacrifice. It behooves all of us to take seriously our Orthodox Christian Faith by participating the Sunday Divine Liturgy and weekday Lenten services. Let us commit ourselves and one another and our life to Christ our God!

Rise and Shine! Orthros is the sunrise service in the Orthodox Church but probably one of the most neglected. Every individual and family should make an effort to participate periodically. At least, plan to arrive at the beginning of Divine Liturgy. Like Vespers, Orthros has many profound hymns about Jesus' Resurrection and the Saints or Feast of the Day along with petitions, prayers and readings. Orthros begins Sunday morning 8:15am.

Welcome Visitors Thank you for joining with us in prayer and fellowship. The worship of the Orthodox Church is deeply rooted in and very similar to that of the early Christian Church. Unique sensory stimuli and mystery are elements that go back even to the liturgy of the Jewish temple. Everything in an Orthodox Christian church communicates the majestic presence of God the Holy Trinity with His Saints. It is literally heaven on earth. It is a sad consequence of the divisions in Christianity that we cannot extend a general invitation to receive Holy Communion. Visitors are invited to receive the blessed bread (antithoron) at the conclusion of the liturgy. We pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all Christians. If you are interested in learning more about Orthodoxy, please contact Fr. Rick at fatherrick@stgeorgegoc.org. We are proud of our Greek heritage, but one does not have to be of Greek descent, nor speak Greek to be a Greek Orthodox Christian.

Note to Orthodox about Holy Communion: Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is one of the most Holy experiences for a Christian in order to be granted the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. We are never worthy to partake of Divine Nature. Yet, it is essential that we prepare ourselves for this sacred Communion by constant prayer, reading the Scriptures, regular fasting and periodic Confession. At a minimum, we should fast all morning before Communion, arrive at the beginning of Liturgy, and come for Confession at least once a year. In addition, we should not have separated ourselves from the Church through serious sin. Otherwise, please refrain from Communion to avoid “judgment…not discerning the Lord’s body” (1Cor. 11:29). Contact Fr. Rick for pastoral guidance.

Glad Tidings deadline: The 10th of each month. Glad Tidings email: gladtidings@stgeorgegoc.org  Sunday Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday Noon each week.  Email: office@stgeorgegoc.org

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Bulletin Inserts

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