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Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Judith Beaumont RCWP Memorial Liturgy, St. Andrew United Church of Christ Sarasota, Florida Tuesday, February 6, 2018 , Liturgy prepared by Judith McKloskey RCWP

Judith Beaumont RCWP died on New Year's Day
Judy Lee  RCWP preaches homily at Memorial Liturgy for her partner Judy Beaumont


left to right: Andrea Johnson RCWP, Judith McKloskey RCWP, Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, Marina Teresa Sanchez Mejia RCWP

Marina Teresa Sanchez Mejia proclaims the Gospel in Spanish






Prelude Music:    played by Linda Miska

Hank announces the opening hymn and page numbers.
Opening Hymn: “Soon and Very Soon”          Breaking Bread 589

Procession while opening hymn is sung  
ministry cross             Joelle White
two candles
circle rosary
PEACE plaque family
Trident 9 book
drum
bell
Book of the Gospels   Rev. Marina Teresa Sanchez Mejia
Bishops and Presider


INTRODUCTORY RITE

Presider:
On behalf of Judy Beaumont’s family, I welcome you
to this Memorial Mass as we honor the life among us
of God’s servant Judy Beaumont.
My name is Judith McKloskey, Roman Catholic Woman Priest and friend. Joining me at the altar are Bishops Andrea Johnson and Bridget Mary Meehan. Our music ministers are Linda Miska and Hank Tessandori. We are grateful to Pastor Paul Werner of St. Andrews, and to the members of Mary Mother of Jesus Community for their kindness and hospitality.
During this Eucharist, we pray in our shared belief
that God continues to be with us, and that we are called
to continue living the Gospel values that shined forth
from Judy.


So, in a spirit of gratitude and reverence, we begin,
as we always do,
In the name of our God: Mother/Father, Brother Jesus, and Holy Spirit.                              R. Amen
The grace of our brother Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
R. And also with you.
Judy donated her body to the medical school, so her physical remains are not here to be blessed with holy water. We know that she would like all of us to be blessed with water, because it reminds us of our baptism into Christ Jesus. That is how we will begin.
Sprinkling with water (Andrea, Judith, Bridget Mary); background music
Opening Prayer:
Let us pray.    (moment of silent prayer)   
Loving God, it is our certain faith
that your Son, who died on the cross,
was raised from the dead,
the first fruits of all who have fallen asleep.
Grant that through this mystery
your servant Judy, who has gone to her rest in Christ,
may share in the joy of his resurrection.
We ask this through our brother Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
R. Amen
Before we hear our Scripture readings, we’re going to spend a few moments reflecting on our beloved Judy Beaumont. Judy’s sister Jill and brother Ed and Judy Lee will share some of their memories.

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Thank you, Jill and Ed and Judy. Now let us open our hearts and minds to God’s words of comfort and courage.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Reading 1: Is 25: 1, 4a, 6a-7, 8a, proclaimed by Hank Tessandori

Responsorial Psalm 72: (Inclusive Version; Epiphany), proclaimed by Harry Gary
                                    (or Cyrillia or Felice Rismay) antiphon Mt 25: 21

Reading 2:       2 Tim 4: 6-8, proclaimed by Efe Cudjoe

Gospel:    Mt 25: 34-40 proclaimed in English by Rev. Judith McKloskey
                        proclaimed in Spanish by Rev. Marina Teresa Sanchez Mejia

Judith and Marina go to lectern as Celtic Alleluia is sung and remain there until both final singing of Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation: (Celtic Alleluia) led by Hank Tessandori

            The master replied, “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.”     (NIV)

Alleluia (sung once)

Presider:                Our God is with you.
                                    R. And also with you
                              A reading from the gospel according to Matthew
                                    R. Glory to you, O God.

Then Jesus the Christ will say to those on the right, ‘Come, you blessed of my Abba God! Inherit the kin-dom prepared for you from the creation of the world! For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me; naked and you clothed me; I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me; naked and you clothes me. I was ill and you comforted me; in prison and you came to visit me.’

