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"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21)
Shutterstock stock photo ID:Image ID: 626333222. Money bag and stacked gold coins. By Watchara Ritjan
THE PASTOR'S POST:
OUR PRINCIPAL IS RETIRING. KERRY ROWLANDS - PRINCIPAL OF ST. VINCENT'S PRIMARY SCHOOL.
THANKS KERRY, FOR YOUR WONDERFUL WORK!
You are one of God's faithful servants.
Kerry is one of our most admired and successful Principals. Kerry won the Principal of the Year Award for BCE Schools in 2018, and when you meet Kerry you understand immediately the reasons why.
She is warm, energetic, caring and above all highly emotionally intelligent! Kerry applies this intelligence to the way she operates as Principal - and when you add her capacity for caring and kindness, Kerry is the most authentic, complete Principal 'package.'
Kerry began her teaching career in Brisbane at Mt Carmel. She taught in Liverpool in Sydney at St Mary's and then moved to the UK to teach for a number of years. Teaching in the UK was something Kerry describes as 'interesting.' She brought back a wealth of skills and expertise and implemented these as Assistant Principal at St Francis Xavier, Runaway Bay and then at St Kevin's at Benowa. So many of our Gold Coast Primary Schools have benefited from Kerry's personal and professional presence.
Kerry's first Principalship was at St Joseph's at Beenleigh. Here Kerry drew the community together and positioned the school at the heart of that community. She wove her magic to "bring the spirit back to St Joseph's," as one parent commented. Five years later, St Joseph's loss was St Vincent's gain, as Kerry commenced what would become a Principalship of fifteen years.
Kerry regards her focus on Teaching and Learning in the Catholic context as among her greatest achievements at St Vincent's, and few would disagree. Kerry has created a collaborative culture where teachers work together for the benefit of the students in their care.
Kerry has also looked after the school and improved its facilities and buildings in significant ways. From the Preps engaged in play-based learning, to the Robotics Club. which has participated in international competitions, to the upper school students in their flexible spaces within their impressive new buildings: Kerry's drive, innovation and commitment to St Vincent's community is clearly evident.
Kerry is the mother of two grown and loving sons, Andrew and Alex; and wife of successful Gold Coast GP, David, whom she describes as 'very handy' to have by her side. She has a passion for travel, which Covid has dented significantly, and is always motivated to give back. In a typically unassuming and service oriented way, Kerry plans to spend a significant part of her professional renewal leave working in schools where she is needed with the children. Only a woman and leader of the calibre of Kerry Rowlands would give so willingly and embrace 'service' as her renewal.
You will be missed at St Vincent's, but certainly not forgotten, Kerry.
Since you and David live on the coast and are members of the parish, we look forward to finding ways to fill any idle moments when you eventually tire of being retired. There is no escaping the warm embrace of the Surfers Paradise Parish.
Fr Peter Dillon PP.
CHRISTMAS MASSES IN SURFERS PARADISE CATHOLIC PARISH
Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish has not yet announced its Christmas Mass schedule.
Due to Covid-19 we are planning to schedule extra masses at times that will be made available from Monday 9am 16th November. Please note that masses will be marked as "FULL" until after 9 am 16/11/20.
Because of Covid restrictions the numbers will be limited and it is absolutely vital that people book in advance. As the masses need to be by booking only, times will not be advertised widely, as we cannot accommodate any people who simply turn up without a confirmed booking.
Any bookings made for the mass that was on the booking site for 25th December (which was just a standard entry for a weekday mass sequence), will be cancelled so that the new Christmas schedule can be set up.
The dispensation from attending Mass continues to apply in these times of Covid restrictions and if people are unable to book into a mass we will have the Mass for you at home audio liturgy and also other streaming options. Thank you for your cooperation at this time. Bookings can be made from 9am Mon 16th Nov.
