Bridgeside Bulletin
The weekly Bulletin of the
Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry
Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church
33 Lake Street, Forster
St Mary, Star of the Sea Church
Cnr Kent & Peel Streets, Tuncurry
Proclaiming Christ to the communities of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts
Sunday 15th February, 2015
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Parish
Fr Andrew Doohan (Parish Priest)
Mr Greg Byrne (Pastoral Associate)
Mrs Sharon Fowle (Administration Associate/Bulletin)
Sr Kathryn McCabe (Aboriginal Catholic Ministry)
The Parish Office is at the rear of the Parish Hall and is
normally staffed on Monday, Thursday and Friday
from 10am to 4pm.
Items for inclusion in Bridgeside Bulletin should be
received by midday on Thursday.
33 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428
PO Box 67, Forster NSW 2428
P:
F:
E:
W:
(02) 6554 6304
(02) 6554 6425
[email protected]www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au
Search for us on Facebook as Catholic Parish of
Forster Tuncurry
Follow us on Twitter: @ftcatholic
Celebrating the Sacraments
Reconciliation is available on Saturday mornings at
Tuncurry from 8:30am until the beginning of the 9am
Mass, on Saturday afternoons at Forster from 4:45pm
until 5:15pm.
Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, either during any
of our Sunday Masses or after the 9am Mass. The next
Baptismal Preparation meeting will take place in the
Parish Halls meeting rooms on Monday 9th March
2015 commencing at 7pm. Please contact the Parish
Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.
Weddings are celebrated by arrangement and with at
least three (and preferably more) months notice.
Please contact Fr Andrew for more details, or visit the
Parish website.
A Sacramental Preparation process runs each year in
the Parish for children wishing to complete the
celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation as part of
the Parish community. Please contact the Parish Office
for more details, or visit the Parish website.
The Parish hosts the Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults process for those adults wishing to be baptised
or be received into the communion of the Catholic
Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more
details, or visit the Parish website.
Holy Name Parish School (K-6)
St Clares High School, Taree (7-12)
Mr Chris Waters (Principal)
Mr Peter Nicholls (Principal)
41 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428
PO Box 243, Forster NSW 2428
Davis Street, Taree NSW 2430
P:
F:
E:
W:
P: (02) 6552 3300
F: (02) 6552 3656
E:
[email protected]W: www.tareesc.catholic.edu.au
(02) 6554 6504
(02) 6554 8895
[email protected]www.forster.catholic.edu.au
The Parish Diary(for the week ahead)
Regular Activities in the Parish
Sixth Week of Ordinary Time; Season of Lent begins on
Wednesday.
Christian Meditation
Our Parish hosts opportunities for the practice of
Christian meditation on Tuesdays at two distinct
times, 9am and 5:30pm. Phone Bob on 6555 5914 for
further information.
Monday16th February
Tuesday17th February
9am
Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914)
3:30pm Holy Hour @ Tuncurry
4:30pm Mass @ Tuncurry
5:30pm Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914)
5:30pm Singing Practice @ Tuncurry
5:30pm Pancake Tuesday @ Holy Name School
Womens Bible Study Group
Our Parish hosts a Womens Bible Study Group that
meets every Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm. For
more information contact Natasha on 0407 589 935.
Holy Hour
The Parish community observes a Holy Hour each
Tuesday afternoon in the Tuncurry Church from
3:30pm until the beginning of Mass at 4:30pm.
Wednesday18th February
Ash Wednesday
9am
Mass @ Forster
11:15am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @
Forster
12:30pm Liturgy of the Word @ Holy Name School
5:30pm Parish Pastoral Council @ Forster
7pm
Mass @ Tuncurry
Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
The Novena is prayed every Wednesday in the Forster
church commencing at 11:15am and is followed by a
cuppa in the Parish Hall. For more information contact
Shioney on 6554 9468.
Thursday19th February
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
9am
Morning Prayer @ Forster
7pm
Womens Bible Study Group (Natasha
0407 589 935)
Singing Practice
Singing group will meet at Tuncurry Church on
Tuesday 17th February at 5:30pm.