Then these just will ask, ‘When did we see you hungry and feed you, or see you thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or clothe you in your nakedness? When did we see you ill or in prison and come to visit you? The Jesus the Christ will answer them, ‘The truth is, every time you did this for the least of my sisters or brothers, you did it for me.’

Presider (after the Gospel)      The Good News of salvation!
                                                R. Glory and praise to our savior, Jesus Christ!

Then Marina proclaims the Gospel in Spanish, repeating the         pre-Gospel dialog and the response after the Gospel.

Presider:                Nuestra Dios está contigo.
                                    R. Y tambien contigo
                              Una lectura del evangelio según Mateo.
                                    R. Gloria a ti, oh Dios.

Del santo Evangelio según san Mateo.

34Entonces el rey dirá a los de la derecha: Vengan, benditos de mi padre, a recibir el reino preparado para ustedes desde la creación del mundo. 35Porque tuve hambre y me dieron de comer, tuve sed y me dieron de beber, era emigrante y me recibieron, 36estaba desnudo y me vistieron, estaba enfermo y me visitaron, estaba encarcelado y me vinieron a ver.

37Los justos le responderán: Señor ¿Cuándo te vimos hambriento y te alimentamos, sediento y te dimos de beber, 38emigrante y te recibimos, desnudo y te vestimos? 39¿Cuándo te vimos enfermo o encarcelado y fuimos a visitarte?

40El rey les contestará: Les aseguro que lo que hayan hecho a uno solo de éstos, mis hermanos menores, me lo hicieron a mí.

Las buenas nuevas de la salvación!
      R. Gloria y alabanza a nuestro salvador, Jesucristo!

Celtic Alleluia sung only once


Homily: Judy Lee
http://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/2018/02/another-mary-in-our-midst-homily-by.html
Another Mary in Our Midst

There was another Mary of Magdala

Living quietly in our midst.

She was born to serve and

She did so even as a child

Following her parents

In the Chicago

Christian Family Movement.

And as a young girl of seventeen,

Turning her back gently on home,

Married love and children,

She gave her particular love

To Jesus like you did, dear

St. Mary of Magdala.

She humbly followed the

Rule of Benedict at St. Scholastica,

Teaching at all levels,

And settling Cambodian Refugees

Who write her their thanks

Until this day.

She could be seen on her knees,

Cleaning and praying.

(For her these are one),

Alone, and in her beloved community.

Then, led to be a witness for Peace,

She went alone to Connecticut,

Where the Groton Naval Center

Housed Trident submarines of

World destructive nuclear strength.

And, with the power given her as His sister,

And faithful friend, like the power

and courage of St. Mary of Magdala,

she rowed out with the Trident Nein,

and spilled blood on the destroyer Trident

to show what it would bring if used.

And, like St. Paul and Silas, she was sent

to jail and imprisoned for a total of seven months

For telling the truth.

While there she raised awareness

And took action for women’s prison reform.

Sister Judy she was called and sister Judy

She will always be. But her other name

Was right for her, Mary Daniel,

For Mary’s faithfulness and Daniel’s

Courage are hers, and his prophetic voice.

Yet her woman-voice was soft and

Often went unheard so her actions always

Spoke louder than her words.

Out of prison, she started on the Night Shift,

And worked her way up the hard way.

And when she became Executive Director

Of My Sisters’ Place,

Shelter for homeless women and children

She delivered three buildings and four

Service programs, two for mentally ill

Women and men too. Housing to free

Them from the demons of the street and

Lifting up their hopelessness to God.

After thirty-five years as a Benedictine

She laid the title of Sister down for loving me.

Dispensed, yet she kept her promises

And kept on serving him on her own,

And in the company of friends.

A dear foster mother of three and

God-mother to many and Other-Mother

To countless young women, she served

in Connecticut and later in Florida,

serving at St. Peter Claver Mission,

and AFCAAM, and Jesus Obrero,

and Our Lady of Light

until breast cancer,

then a rare blood cancer, APL,

forced her to slow down a bit.