Mass Booking: https://bookeo.com/catholicmassgoldcoast or, if you are unable to book online, please ring the parish office between 9am and 12 noon Mon-Fri. Ph: 5572 5433
Yours faithfully, The Parish Team
FISH FEAST (Numbers limited)
Let us get-together for a 'FISH FEAST' on Friday 04 December, 12noon
At The Fish Emporium at Capri On Via Roma, Isle of Capri
Your choice of:
*Classic fish n chips box or *Classic calamari and chips box or *Fish burger and chips or *Chicken schnitzel burger and chips. Rate $15.00 per person (drinks and desert additional).
The spacious deck at "THE FISH EMPORIUM" - an ideal place, offers north-east views of the city skyline over the water (Covid social distancing will be in place). Let us begin meeting new friends & reacquainting ourselves with old friends from our Church's congregations. This is a special offer for our Parish extended to us by the owners of the restaurant.
Bookings are required (Numbers Are Limited).
You may contact Marguerite McMahon on margueritemcmahonts@gmail.com (or phone 0408 765 954) (Marguerite is a parishioner @ Stella Maris on Sunday and mid-week at Sacred Heart)
RSVP by Wednesday 2nd December).
CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION:
INSTRUCTORS and ASSISTANTS NEEDED
at our local State Primary Schools for 1-2 hours per week.
Tell children about JESUS.
New volunteers are placed with experienced Instructors.
Training is free, with support.
An easy curriculum ensures Bible stories are covered to give an understanding of God's love.
The door is open for us to 'go' (Matthew 28:19)
Will you go?
For more information, please call Helene McCowan on 0419 747631 or email helene.mccowan@gmail.com
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION:
November 15, 2020 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
"Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you have been faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities." - Matthew 25:21
God calls us to nurture and develop the gifts He has given us and then generously return a portion with increase. He doesn't want us to waste or hoard the gifts He has given us. He expects us to grow our gifts, use them wisely and be generous with them. Unfortunately, many of us are not generous in proportion to all that God has given us.
The vision of Stewardship speaks in every aspect of life, inviting everyone to be thankful, generous and accountable for what each has been given.
SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT'S RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS
Christmas gifts including plaques, statues, medals, rosaries, key rings, children's books and bibles, are available at our Religious Goods Shops at Sacred Heart and St Vincent's.
Phone orders and enquiries ring Pat 0404 805 819
2021 Daily Mass Books for the new Liturgical year have arrived at the Religious Goods Shops Price $25
November Remembrance Mass for the Irish Community
You are invited to come and join with other members of our Irish and Irish-Australian Community in praying for the peaceful repose of your deceased relatives and friends at a November Remembrance Mass, which will take place on Sunday 29 November at 11.00am in Guardian Angels Church, Scarborough Street, Southport.
The Celebrant will be Fr John Maher.
Tea/coffee will be served afterwards – an opportunity to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends.
Because of COVID restrictions on numbers attending, attendees are asked to indicate their intention to be present - so please contact Joe Thompson on 0407 410 041 and advise him if you are coming. thompson-j@bigpond.com
FANS IN THE CHURCH DURING HOT WEATHER ARE TO BE LEFT ON
Please Don't Ask The Coordinator To Turn Them Off.
They Are Following Church Health and Safety Regulations.
It may be necessary to relocate to another seat that may better suit your needs.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
The Surfers Paradise Parish community congratulates Fr Paul Kelly on the 23rd anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood which he celebrated this week.
THE GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND - The Parable of the Treasure, entrusted to us:
"The Master entrusted his wealth to them. ...each according to his ability."
(Matthew 25:14-15)
[Gospel values included in the readings: God entrusts us with gifts according to our abilities. The gifts we have are given to be shared and nurtured]
This weekend's parable could be summed up with the following quote from Charles M. Shulz, creator of the cartoon characters: Charlie Brown, Linus and Snoopy …. He writes…: "life is like a ten-speed bicycle… Most of us have gears we never use"
We certainly have talents, and it would be more than a tragedy to bury them.
This weekend's gospel…. (often described as the parable of the "talents") could also be entitled….'do not let what you cannot do, stop you from doing what you CAN do.'