The menALIVE Group
Our Parish currently hosts 2 menALIVE groups. The
daytime group will next meet on Wednesday 25th
February after the 9am Mass and the evening group
meets on the last Thursday of each month at 7.30pm.
Friday20th February
Friday after Ash Wednesday
9:30am Mass @ Forster
Saturday21st February
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
8:30am Reconciliation @ Tuncurry
9am
Mass @ Tuncurry
4:45pm Reconciliation @ Forster (until 5:15pm)
6pm
Mass @ Tuncurry
Secular Franciscan Fraternity
The Secular Franciscans Fraternity will next meet on
Wednesday 4th March 2015, coming together for
Mass at 9am, followed by a cuppa at 9:30am and then
the meeting 10am to 12pm.
Maintenance & Gardening Group
The Parish is served by a very dedicated band of
volunteers who tend to the upkeep of the grounds
and gardens of our two sites. Their next reunion will
be on Thursday 19th February. Contact Howard 6557
6826 for more information.
Sunday22nd February
First Sunday of Lent
7am
Mass @ Tuncurry
9am
Mass @ Forster
Meeting on the Synod of the Family
Evening Prayer & Benediction
The Parish community celebrates on the first Sunday
of each month at 5:30pm in the Tuncurry church. It
will celebrated this evening, Sunday 1st March 2015.
All welcome.
There were 13 in attendance for the meeting on the
Synod on the Family last Wednesday night. It was a
wonderful opportunity for parishioners to have their
say on how we engage with families in the parish and
consider avenues where we might assist them in their
relationship with God. Topics included; what defines
family, best supportive practises for unwed, separated
and divorced couples, engaging with issues on
homosexuality plus church law versus Gods
expectations.
The information will be collated and provided to the
Dioceses for further review before being sent to Rome
Childrens Liturgy of the Word
The next Liturgy of the Word for children aged 4-12
will be on Sunday 1st March 2015 at the 9am Mass. A
morning tea will follow Mass.
Collection of Foodstuffs for Homebase
The next collection of foodstuffs in support of
Homebase is Sunday 1st March 2015.
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From the Pastors Desk
Being at One with God
As I write this I am sitting in a caf in Melbourne,
drinking a coffee, and reflecting on the contents of the
two keynote lectures at the God is in the Detail:
Making Architecture and Art for Catholic Worship
symposium.
Prayer may well be described as the state of
obediential love. The state wherein we are wholly at
Gods disposition - not desiring, not planning; simply
placing ourselves within the fullness of His gift of life,
the fullness of His gift of our own unique
creation. Each one of us is created for a unique
destiny, a unique fulfillment in God, and our only task
in life is to be wholly open to that destiny. In other
words, our task is to live out of the divine energy, to
live within the divine plan, and to play our part in it
fully and generously. Prayer has very little to do with
asking for this or that. Prayer is something much
more simple. It is being at one with God.
The reason for the symposium, at least primarily, is
the launch of a set of guidelines from the Australian
Catholic Bishops to be considered when building or
renovating (the buzzword is re-ordering) a church
building.
The keynote speakers were talking about the design
and construction of the Cathedral of Christ the Light in
Oakland, California. The Cathedral is a truly inspiring
design, contemporary yet in keeping with the long
tradition of cathedral churches. For those with access
to the internet, I would thoroughly recommend you
taking a look at some of the photos.
Stillness is the way to rootedness and it focuses the
challenge that faces all of us - to be rooted in our true
self. To put it another way, it is the challenge to be
wholly open to the gift of our own creation. Stillness
helps us to be rooted in the gift that God has given us
in our own being, which we learn by being still in the
one place. Coming in to our own selfhood is coming
into God. What you will discover in your meditation is
the reciprocal harmony that we have with
God. Becoming rooted in ourselves, we become
rooted in our own proper place in creation, and, as a
result, rooted in our Creator. St Paul constantly
reminds us that the challenge and the task of life is to
become rooted in Christ who dwells in our hearts. This
is why we have to become rooted in our own
hearts. Outward silence and stillness are effective
signs of the inner stillness and silence of inner
rootedness.