We thank you God

For allowing her to continue

With us here after the first leukemia.

She was our Servant-Leader.

Thank you for taking her illness

Upon yourself as you took

St. Mary of Magdala’s, for

Healing our sister Judy Beaumont

So she could continue to

Call us to Action for eleven more years,

With her brothers and sisters,

And by her unceasing

Acts of love.

And in that precious time

She gave herself wholly again

in Christlike service,

developing Good Shepherd Ministries,

serving the homeless and poorest

in Church in the Park.

Then in Good Shepherd Inclusive

Catholic Community, where we

Labored together with our guests

and members, praising our God

of Love and Justice and including

All making homes, incomes, food

and clothing available and with

compassion and her endless patience,

listening, and understanding care,

Making each one feel special and

Loved, oh so loved.

She followed her call and was

courageously ordained a

Roman Catholic Woman Priest

and continued to serve at the

Holy altar of broken lives

Made whole.



Then hit again with an advancing

blood disease and AML – leukemia,

She battled the deadly blow while

loving and serving still,

Blessing all who came to her bedside

Until she breathed here no more.

She is not here, she is risen, and lives

with Love forever, but still her spirit

loves and guides us to serve one another

and bring the Kin-dom of God

here and now.

Hers is honor, especially

In the spirit of Mary of Magdala,

Holy Equal of the Apostles.

Let the people say Amen!