The key to this parable is that the master gave each servant the number of talents according to their abilities… So he KNEW what they could do and he expected them to do what they could….
So, from the gospel's perspective, we are not always the best judge of our own gifts and talents. God is!
And sometimes it takes family, friends or trusted mentors to encourage us in gifts and talents which we might be too lacking in confidence to see for ourselves.
We can be our own worst enemies when it comes to saying things like: "'I am not good at that' or…. " I can't do this"…. It is God who truly knows all the things that we "ARE" and "ARE NOT" able to do. Talents and gifts are to be promoted and nurtured or else they get wasted.
"This weekend's gospel speaks of the gifts God has given all of us. We are invited to develop the daily habit of reflecting on the gifts we have been given by God's grace. Daily, we become more aware of the gifts God has given to us and we put them to good use in response to God's call.
Today's gospel invites us to reflect honestly on the talents, skills, and qualities that are part of each of us, and how we help multiply life's goodness by using those talents fully. We also have to be wary of all the weak excuses we can be tempted to use when we doubt our abilities or find the task challenging. The foolish person who hid his talent had what he thought was a perfect excuse to offer to the master, but the master soon labelled it for what it really was: - nonsense!" Our Lord can see through our lame excuses too.
The Pharisees and scribes of Jesus' time, focused on preserving and keeping the law of Moses…. "building a fence around the law" keeping the law pure and untainted…. They were so intent on this that they were really focusing on simply keeping the law, burying it in a field, and handing it back exactly as they had received it, without change or growth or improvement….. They had lost the point….. The Law had become an end in itself…. "keeping the rules" was the only thing that mattered….. Earning God's reward by keeping the rules, but not nothing much else…. This had distorted the Good news of God's Kingdom…….. What they were doing is a bit like a farm worker handing back a seed that they had been given and saying to the farmer… here it is… you gave it to me... I have preserved the seed… froze it… and here is the seed back exactly in the same condition as you gave it to me…. But how crazy… The seed is meant for the sowing. It is intended for planting… and for germination… it is to produce a plant which will bear fruit…..
This tendency still occurs today…. the tendency to miss the forest for the trees…. and to focus on restrictive rules as opposed to the purpose, reason and spirit of the law and what it was trying to achieve, can be a constant obstacle….
God has distributed talents differently to different people…… we don't all have the same qualities and talents…….. (but the talents each of us have…. are given to share for the common good of all…..) We also know that (throughout history), there are some very talented people who have under-utilised their talent and produced mediocre fruit. There are also countless stories of saints and famous people, over the ages, who overcame great obstacles (including very poor health), and limitations of all sorts, to produce the most amazing (disproportionate) fruits and astounding results in their lives….. They did it by determination, hard work (and of course, by the grace of God)….and utilising well the talents and vision they DID possess….. It's the story of the 'tortoise and the hare' – slow and steady wins the race…..….
The reward, in God's kingdom, is an unusual one, according to this parable - - Those who do well, are given even more responsibility (That is, they are given even more work to do)… Sounds a little daunting doesn't it… But we remember the saying: "If you want something done, ask a busy person". Those who produced the fruits were given even more to produce….. So it is with us… There is no time like the present… and the harvest of the Kingdom is plentiful… and the labourers are few….
If we use our gifts, they will deepen, they will increase in significance and effect…. If we don't use our gifts they will weaken…..we could lose them…..so the best way to keep our gifts is to use them in the service of God's Kingdom…here and now…. serving God, by helping others.
To listen to the whole Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) - https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Fr. Paul Kelly [Reference: ##THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF Matthew. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY.; Prepare the Word Resources; Mark Link]
LITURGY SPOT
Through his death and resurrection, Christ freed us from sin and gave us access to a new life, "so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life". Furthermore, the risen Christ is the principle and source of our future resurrection: "Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep […] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive".