As part of the presentations, the Provost of the
Cathedral (the priest in charge) during the time of
construction relating a conversation with a member of
the design team. The Provost was commenting that
the interior of the cathedral looked very plain, and he
thought it needed some colour somewhere to make it
more welcoming and warm.
The response of the design team member was
disarming: But the people provide the colour. Its a
startling response to be sure, and at first glance might
seem to be flippant and dismissive.
But when you think about it that statement is most
definitely true.
Fr John Main OSB
A church building, regardless of how pretty (or
otherwise) it is, is pointless without the living stones
of the Body of Christthe Churchproviding the
colour that animates that building, and welcomes
others to it. It is the community of faith that makes a
building a church, that provides the colourof faith,
of charity, of hope, of justicethat paints an
unadorned building and turns it into a place for the
worship of God.
Then the Intercessory Prayer Apostolate is just for
you!!!
Of course such a line of thought begs the question:
what kind of colour do we bring to the building in
which we gather each and every Sunday? Are we part
of transforming this building into a warm and
welcoming place of worship, or do we persist in drab
blacks and greys?
Members of this group simply receive a list of people
to pray for at home each month. There is nothing
more to do. No money to pay no meetings to
attend. Just pray in your own home in your own time
for those on the list. And of course, you can always
add your own private list.
It is, I think, a question worth thinking about...
If you would like to participate and pray for others,
and so play an active role in your parish, simply give
Bob Cashman a ring on 6555 5914 or 0418 207 981, or
leave your name and phone number with the Parish
Office.
ARE YOU HOUSE-BOUND?
CANT GET TO MASS?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AN ACTIVE
PARTICIPANT IN YOUR PARISH?
Until next week
Fr Andrew
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Exploring Becoming a Catholic
Ladies High Tea Fundraiser
Maybe you have friends or family who:
have wondered about becoming a Catholic;
are engaged or married to a Catholic and have
Catholic children;
are searching for answers to the big questions
about life and death;
are looking for a Christian community to which
they feel they could really belong;
are maybe just interested.
The ladies of Forster-Tuncurry Catholic Parish invite
you to a Ladies High Tea Fundraiser to be held at the
Forster Parish Hall on Saturday 14th March at
10:00am. Its a gorgeous way for us ladies to get
together AND raise funds for the Missionary Sisters of
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart who are trying to build
homes for AIDs orphans in Tzaneen, South Africa.
Humanitarian Projects International (HPI) is partnering
with the Sisters to raise these funds. So get together
with your mums, daughters, aunties and friends and
join us for some beautiful food and delightful
company. Tickets are $15 and are available at the
Forster Parish Office or call Judy on 0448 660 858.
Bookings are essential. RSVP by Sunday 8th March.
An Enquiry night for anyone wishing to learn more
about the Catholic Faith through the Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults process will be held on Wednesday
25th February in the Parish Meeting Room (located at
the rear of the Parish Hall in Forster) at 7pm.
Please extend an invitation (and give a brochure) to a
friend or family member who may be interested.
Brochures explaining the Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults are on the table at the back of the churches.
For more information contact Anne Moloney 6555
8918.
Ladies High Tea-Fundraiser
Sat 14th March 10am
Catholic Parish Hall 33 Lake St, Forster
Youre invited to Family Group
There is a Family Group in our parish which has
operated for about 24 years. It consists of
approximately 30 individuals and families. Its purpose
is friendship and fellowship.
The Family Group gets together each month for an
activity such as picnics, movies, coffee, luncheons, etc.
at local venues.
We would like to invite any person or family,
particularly new parishioners to join us at Tuncurry
Rock Pool at 5pm on Saturday 21st March. Buy your
fish and chips on the way; bring some easy chairs or a
picnic blanket and relax as the sun sets over the
water.
Tickets $15
Lucky door prize, Raffle, African stall &
Silent Auction
Enquires: Forster Judy 0448660858
Taree / Old Bar Linda 0408077089
We would be most grateful to receive vouchers or
items which can be donated for the silent auction.
