Parish Newsletter February 2010


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Parish Newsletter

February 2010 Lent 2010

TGIF? No, It’s Stations and Pizza

If it’s Friday night in Lent, there’s a chance to enjoy a healthy boost to your spiritual and temporal needs. The place to be is at Blessed Sacrament for Stations of the Cross, followed by pizza in the Duffy Parish Center. That’s where you’ll find your friends, fellow parishioners, and even a few visitors. The Stations of the Cross program begins after the 5:30 p.m. Mass. Pizza—that’s huge, delicious, slices—follows. Drinks, too! Some folks call it “Prayer and Pizza,” but you can call it whatever you want. Come see for yourself!

“The Light is on for You” is an invitation to all Catholics and friends to stop by the parish on Wednesdays during Lent (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession). This year the program will add a new dimension: adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament. This opportunity to reflect, to pray, and to reconcile with God keeps us aware of our spiritual journey and provides grace to overcome sin. Consider this a “must do” part of your Lenten strategy. NOTE: On Ash Wednesday, priests will be hearing confessions all day long: morning, afternoon, and night.

Inside This Issue Message From Father John . . . . . . . . . .

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Parish Lenten Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Focus on Volunteers —Joe Bozik . . . . . . 4 New Book by Susan Mitchell. . . . . . . . . .

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Faith in the Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Fighting Usury

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Communication Workshop

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LANDINGS Spring Session . . . . . . . . . . .

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Letter to BSS Alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SHARE Order Form For February . . . . . . 11 Men’s Retreat Weekend Artwork by Maria Lenderking Grade 6

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Women’s Retreat Weekend . . . . . . . . . . 13

Remember that Ash Wednesday, February 17, is a day of fast during which no meat should be eaten.

Message From Father John

Dear Friends, We are now about to enter one of my favorite seasons of the year. It might seem strange to think that Lent would be a time of joy and celebration. For me, the Liturgies are so focused, the prayer is so central, the opportunities to do good things for others are a constant theme, the chance for some self-sacrificing through small acts of penance and fasting are all a very important part of my own Lenten journey. I am always uplifted by the spirit of Lent at Blessed Sacrament. I am amazed by the number of people who attend daily Mass! I am uplifted by the many who make time to come to the Stations (followed by pizza on Friday evenings)! The confessions on Ash Wednesday are meaningful and heartwarming. So many people come with a real desire to improve their lives and grow closer to God, as they promise to do so over the next 40 days! The Parish Mission (February 21-25) is a reminder of the need to put God first in our lives! Holy Week (March 28-April 4) is a beautiful commemoration of the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection—all endured and experienced by Him just for us!

This year, we will not have a Lenten brochure with all of the activities listed for the entire Lenten season. Rather, we’re going to put out a weekly calendar, with the hope we will be more focused as a parish on what will be happening during that particular week of Lent. There will be a section for upcoming dates, but each week will have descriptions of the events that take place that week, so people can use the activities at Blessed Sacrament as tools for their own personal growth! Please join with me in celebrating a wonderful time of renewal through prayer, fasting and alms giving. Please help your families do the same. We look forward to seeing you at some of the activities offered during Lent, and for some of our parishioners, at most or all of them. This time of the Liturgical year is, for some, truly a time to grow closer to God and place themselves fully in His hands once again. My prayer for each of you is that your Lenten journey is special, and I ask the same for me through your own prayers. Father John

Artwork by Aiden 2

Back by Popular Demand

Just In Time By John Dluhy, M.D.

The Blessed Sacrament Parish Mission begins Monday, February 22, and ends Thursday, February 25. Father Tom McElroy, ss.cc., who conducted the Blessed Sacrament Mission two years ago, will preach at all the Masses during the weekend of February 20-21.

The Lord is generous with us. He gives us life; He

http://www.sscc.org/

The Mission will begin with the 8 a.m. Mass on February 22. Father McElroy’s presentation will follow the Mass and will be held daily from 8:30 9:30 a.m. and then again from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

gave us Jesus as a leader and companion; He has given of His substance in the Eucharist for more than 2000 years. He gives us inspiration, hope, comfort, and forgiveness. We shoul try to be generous, not only with out money, but also with that precious commodity, our time. Prayer is spending time with God; doing work for God is spending time with Him. Let us pray that we are more generous with our time in fellowship with Him.

Father Tom is presently the pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. He continues preaching ministry throughout the country and offers retreats at the Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Wareham, Massachusetts.

Photo by Clio Tavani

On these dreary winter days, the Fatima shrine in springtime gives us hope for new life. Next month's issue will feature the Blessed Sacrament gardens and provide information about how to get involved in the Garden Guild.