It is true that Christ will raise us up on the last day; but it is also true that, in a certain way, we have already risen with Christ. In Baptism, actually, we are immersed in the death and resurrection of Christ and sacramentally assimilated to him: "You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead". United with Christ by Baptism, we already truly participate in the life of the risen Christ.
Because of Christ, Christian death has a positive meaning. The Christian vision of death receives privileged expression in the liturgy of the Church: "Indeed for your faithful, Lord, life is changed not ended, and, when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven". By death the soul is separated from the body, but in the resurrection God will give incorruptible life to our body, transformed by reunion with our soul. These days the Church is still called to proclaim her faith in the resurrection: "The confidence of Christians is the resurrection of the dead; believing that we live".
{Excerpt from the Instruction of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, "Ad resurgendum cum Christo", 2016, para 2}
Fr Paul Kelly
SHUTTERSTOCK LICENSED stock photo ID: 1287805768. Tomb of Jesus : Jesus Christ is Risen : Easter Day : Details of Jesus Christ's Resurrection : By Rachata Sinthopachakul
PARISH FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Now, more than ever, your support is needed to help our Parish to continue valuable pastoral activities and to provide ongoing sustainability. To assist you to support the Parish, you can give via http://parishgiving.brisbanecatholic.org.au
If you are able to continue to support us, we would be most grateful. For all those who have been making payments via credit card and those who have donated directly into the parish account, we thank you. The spirit of generosity is alive in our Parish. If you would like confirmation of your donation or a receipt emailed to you please contact me at man.surfers@bne.catholic.net.au.
Or, please ring the parish office between 9am and 12 noon Mon-Fri. Ph: 5572 5433.
A NEW WAVE!
Have you seen the beautiful new timber stands in the church? They are called 'payWave' (or 'tap-and-go' machines).
These are a handy new way of donating to the parish.
Following several requests from parishioners, we have decided to provide payWave facilities in each of our Parish Churches, to assist people who may wish to donate to the work of the parish, but find that they don't have ready access to cash when they arrive at Church.
The donation points are set at $5, so that each time you wave your credit card you would be making a donation to the parish of $5 (or $10 if you wave twice and so on). EFTPOS is also available for larger amounts. We hope this will be a more convenient way for some parishioners to donate to the parish, and that people will not feel uncomfortable if they do not contribute when the plate comes past at the collection times. All in all it is a safer, easier and more sensible way to donate as the carrying of cash is fast becoming a thing of the past. Please ask for assistance from the priests or Mass coordinators if you experience any difficulties or have questions or concerns.
To payWave, just tap a credit card or bank card on the sensor and it will donate $5 and once it has processed this first tap, (which may take 30 seconds), you can tap it again, to give another $5, and so on. A safe and handy way to give money. God bless you for your support.
Yours faithfully, Sonya Slater, Parish Manager
REACHING BEYOND 2020
People of all trades and professions are being requested by communities abroad seeking to build the capacity of their organisations and the skills of their people. Restrictions this year have made communities' needs acute, but your assistance will help to develop self-reliance and sustainable solutions to poverty. Palms Australia will provide you with thorough preparation to ensure your readiness as travel resumes, and support on assignment
See www.palms.org.au and talk to Roger on 0431 995 058, or
email palms@palms.org.au
Fr Warren livestream Mass on ShalomWorld.org website
Fr Warren will celebrate Mass live on "ShalomWorld TV" each Friday afternoon for the next few months at 1pm* (Brisbane time). (*adjusted for daylight saving).
If you want to join in you do this through a browser on your mobile device or computer (or by downloading the ShalomWorld app on a Smart TV or to your device). The link is: www.shalomworld.org/watchlive
You then need to get to choose "SW PRAYER" from the menu. It seems that all the browsers work a bit differently so we cannot give more precise details. Chrome, Edge or Safari are recommended. Firefox seems to have some difficulties.
Warren Kinne
MASS TIMES (PRE-BOOKING ESSENTIAL)
Additional to the above times, we will continue to celebrate weekday Mass at Sacred Heart at 9am.