Please provide to parish office or phone Judy to
arrange collection. Thank you!
The gathering may give us an opportunity to discuss
whether young families and individuals would like to
meet regularly and engage in more active pursuits.
For further information please contact Terry and Carol
Pearson on 6559 2550 / 0408 768 729 or the Parish
office.
Ladies Prayer Group
Ladies Prayer
Group
Pictured across
If you would like to
join us in opening
up the Gospel for
greater meaning
then please call
Natasha on 0407
589 935.
Ladies prayer group meet every Thursday at 7pm in
Forster. It has provided the group with an opportunity
to look at various passages from the bible and discuss
how they pertain to our lives. We often find that each
member has a different experience but inevitably we
all find meaning. We are thoroughly enjoying forming
bonds and having a good laugh each week we meet.
4
Pancake Tuesday Celebrating 30 years
Lenten Program - Arise
As is our Parish custom we will celebrate Pancake
Tuesday on Tuesday 17th February from 5:30pm in
the grounds of Holy
Name School. Pancakes,
fun and games, and
entertainment
are
promised! Being the
You are invited to join a Lenten Reflection Group in
our Parish to pray, share our faith and socialise with
other parishioners.
By unpacking the Sunday Gospels during Lent, Sr.
Moya Hanlen has written 6 beautiful Gospel
reflections that invite us to deepen our understanding
of Jesus love for us unto death and to grasp anew the
hope his resurrection brings us. We are challenged to
arise from our complacency, grasp his outstretched
hand and accompany Jesus on his journey through
passion, through death and Resurrection.
30th
30th year celebration we
will include a special
treat on the day.
A list of groups are on the notice boards in the
churches next week. You may join an existing group or
even host one of your own. More information is
available from the Parish office.
Anniversary
Lenten Reflections
Come along and join
members of the Parish and School communities to
celebrate before we enter into the Season of Lent.
Travel through Lent with a Little Black Book. Find six
minutes of quite time for the next 50 days (15th Feb
to 5th April) to work through the book one page at a
time. Cost $5 each at rear of Churches.
Reflection by Dianne Bergant CSS
We know that we will all have to face some kind of
suffering, and so we try to prepare ourselves for it. Yet
when it comes, as prepared as we try to be, it can
overtake us with such fury that we fall back
defenceless. We look to others for support and
assistance, and if we are fortunate, we find it.
However, even in the most supportive of
communities, suffering tends to alienate us from
those who are healthy and secure. Suffering reminds
us of our own finitude and the contingent nature of all
of life. It threatens our sense of order.
Jesus is not deterred by human suffering. He
welcomes all who approach him; his healing touch
reincorporates those who have been ostracised; his
loving embrace reassociates those who have been
alienated. In the reign of God, there are no outsiders.
All belong to Jesus, and, therefore, all belong to each
other. When the one afflicted is embraced by the
community, the community is an authentic
manifestation of the inclusive reign of God.
In suffering we witness human vulnerability and our
desperate need of each other and of God. There, at
the edge of life and on the fringes of the community,
we may experience the tenderness and compassion of
God. The loving touch of Christ that can heal our
souls, if not our bodies. It is there that we may most
authentically participate in the cross of Christ. Joined
to him we are anything but unproductive or
worthless.
World Day of Prayer
Friday 6th March, 2015.
This year the annual world day of prayer will be
hosted by the Baptist Church in Forster.
The ceremony will begin at 2pm when representatives
from all churches in town will unite to pray for our
world.
The focus nation this year is The Bahamas. All
parishioners are encourage to attend this wonderful
ecumenical event.
Ignite Praise & Worship
We invite all young people and their families to ignite
their faith, inspiring a deeper understanding of being
in relationship with God by attending an Ignite
Praise and Worship evening. The event will take place
on Sunday 22nd March at 5.30pm at the Catholic
Church in Forster and will feature a young, local
Christian rock band. Under 12s must be accompanied
by an adult. The event will be followed by a BBQ. For
more information contact Sharon at the parish office
on 6554 6304/0407 006 666.