Contributions of articles/photos/ information for the monthly newsletter are welcome. Content for the next issue (March) is due by Thursday, February 25. Please send your contributions to: [email protected]. Artwork by Ethan Carven Grade 5 February 2010

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Focus On Volunteers Corinthians 12:4-7 “ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one.”

Parishioner Joe Bozik regards volunteering as a learning experience. Joe reflected, “You grow personally; you learn more about your hidden talents, and you can apply those talents and feel valuable to others.” Joe added, “You don’t need lots of expertise if you are willing to learn, you can get involved in something you did not formerly know Joe Bozik indicating location of the azaleas for sale.

anything about.” He speaks from personal experience, involving himself in a number of volunteer activities both in the parish and the community. Joe was born in upstate New York, grew up on a Ghent, NY dairy farm bought by his immigrant grandparents, and graduated as an engineer from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He worked for the NY Department of Transportation, earned an MSCE from Union College, married, and moved to Washington to work for the government. He spent more than thirty years as an engineer, working for the Departments of the Navy, the Coast Guard and Energy. Currently retired, Joe continues his parish service begun years ago as co-chair of the Bell Tower Committee. Meeting twice monthly at 8 a.m. on Saturday mornings, he and others work as a team to keep the parish chimes, installed in 1935 and now in their 75th year, in working order. Each quarter hour the tubular chimes play a few notes from Holy God We Praise Thy Name. With special programming, on special occasions such as the recent celebration of the Martin Luther King holiday, a change ringing or the playing of a hymn occurs. In addition to their on-site work, the committee makes field trips to observe the chimes’ systems of other churches that have chimes made by the Deagan Company, the creator of the Blessed Sacrament chimes. 4

Another retirement project has led Joe to return to his boyhood agricultural roots, serving on the Blessed Sacrament Garden Guild. This informal group is involved in a number of mini-projects beautifying the grounds of the parish complex. Last summer they began a community garden at the rectory, growing vegetables that were distributed to groups such as Martha’s Table. This summer the Guild plans to expand this project, and Joe is looking for a few students needing Confirmation service hours to consider volunteering. (7th and 8th grade students note!) Creative activity is embedded in Joe’s action plan. Last summer Joe developed an idea of using bricks remaining from the Field of Dreams project to build a patio entrance at the rectory; he is working with others to improve an area around the school with a wrought iron fence and a lavender garden. Extending his time and talents into the community, Joe volunteers two days a week, yearround in the gardens and greenhouse at the Franciscan Monastery where he is treasurer of the Garden Guild. This group assists the Monastery in preserving its gardens. Joe adds that, “Working among nature is in keeping with St. Francis' tradition that God is revealed to us through His Creation." Note of Joe’s work as an apiarist (beekeeper) spread globally recently when news of his urban beekeeping at the Franciscan Monastery was broadcast on the Voice of America (See http:// www1.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2009-06-26-voa2968788997.html). Urban beekeeping is an important

element for the survival of honeybees, and honey created from urban plants, trees and flowers is a uniquely sweet, local honey. Because bees play an integral part in pollinating fruits and vegetables, there is concern that declining populations could affect food production. Joe would like to see more people take up the hobby. Whether he is keeping the chimes in working order, tilling the earth, ministering to bees, or keeping financial records for the Monastery Garden Guild, Joe proves that it’s possible to use and extend one’s talents for the good of others. His role-modeling starts at home; his daughter, Olivia, is currently studying engineering at Purdue University.

Through the Valley-Valley--from --from Death into Life By Susan C. Mitchell

When my father was dying ten years ago, a friend and mentor, Father Dominic Monti, OFM, told me that while before I had known the theology of Holy Week, now I knew its reality. As we begin another Lent, it is a good time to think of the Stations of the Cross as taking place in our own lives as we journey with those at the end of life. I have recently published a book, Through the Valley: The Way of the Cross for the End of Life (Veritas Press: ISBN # 978-1-84730-174-1) and I will be reading from it at noon on Sunday, February 28, and signing copies from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. This book came out of my experiences as a board-certified Catholic Chaplain, now with Holy Cross Hospice and Home Care. Many people are not sure who a chaplain is, and what a chaplain does, especially a lay chaplain. Some of you may remember me as coordinator of religious education for junior and senior high school from 1995-1998. I left to pursue a masters degree in Pastoral Studies from the Washington Theological Union which I received in 2000 and then went on to do Clinical Pastoral Education at Asbury Methodist Village. In order to be certified as a professional chaplain, it is necessary to receive this training, which is interfaith in nature. I went through the process set out by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, and in 2002 became board-certified. In official church parlance, I am considered a Lay Ecclesial Minister working in health chaplaincy. In practice, I am Chaplain Susan. In this role, I have worked both at Holy Cross Hospital and Montgomery Hospice, and am currently at Holy Cross Hospice and Home Care. I have been privileged to accompany many people and their families during their final months and hours. When a person is admitted into hospice, spiritual care is an integral part of the services offered. I work with a team of nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors, and home health aides. Everyone is offered the spiritual care which is most appropriate for their needs. Many of my patients are not Catholic, and some have no religious affiliation at all. February 2010