The 9am Saturday Mass will be on the First Saturday of the month (7th Nov) at Sacred Heart.
You will be informed via the parish website or E-Newsletter when this situation changes.
Please remember that as per restrictions we are still expected to book and check in for mass, maintain a social-distance of 1.5metres, receive Holy Communion in the hand only, refrain from physical contact when offering the Sign of Peace, and to sanitise when entering and exiting the premises. We ask that people consult the parish website https://www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au, to keep up to date with any changes relating to masses. Mass Booking: https://bookeo.com/catholicmassgoldcoast or
Or, if you are unable to book online, please ring the parish office between 9am and 12 noon Mon-Fri. Ph: 5572 5433
STAYING CONNECTED
Have you ensured that your contact details are up to date with the Parish:
Please fill out this form if you are unsure. Census Form Information Update
SURFERS PARADISE CATHOLIC PARISH - CENSUS UPDATE
Are you on our mailing list for the weekly e-newsletter, weekly homily/Mass audio blog and occasional breaking news alerts? If not, please email us at paulwkelly68@gmail.com. Note: sometimes we have added a person to our email-list but the email is going to their 'spam' or 'junk-mail' folder. It is a good idea to check these folders to see if it is there. If that is happening to you, you can mark these emails as 'approved' or 'not-spam/junk', so your email server lets them get through to you.
You can visit the Stay Connected page on our website to find an extensive list of information and resources.
Liturgy for you at Home (produced by SPP): https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Weekly Homily (produced by SPP): https://homilycatholic.blogspot.com
Surfers Paradise Parish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/surferscatholic/
Breaking Parish News (SPP Blog): https://news-parish.blogspot.com/
Access the digital Catholic Leader: https://catholicleader.com.au/digital-newspaper-covid19
IN OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS AT THIS TIME.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Caterina (Cathy) Randazzo, Yvonne Warren, Hiroshi Takahashi, Anthony Netting, Ellanie Gonzalez, Draga Vlasic, Andrew Young, Sam Maxwell, Margaret Paterson, Rodney McGrath, Doug Reiser, Helen Bohringer, John Zappa, George & Margaret Cook, Peter O'Brien, Angela Duvnjak, Judy Dempsey, Monica Bailey, Rachel Raines, Savannah Ayoub, Lisa Mangan, Colin Virtue, Ann Harris, Ann-Marie Loder, Angel Salvador, Brian Woodgate, Kate Smith, Tricia Baumann, Gus Reeves, Baby Maeve Lombard, Kathy Kiely, Ron Perry, Kim Parkes, Rosslyn Wallis, Jabour Haddad, Maureen Murphy, Peter Walsh, Arthur Haddad, Jean Di Benedetto, Damian Callinan, Rosemary Wales, Peter Allsopp, Yvonne Campesi, Louis Couch, Michael Tracey, Joanne Mooney, Joanne Parkes, Michelle MacDonald, John & Molly Robinson, Mary Kerr, Eileen McCarthy. And all those suffering from the effects of Covid-19.
ALL THE HOLY SOULS - ESPECIALLY THOSE LISTED IN THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE AT THE CHURCHES
RECENTLY DECEASED: Douglas George Davey, Baby Charbel Raphael, Robert Aouad, Sigita Rusa, Beryl Margaret Davidson, Dulcie May Ricks, Noel Jones, Monique Roberts, Carmelita Jocson, Marie Elizabeth Giles, Ederlina Callada, Danielle Begaud, Wilhelmina Antoinette Vos, Enid Wynne (sister of Justin King), Carmen Kruse, Julie Mary Ritchie, Rodney Matthews.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: Sim Be Hiang, Eve Barry, Bob Sutcliffe and Rose O'Sullivan, Lina Pernazza, Halam & Millie Japour, Ronald George Burnell, Giuseppe (Joe) Iulianetti, Alan and Veronica Bond, Bill Wall, Merv Hughes, Shirley Shephard and relatives and friends of the Hooworth Family. Shirley Elizbeth O'Brien, Phylis Woodhead, Fr. Virgil Pender, Cyril Steptoe, Agnes McDermott, Mary Kirsch, Pat Conway, Bruce Buckley, Pauline Margaret Brooks, John Bernard Landrigan, Elizabeth Mary Pauli Rose, Shirley Day, Bridget Weston, Kelly Marie Sutherland, Dora Crisante, Giacomo (Jack) Ulliana.