Aurora
This months Aurora includes articles on building
resilience in childs play, Bishop Bill on the Church and
the Newcastle Herald and Sr Louise Gannons beliefs
on the value of attending Mass. Copies can be found
at the rear of the church.
Dianne Bergant CSS
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Kids Corner
Jesus has the power to heal
W R R M H V N B E G G E D C A
K E S N M V S M L Y I T G T P
F W M O M O L K
P Q Y S J J R
U D A O E V E R Y W H E R E I
X W H A N D H P H Y K
K J E
F G Z J I M K M T H Q P N M S
S C Z D I S A P
C T E L
L R C S R
E A R E C T
L
K E D L
B L D V Y N G O Z X D B L E O
L
R O S Y R Z T O W N S Y
T U O Z B W S R L
S X T I
E K
F T R N T Q
I Y G I
F T J N X
X C Y X K T D B Z F V E K R W
E J T Z P
E K X O I Y Q V O D
R T N V T I
E S T E M P
L E N
Try to find these words:
Begged
disappear
everywhere
gift
hand
kneel
leprosy
priest
sorry
tell
temple
towns
Mk 1:40-45
Opportunities Outside The Parish
around the harbour foreshore to Light up Newcastle.
Proceeds go to the Mission to Seafarers. Visit
www.lightupnewcastle.com.au for more information.
A wonderful, unique night out for families.
Christian Meditation
Introduction to Christian Meditation will be held on
Tuesday 17th February beginning at 10:00am at
Pastoral Centre, Victoria Street, New Lambton. Lent is
a good time to reassess our spiritual journey. Learning
to meditate can be of great benefit to our spiritual
lives. This program provides an opportunity for those
interested in finding out about Christian Meditation to
experience and practise in a small group, to learn
about its origins and to discover its relevance as a
form of prayer in the contemporary world. Tuesday
mornings 10am-11am, February 17, 24, March 3, 10.
For more information contact Anne Cuskelly. E
[email protected] or P 0407 436 808.
Blind Faith
Youth Street Live with special guest speaker Derek
Rabelo will be held on Saturday 21st February
beginning at 6:00pm at 28 Hanbury Street, Mayfield.
Derek is a blind Christian surfer from Brazil and will be
coming to share his inspiring, true story with us of
how he learnt to surf Pipeline blind. This is a free, all
ages, family event. Seats are limited so please RSVP to
Elley Clements P 02 49 600 777 or M 0433 142 902.
Rite of Election of Catechumens
Rite of Election of Catechumens will be held on
Sunday 22nd February at 2:30pm at Sacred Heart
Cathedral. Rite of Election of Catechumens and
Presentation of Candidates for Full Communion at the
Cathedral Hamilton. Afternoon tea will be served
afterwards.
Project Compassion Launch
Project Compassion Launch will be held on Tuesday
17th February beginning at 10:00am at St Pius X High
School, Adamstown. Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
Project Compassion 2015 launch for parishes, schools,
CatholicCare, religious & Catholic organisations.
Refreshments served post-launch. RSVP Brooke
Robinson 4979 1111 or
[email protected]Praise and Worship Event
Spirit & Truth - Praise and Worship Event will be held
on Friday 27th February beginning at 6:00pm at St
Pius X High School, Adamstown. For more info please
contact Andrew on 0410 686 474 or Baden on 0423
663 985. All ages event, special guest speaker Fr Rob
Galea. See story in February Aurora.
Annual Catechist Mass
Annual Catechist Mass will be held on Friday 20th
February beginning at 7:00pm at Sacred Heart
Cathedral, 841 Hunter Street, Newcastle West.
Celebrated by Bishop Bill, this Mass is a great
opportunity for priests, parishioners, families and
friends to celebrate the ministry of Special Religious
Education, Sacramental and Children's Liturgy. Awards
will be presented to those who have served as
Catechists for over 10 years and to those who have
completed training programs. Supper will follow in the
Davis Courtyard.
Start the New Year off with a bang!