I go into people’s homes and health care facilities and listen to them, pray with them, sing with them, and be with them when they need me. I am blessed to be able to learn about their lives, with all their joys and sorrows, and to provide a safe compassionate presence. I facilitate family dialogues on care and on saying goodbye. I also organize and preside at Memorial Services (Catholic, interfaith and spiritual-but-not-religious) at funeral homes and churches, and I have performed many graveside services as well. I love what I do. As a former chaplain at Casey House, while with Montgomery Hospice, I began to write personalized stations of the cross for a few of the patients and families. From that, came the impetus to connect the universal experience of dying with the path that Jesus walked. My book flowed from there. I talk about Jesus in the Garden, for example, in the context of being told that our loved one has a terminal illness and I connect the loss of a child to Jesus speaking to the women of Jerusalem. The book is also intended as liturgical service and I will be leading noon prayer at the Washington Theological Union on Thursday, February 25, using some of the stations in it. It is my hope that my book will help those who are struggling with terminal illness, either their own, or that of a loved one, to realize that they are not alone, that they are on the path that Jesus walked, and that they do not need to be afraid.

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Faith in the Marketplace

Fighting Usury with the “10% is Enough” Campaign

By Dean A. Packard CIMA®, CFP®, CSNA By Margaret Ahmann

Faith in the Marketplace meets the first Friday of each month (unless that happens to be before Labor Day, or during the Christmas or Easter holidays—in which case we meet the second Monday) from September through June to coincide with the school year. We gather at Mass at 6:30 a.m. and adjourn to the Duffy Parish Center main conference room for networking over Spring Mill muffins (thanks to the Rurka family) and coffee. The discussion begins at 7:10 a.m. and ends at 7:45 a.m. sharp. Folks typically continue with the visiting until around 8 a.m., but many leave after the discussion concludes. If you would like to join us, contact me at [email protected].

Artwork by Paul Ahie Grade 7

Appreciation to our Wonderful Student Artists

The artwork of Judy Kearns’ students at Blessed Sacrament School enlivens this newsletter. We are very grateful to our “artists-in-residence” for their generous contributions to our community of communication.

Usury?

Does this sound like a term dredged up from the Middle Ages? Unfortunately usury is a practice all too common in the 21st century. Simply put, it is the practice of overcharging borrowers. From earliest times in human history both religious and civic codes restricted excessive rates of return on lending. Excessive rates of interest were illegal in the United States from the time of the Founding Fathers until the process of overturning usury law in the United States, initiated in1978, achieved total deregulation by 1980. Lacking legal restraint, lenders have been enabled to engage in predatory lending practices. Lacking consumer protection, borrowers risk being trapped in a bog of perpetual indebtedness. Some modern forms of usury are payday loans charging annualized rates of over 300%, adjustable-rate mortgages with interest rates ballooning up to 14%, credit card rates as high as 30% without reason or notification, and add-on fees for both good behavior and bad. Obviously this situation is most onerous for the poor and low wage earners, those who have lost their jobs, those overwhelmed by medical expense and those lacking adequate financial literacy. As Pope Benedict insists in Caritas In Veritate (65): “The weakest members of society should be helped to defend themselves against usury…in order to discourage the exploitation that is possible in (this) area.” The effects of usury on ordinary citizens sparked the “10% is Enough” anti-usury campaign organized by The Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) and its sister organizations in the Metro Areas Industrial Foundation. Metro/IAF is a network of 18 citizens’ organizations throughout the East Coast, Midwest and Europe. It is a regional affiliate of the national Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) created by Saul Alinsky in 1940. In the fall of 2008 leaders and organizers of Metro/IAF decided to take aim at the looming economic crisis from the viewpoint of ordinary citizens. Key questions included: What are the worst problems facing people in this economic

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crisis? What specific problem could WIN and it sister organizations hope to alleviate through advocacy and action? Thus began a series of Metro/IAF “listening sessions” in homes, church basements, and meeting halls. 18 Metro/IAF organizations across the East Coast, Midwest and in London conducted 1,500 sessions with thousands of citizens. Blessed Sacrament hosted six such sessions in March, 2009. These sessions were intense, personal and passionate. The problems we listed as most serious and/or frequent in our families and associates were job loss, loss of health insurance, credit card debt, loss of life savings, loss of homes and the need for reliable information on where to get help. In response to the last problem our team developed the Blessed Sacrament WIN Economic Crisis Guide. This is now on the parish web site.