by Judith A. B. Lee

July 28, 2006; January 13, 2018



[Is 25: 1, 4a, 6a-7a; Ps 72; 2 Tm 4:6-8; Mt 25:21, 34-40]
Today we celebrate the life of our beloved Judy Beaumont, faithful follower of Christ, faithful partner, sister, Pastor, Priest, good neighbor and friend who kept the faith. Many of us are here today because she kept the faith. But, what does this mean – to keep the faith? What is it that she knew and did so well?
The answer is deceptively simple: she loved and she had the courage to risk everything for Love! The Scriptures chosen today re not the readings of the day but they are how her life read until she made her transition home to the arms of our Loving God. As her beloved sister Jill and I accompanied her in the last weeks and moments of her life we were overcome with her love and her courage as she fought to live, blessed all who came to her side, and was blessed by them, and fought also to make her transition. We witnessed her painful efforts to attend to others, to write cards and notes to family and to make donations to organizations that fight for justice and peace. As she filled out a pledge form to Mary’s Pence – an organization of international justice for women – she wrote on it: I wish I could (give more and do more) but I am dying.” She wanted to do more even beyond the “end,” giving her body to the medical school in Miami. For her to live was to do what she could for justice.
To live the faith is not to center on personal salvation for that is a given, it is to do all one can about the “since of the world” for which Jesus gave his life. For Judy B. this meant long days and nights developing housing for the homeless in Connecticut and delivering two large buildings for housing and four programs out of her travail. Here in Florida it meant helping people with endless read tape and forms for shelter, housing, incomes and food. It meant helping people, every single week, to manage their complex medications and responding to countless emergencies so the poorest among us could live abundantly. It meant translating the justice needed to build the Kin-dom of God on earth into endless tasks related to individual and family lives here and now. She did this quietly, with utmost humility. And always with her smile, a smile that warmed you up and lit up the room.
The Gospel we reflect on is Matthew 25: 34-40: Jesus said via parable: “Come, you who are blessed by our Abba God, take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me…thirsty and you gave me drink…a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed m…ill and you came to visit me…” Jesus is saying, “You worked with me to make it happn, come now and enjoy it.” And if we question not seeing Jesus as poor or sick or imprisoned he says, “When you did this for the least of my brothers and sisters you did it for me.”
This is the faith of Jesus – it is the essence of the Hebraic Law that Jesus fulfilled. It is the essence of the prophetic voice of Isaiah, et., “I will praise your name my God for you do wondrous things: You are a refuge for poor people, a refuge to the needy in distress, shelter in the storm…You prepare for ALL peoples a banquet of rich food. (Is 24:1-8) And the response in Psalm 72 is when God’s people are finally governed with justice the just leaders will “rescue the poor when they cry out and the afflicted when they have no one to help them…” To bring justice is to vanquish greed, prejudice, oppression and negligence, omission that results in poverty and affliction for the “little ones” of this world. To live faith is to work for a just world any way possible including one person at a time. Good Shepherd Ministries began in 2003 as we sheltered one homeless family in their own home, and in 2007-2009 we fed the homeless and hungry in Lion’s Park. Then from 2009-2016 we fed people on Tuesdays and Sundays – fed with a good hot meal and the Sacraments of the church along with the liturgy of the Word Judy B. made sure that the meal was always there – all of the meal, no matter what it took. Her faith was not only to “believe” but to DO what Jesus asked u to do – feed the hungry, house the homeless. Good Shepherd’s Joshua House housed fifty five people (and eight pets) in transition and in hospitality, before we closed our doors. And over one hundred men, women and children had permanent housing. This wore her out. Like Jesus, her body was broken and her blood poured out for God’s people to live – and she loved every minute of it. Only four cancers, the last one lethal, could slow her down. For most of her eighty years, she lived Matthew 24 with all of her being.
And even beyond that she was willing to risk everything for justice and peace. In 1981, when she learned how many hundreds of thousands of poor people could be given basic food and shelter for the price of even one Trident submarine she was outraged. This sub could destroy millions and was so costly that millions more inevitable remained in poverty so it could be built. She left her beloved Benedictine community in Chicago and lived on her own in Connecticut so she could participate in the Plowshares movement of Fathers Dan & Phil Berrigan, to do the activism it took to challenge this immoral ship building in Groton, Connecticut. (a few rods there I couldn’t read.) She participated with a small group of conscience driven men and women in Trident NEIN, rowing out to the sub and throwing blood on it. She was imprisoned for seven months for this crime of conscience and during this time won prison reform for women. She risked the judgement of many, the loss of freedom, major discomfort and becoming a felon. This humble, quiet, strong woman lived her faith.
And again she risked her relationship with her beloved Roman Catholic Church, for her “everything,” to answer the call to the priesthood. She was ordained validly but illicitly, for a woman, in January of 2012. She did not accept that man-made rules could “ex-communicate” her from communion with Christ, and God’s love, but she suffered when she could no longer receive fellowship and communion in her diocese and parish where she had loved serving the poor and working as a Director of Religious Education. She risked this “shunning” and the judgment of others because she believed that God’s call can not be limited by gender or any other demographic. She did not believe that God calls only celibate men to serve as priests. God can call whomever God wants. She believed the words of St. Augustine, “An unjust law is no law at all and it is my right, no, my duty to break it.” And we here today are so thankful that Judy Beaumont had the courage to risk everything, breaking this unjust church law. For she was living Priest and Pastor to many of us here, including me! Believing in the priesthood of all believers she invited all to consecrate with her and she always served with the words: “Judy, Hank, Cyrillia, Pearl, Joe, Jolinda, Debbie, Gary, You are the body of Christ.” She lived as Christ did, and at the end that included “body broken and blood poured out.” I would cry as she served me every Sunday toward the end, for in her I saw the body literally broken and the blood, literally poured out. Leukemia is all about blood. Yet she would look at me and assure me that in receiving his body I became his body. And experiencing her life and her dying I knew what this meant. When we keep the faith, we become Christ for one another.
Toward the end her sister Jill sat on one side of the bed and I on the other. Jill, wiping a tear, said “I think the verse in Timothy suits her – she has fought the good fight, she has finished the race, she has kept the faith. I agreed and we found the verses in 2 Tim 4: 6-8 and read them to her. She nodded and held our hands. She knew that she had kept the faith and the crown of righteousness was her inheritance. Not a crown of gold or silver, diamonds or precious stones – but a crown of justice. Her life had brought justice for so many. Her reward will be to live forever, eternally, in the Kingdom of God where justice reigns – where love is enacted in terms of justice and compassion – where love reigns.
Thank you, Pastor Judy B, for keeping the faith. Thank you Judy for following Jesus and showing us what it takes. Rest no in Love. Live in Love forever.
Keep the faith!
Let the people say Amen!