THE SACRED HEART BRIDGE CLUB
Meets at the Sacred Heart - Parish Hospitality Centre, Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters.
Playing Bridge keeps your brain active and increases your social network! So why not give us a try?
Learn to play Bridge at "Our Friendly Club" - Free Lesson. "Introduction to Bridge"
Easy to learn format, no previous card playing experience necessary. All are welcome.
For more information and to enrol, Please phone: Cheryl 5538 8821 or Mob 0417 772 701
YOGA AT THE PARISH HOSPITALITY CENTRE
Come join us for our friendly, COVID-19 safe, class in the comfortable Hospitality Centre at the Sacred Heart Church, available every Tuesday 10:45am. Learn to relax, yet gain greater flexibility, inner strength, body awareness and concentration, all while increasing your breath support and general wellbeing. Ruth is an IYTA accredited instructor with wide experience and runs a caring, carefully monitored one hour session costing $10 (new attendees need to arrive by 10.30am to prepare adequately for class). For more information call Ruth on 0421338110.
CHRISTMAS PRESENCE: Advent Retreat (St Mary's - Coomera)
What are your spiritual gifts? (1 Corinthians 1:3-9)
2-5pm Saturday 28th November 2020
St Mary's Coomera Church: 185 Billinghurst Cres, Upper Coomera 4209
Booking Contact:
Catherine Smith: 0401070821 or csmith3183@gmail.com
Lynne Head-Weir: 0409 198 545 or G.C.I.Arts.C@gmail.com
Suggested donation: $10
HELD IN GOD'S LOVING HANDS: A Quiet Weekend Retreat For Women
What do God's hands look like? How can we reimagine our lives held in lovingly cupped hands and held close? Comfort, compassion, mercy, nurture, deep love…
A weekend opportunity for women to leave behind the chaos and clutter that can be a part of life and enter into quiet in community. Come and experience a time of prayerful reflection.
Facilitated by Grace Harwood (Dragonfly Ministries)
2 opportunities to choose from:
Friday 11 December 6pm to Sunday 13 December 3pm OR Friday 15 January 6pm to Sunday 17 January 3pm
Location: Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre, Wellington Street, Ormiston
Cost: $370 ($340 for pensioners, f/t students and unemployed) includes all accommodation, meals, resources and facilitation. Santa Teresa requires an additional $30 fee for those with special diets.
To register or enquire contact: grace@dragonflyministries.net.au or 0409 524 283 (also Grace)
POSITIONS VACANT:
Acacia Ridge Parish Secretary
Applications are open for the above position at the Acacia Ridge Parish. The position is a full-time 38 hour role and will begin in January 2021. For additional information, please click through to the job application.
St Stephen's Cathedral Sacristan
Applications are open for the above position within the St Stephen's Cathedral Parish. The role plays a key role in ensuring full, active and prayerful participation at St Stephen's Cathedral Masses. The position is a full-time 37.5 hour role. For additional information, please click through to the job application.
Readings for Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Year A
FIRST READING: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Ps: Psalm 23:1-2a, 2b-3, 5, 6 "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want"
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Gospel Acclamation: (Mark 11:9b+10a) Alleluia, alleluia! Blessings on Him who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our father David.
GOSPEL: Matthew 25:31-46
"The Archdiocese of Brisbane holds that children and vulnerable adults are a gift from God with an intrinsic right to dignity of life, respect and security from physical and emotional harm. They are to be treasured, nurtured and protected from any harm."
As a Parish Community, we pray for a change of heart, that we respond to our grief by reaching out to one another in truth and love.
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