Members of Blessed Sacrament WIN will be back in action early in February. WIN/IAF leaders will be giving testimony at a hearing to be scheduled by Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY28), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules who is introducing legislation on the capping of credit card interest rates. We will be present in our “10% is Enough!” tee shirts once again to witness to our commitment to protect citizens from usurious practices.

The next step was to take our list of the top five problems to share with other teams at a citywide WIN (Washington Interfaith Network) meeting. The review of reports of listening sessions from all 18 Metro/IAF organizations followed. In the end the specific problem chosen was usury, the practice of overcharging borrowers. The campaign going forward focused on seeking action by banks and legislators to cap interest rates at 10% because “10% is enough!” The Blessed Sacrament WIN team was back in action on July 22, 2009. Six of us joined over 100 other leaders from the Washington metropolitan area and Baltimore who broke into teams to visit five branch offices of national banks. Walking to the banks in our red, white and blue “10% is Enough! Stop Usury!” tee shirts carrying banners, our groups caught the eye of passersby and the media. Inside the banks we were models of decorum. We stayed at each bank until the manager called or faxed the CEO of the bank insisting on a meeting with our leaders to discuss our demand that all interest rates, including rates on credit cards, be capped at 10%. In every case either the calls were made or faxes were sent. Similar action was taking place that day in Chicago, Boston, New York, Durham and London, adding power to the action and increased media coverage. Metro/IAF leaders have since met with financial officials in our various jurisdictions, with bank officials, and members of Congress with a number of significant successes. February 2010

Artwork by Katy Maclennan Grade 2

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Lenten Communication Workshop For Couples By Ann Hoffman

Married couples and engaged couples, how about taking advantage of this Lenten season by considering doing something positive and enriching for your Sacrament of Matrimony? How many times have we heard that communication is key to a good relationship? However, have we ever been given a specific and practical way to learn and improve our communication skills? Well, this Lent, Blessed Sacrament is offering an opportunity for married and engaged couples to learn a technique of communication called ACTIVE LISTENING which focuses on listening attentively and speaking clearly and honestly. Couples will receive general instructions and will then be paired with a trained facilitator in order to practice what is being taught. You will learn to: ♥

Understand your spouse better;



Make decisions as a couple;



Help resolve differences and solve problems together.

This is what one couple from our parish had to say: “How refreshing it is to renew and deepen our love for each other after 42 years of marriage. This method works”. Bob & Margaret Haggerty ******** The workshop will be held in the Lower Level of the Duffy Parish Center on four Tuesdays in March (March 2, 9, 16 and 23) from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Please note the following: ∗ Each session builds on the earlier sessions; ∗ This is not for couples who are experiencing serious difficulties in their relationship; ∗ We can only accommodate as many couples as we have facilitators. It is therefore on a first comefirst served basis. The workshop will be led by parishioners Jim & Ann Hoffman, married 47 years. The Hoffmans have been involved in couple ministry since 1976 through marriage preparation, Marriage Encounter, couples retreats and lectures. They chaired the Blessed Sacrament Marriage and Family Life committee for eight years and were very active with the Archdiocesan Family Life Office for over 10 years. For more information, contact Jim & Ann at 202-362-4510 or 202-486-8291 or at [email protected]. Register by February 24: Send $25 check payable to “Blessed Sacrament” to Jim & Ann Hoffman, 6421 31st Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20015, along with the registration information below.

First name_______________________________ Last name_______________________________ _______________________________________ Cell#

_______________________________

_______________________________ E-mail __________________________________

________________________________________

__________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________ Home Tel # _____________________________________

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LANDINGS — Welcoming Returning Catholics

AN INVITATION Are you someone who describes themselves saying “I used to be a Catholic” or “I grew up Catholic”? Are you a Catholic who is searching for a more spiritually fulfilling life? Are you thinking about becoming more active in your Catholic community? Would you like to participate more fully in the Catholic liturgy and sacraments?

No matter how long you have been away for whatever reason, we invite you to consider renewing your relationship with Christ and His Church through LANDINGS. LANDINGS is a Paulist Ministry, run by Blessed Sacrament parishioners, aimed at welcoming Catholics who want to deepen their faith and commitment.