Rev. Dr. Judy Lee, RCWP

Co-Pastor, Good Shepherd Ministries and Inclusive Catholic Community




Prayers of the Faithful: (read by Judy Alves)
Judy Alves goes to lectern and remains there until presider completes the prayers.
Presider:           Always mindful of God’s love and care for us,
                     we now bring our needs to our God:
(Pause for prayers)
Our sister Judy shared in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, leading God’s people in prayer and worship. Bring her into your presence where she will take her place in the heavenly liturgy. Loving God, in your mercy…
    R. Hear our prayer.
Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and wait the kin-dom. Grant them an everlasting home with your Son. Loving God, in your mercy, …
    R. Hear our prayer.
Many people die by violence, war, and famine each day. Show your mercy to those who suffer so unjustly these sins against your love, and gather them to the eternal kin-dom of peace.
Loving God, in your mercy, …
    R. Hear our prayer.
Those who trusted in the Lord now sleep in the Lord. Give refreshment, rest, and peace to all whose faith is known to you alone. Loving God, in your mercy,…                     R. Hear our prayer.

Judy’s family and friends seek comfort and consolation. Heal their pain and dispel the darkness and doubt that come from grief. Loving God, in your mercy, …
   R. Hear our prayer.
We are gathered here in faith and confidence to pray for our sister Judy. Strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of your Son’s coming. Loving God, in your mercy, …
    R. Hear our prayer.

Presider:        
Gracious God, giver of peace and healer of souls,
hear the prayers of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ,
and the voices of your people,
whose lives were purchased by the blood of the Lamb.
Forgive the sins of all who sleep in Christ
and grant them a place in your kin-dom.
We ask this through Jesus our Brother.
      R. Amen

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Hank announces the hymn and page numbers
Offertory Hymn:  “I Am the Bread of Life” Breaking Bread 343, vs. 1, 4 & 5

Bridget Mary:     Blessed are you, God of all creation.
Through your goodness we have this bread to offer,
which earth has given and human hands have made.
It will become for us the bread of life.
     R. Blessed be God forever.
Andrea:            Blessed are you, God of all creation.
Through your goodness we have this wine to offer.
It will become our spiritual drink.
R. Blessed be God forever.
Presider:            Pray, brothers and sisters, that our offering
may be acceptable to God, our loving Creator.
R. May God accept these gifts from our hands
for the praise and glory of God's name,
for our good, and the good of all the world.
Presider:              God of love, we are united in this sacrament by the love of Jesus Christ. May our lives be instruments of your healing. We ask this through Jesus, our Brother. R. Amen

                  May God be with you.                   And also with you.
                  Lift up your hearts.                          We lift them up to God.
                  Let us give thanks to our loving God.
                                                                                    It is right to give God thanks and praise.


                                            PREFACE

Presider:    It is truly right to give you thanks; it is fitting that we offer you praise, faithful and merciful God.
 You sent Jesus Christ your Son among us as redeemer.

He was moved with compassion for the poor
and the powerless, for the sick and the sinner;
he made himself neighbor to the oppressed.
By his words and actions he proclaimed
to the world that you care for us as a parent cares
for children.
And so, with all the angels and saints we speak
the joyful hymn of your praise:
All:           Holy, holy, holy One, God of love and peace,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. 
Blest is Jesus who comes in the name of our God.
Hosanna in the highest.

Bridget Mary: You are truly blessed, O God of holiness:
you accompany us with love as we journey through life. Blessed too is your Son, Jesus Christ, who is present among us, and whose love gathers us together. As once he did for his disciples, Christ now opens the scriptures for us and breaks
the bread.