Spend a weekend with your spouse at a Worldwide
Marriage Encounter Weekend. The peaceful setting of
this weekend enrichment is a great way to rekindle
the romance in your marriage. Weekend date: 6th to
8th March at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville,
NSW. To apply contact Ardell & Bill Sharpe on 02 4283
3435 or
[email protected],
www.wwme.org.au.
Prayer Vigil for Asylum Seekers
Prayer Vigil for Asylum Seekers will be held on Friday
20th February beginning at 5:30pm at The
Clocktower, Beaumont St, Hamilton. Meet at The
Clocktower for a time of silent prayer every Friday
during Lent from 5.30 pm to 6.15 pm, beginning on
Friday 20 February. All are welcome to participate.
Organised by Christians for Peace, Newcastle, with
Anglican, Catholic, Quaker and Uniting Church
members. Contacts: Philip Thirlwell 4963 4334, Doug
Hewitt 4969 6336 or
[email protected] for
more information.
Spectacles required
A prison chaplain has made a request for second-hand
spectacles for the use of prisoners. You may have a
pair or two at home that are no longer in use. There
will be a collection box clearly marked in both
churches from mid February. Alternatively they can be
left at the Parish office.
Items required for the needy
Sr Kathryn requires a washing machine in good
working order, a lounge and 2 single beds for a family
in need. Please phone 6554 6470 if you can assist.
Walk for Mission to Seafarers
Lantern Walk for Mission to Seafarers will be held on
Saturday 21st February beginning at 4:00pm at
Honeysuckle Precinct. Celebrate Chinese New Year in
2015 with an evening walk carrying Chinese lanterns
Sr Kathryn would also like to express her sincere
thanks to the generous people who have already
promised single beds and other items.
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Ministers this Weekend...
...of the Word
...of Communion
6pm Tuncurry
A: Neil Pye
B: Geraldine Mullin
Carolyn Olliffe, Frank Hayman, Kylie Hall, Maureen Pye,
Neil Pye.
7am Tuncurry
A: Tony Knight
B: Norm Chapman
Cecile Malone, Genevieve Williamson, Graham Griffiths,
Lorraine Clark, Peter Wicks.
9am Forster
A: Barbara Dolahenty
B: Natasha Brotherton
Alan McCarthy, Anne Moloney, Coral McCarthy, Sharon
Fowle, Natasha Brotherton.
Ministers next Weekend...
...of the Word
...of Communion
6pm Tuncurry
A: Valarie Ross
B: Frank Hayman
Kathryn McCabe, Kylie Hall, Michael Amato, Pat
Hooker, Valarie Ross.
7am Tuncurry
A: Chris Matuszny
B: Cushla Drake
Alex Matuszny, Kay Griffiths, Lorraine Clark, Maria
Armitage, Peter Wicks.
9am Forster
A: Marion ONeill
B: Marie Keep
Anne Harman, Natasha Brotherton, Robert Moran,
Robyn Ryan, Trevor Turner.
Please note: The above information reflects the rosters as originally published,
and doesnt take account of any swaps that may have been organised between individuals.
Text: Excerpts from the English Translation of the Roman Missal 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL); Music: From the Mass of St Francis
2010, Paul Taylor. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Australian AgentLicenSing Online Lic No. 624844.
Scripture Readings This Week
Todays Liturgy of the Word
Today
Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
1 Corinthians 10:3111:1
Mark 1:40-45
Monday
Genesis 4:1-15, 25
Mark 8:11-13
Tuesday
Genesis 6:5-8, 7:1-5, 10
Mark 8:14-21
Wednesday Joel 2:12-18
2 Corinthians 5:206:2
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Thursday
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Luke 9:22-25
Friday
Isaiah 58:1-9,
Matthew 9:14-15
Saturday
Isaiah 58:9-14
Luke 5:27-32
Sunday
Genesis 9:8-15
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:12-15
Responsorial Psalm
Response: In time of trouble I turn to you, O Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
A great prophet has appeared among us;
God has visited his people.
Alleluia!
In your charity, please pray for:
Those recently deceased.
Paul Hicks.
Those whose anniversaries occur about now.
Shaun Murray.
All those in our community who are sick.
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