LANDINGS is: • • • • •

A small group of Catholics walking together toward understanding and healing. An open, nonjudgmental place to ask questions about Christ and the Catholic faith. A community where you will be respected and listened to. Led by fellow parishioners who have also journeyed in their Catholic faith. Guided by the Holy Spirit.

LANDINGS is not: • • • •

Pressure Judgment Condemnation Blind to hurt

Spring Session (8-weeks) begins Thursday, February 25, 2010 Pre-registration is required Sessions are held at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament www.blessedsacramentdc.org Interested In Learning More? Contact Karen Vittone at (301) 585-0592 or [email protected]

February 2010

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Take a Trip Down Memory Lane & Support Your Old School!

Dear BSS Alumni: Please join us for the Blessed Sacrament School’s Annual FUNdraiser on Saturday, March 6, 2010 to benefit the Blessed Sacrament Home & School Association (HSA). Held in the school gymnasium, the sports-themed, action-packed evening will include a silent and live auction, catering by Ridgewells, premium open bar, games and door prizes. You’ll have the opportunity to tour the school and reminisce as you walk the halls and visit the classrooms of your youth. In these tough economic times, HSA has received more requests than ever for tuition assistance and our 88 year old school is in need of technological upgrades. With your help, we can make the HSA benefit a financial success for our school’s future. We have been blessed over the years with generous donations and invaluable resources provided by our alumni, church parishioners and school parents who want the school to continue to thrive and provide an outstanding education and spiritual guidance to a new generation of BSS students. In addition to spreading the word among your old BSS friends and joining us for the evening, there are other ways you can help us succeed. You or your company may purchase an ad in our catalog and school directory or consider a sponsorship. Donate an auction item or simply call a friend with connections to one-of-a-kind items on our behalf. Our church parish is 3,200 families strong and school enrollment is at 510 students. We have a desirable demographic and loyal community that many companies and organizations would like to reach in this way. The success of the BSS benefit depends on all of us as a community. Contact the persons below for more information on ways in which you may help. Ad/Sponsorships Co-Chairs: Ellen McKenney, [email protected] or 202-280-3203 Duffy Knoll, [email protected] or 202-276-8580 Donations Chair: Elena MacCartee, [email protected] or 202-882-2132 Volunteer Chair: Lisa O’Neil, [email protected] or 202-966-8201 Thank you for your support and we hope to see you on March 6th! Sincerely, Katy Anderson Renee Kannapell Jen Rowan BSPN Zone Benefit Co-Chairs

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[email protected] or 240-423-0536 [email protected] or 240-426-3100 [email protected] or 301-928-9751

SHARE Blessed Sacrament Parish Food CoCo-op February 2010 Order Form Value Package — $20 • • • • • • • • • •

Chicken Leg Quarters 3.7 lbs. Pollock Fillets 1 lb. Ground Beef 1 lb. Popcorn Shrimp 0.50 lb. Smoked Honey Ham Deli Meat 0.75 lb. Lemon Cake Mix (2) 1.25 lbs. Quick Oats 1.25 lbs. Potatoes 3 lbs. Onions 1.5 lbs. Plus 4-5 other fruit, vegetable and grocery items

NEW: Supper Time Meals Package — $20 additional • • • • • • •

Lasagna with Meat Sauce Grilled Chicken Breast Alfredo Beef Strips with Mashed Potatoes Beef Ravioli Chicken Parmesan with Penne Pasta Manicotti with Marinara Sauce Turkey a la King with Rice

All seven meals are in the Supper Time Package; 16 oz. each, ideal for two people!

Order Form Submission Deadline: February 15 @ 5 p.m. (Note: Orders placed after the 5 p.m. deadline may not be filled.) Please order ____ SHARE Food Package(s) for me @ $20 each = $______ Please order ____ SHARE Supper Time Meals Package for me @ $20 each = $______ Total SHARE Food Package(s) and Supper Time Meals Package(s) = $ ____________

□ I wish to donate____ SHARE Food Package(s) to the Blessed Sacrament Food Bank (Donated packages do not have to be picked up; they will be distributed by volunteers.) Name: ____________________________________

Telephone: ___________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________ E-mail address:______________________________ Pick up between 3 & 5 p.m. Friday afternoon, February 26, at the Duffy Parish Center, upper level, off the parking lot. Orders not picked up will be distributed to others. No refunds. Payment Method (please circle one): Cash, Money Order or Check payable to Blessed Sacrament. Mail order form and check or money order to: SHARE at Blessed Sacrament, 3630 Quesada Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20015. For more information, leave a message in the Blessed Sacrament SHARE Voice Mailbox (202.449.4611) or send an e-mail to [email protected]. February 2010

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February 2010

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