Presider:      Great and merciful God, we ask you to send your Holy Spirit to bless these gifts of bread and wine,
that they may become for us
the body ++ and blood of Jesus the Christ.
(Please extend your hands as we pray the consecration together.)
On the night before he died, Jesus came to the table with those he loved; Jesus took bread and gave you thanks and praise; he broke the bread, and gave it
to his friends, saying:
Take this, all of you, and eat it:
this is my body, which will be given up for you.
When supper was ended, Jesus poured a final cup
of wine.  Again he gave you thanks and praise.
He gave the cup to his friends, saying:
Take this, all of you, and drink from it:
this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.

Presider:      Let us proclaim the mystery of faith!
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Andrea:       And so, God most holy, we celebrate the memory of
Jesus your Son, whom you led through suffering
and death to the glory of the resurrection and a
place at your right hand. Until Jesus, our Savior, comes again, we proclaim the work of your love,
and we offer you the bread of life and the cup of salvation.
God, perfect your Church in faith and love together with our church leaders and all those your Son has gained for you.

Bridget Mary: Open our eyes to the needs of all; inspire us with words and deeds to comfort those who labor and are burdened; keep our service of others faithful to the example and command of Christ.

Presider:      Let your Church be a living witness to truth and freedom, to justice and peace, that all people may be lifted up by the hope of a world made new.
Be mindful of our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the peace of Christ, especially your daughter Judy. Lead them to the fullness of the resurrection and gladden them with the light of your face.
When our pilgrimage on earth is complete, welcome us into your heavenly home, where we shall dwell with you forever. There, with Mary, the Mother of God, with the apostles, the martyrs, and all the saints, we shall praise you and give you glory through Jesus Christ, your Son.
Spoken while elevating paten & chalice
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours, all-loving God, forever and ever.        sung AMEN. (from Lilies of the Field)

Communion Rite

Abba Prayer
Presider:       Let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught us:
                     Our Father/Our Mother, who are in heaven....

Sign of Peace
Presider:
Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples,
“I leave you peace. My peace I give you.”
Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church,
and grant us the peace and unity of your kin-dom
where you live for ever and ever.    R. Amen

May the peace of Christ be with you.
                                               R. And also with you.

Let us offer each other a sign of peace.

Breaking of the Bread:

All:                 Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
                       Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
                       Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Presider:        This is Jesus, the Bread of Life, how blessed are we 
                  who are called to this table.
                         R. Jesus, you make us worthy to receive you,
and by your word we are healed

(Four communion ministers: two for bread; two for chalice)

Communion Hymn:    “Peace Is Flowing Like A River” Breaking Bread 535
                                    followed by instrumental music

Communion Meditation: Ave Maria sung by Hank Tessandori


CONCLUDING RITE

Presider:                   Before we conclude our prayer, Judy’s family invites you to share food and memories in the fellowship hall. Again we express our gratitude to Pastor Paul of St. Andrews; Bishop Andrea Johnson for traveling from Maryland; Pastor Bridget Mary and the members of Mary, Mother of Jesus Community; music ministers Linda Miska and Hank Tessandori; all who prepared the food, and to all of you for praying with us this day.

As we take leave of our sister Judy, we express our love for her. We give thanks for the blessings she so fully lived in this life, and for the blessings she so richly shared with us. We pray for consolation as we mourn her absence here among us. We comfort one another in our grief, because even our mourning is a blessing and an opportunity to love one another better.

Please raise your hand in loving memory of Judy Beaumont, who lives now in God, and in blessing toward all who are gathered here today.

May our loving God bless us, heal us, and fill us with peace, in the name of God our Father/Mother, Jesus our Brother, and the Holy Spirit.                  R. Amen

Go in the peace of Christ, to continue loving and serving God and one another.                                             R. Thanks be to God.

Judy loved our closing hymn, because it got us renewing our commitment and back into service.
So we raise our voices in singing “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.”

Closing Hymn:            I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Sources: 1st reading, responsorial psalm and Gospel from Inclusive Bible. Epistle from NIV.


Prepared with love by Judith McKloskey




Jill, Judy Beaumont's sister and brother












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