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August 2016
Community CONNECTION
Creating community engagement
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FROM FATHER RASK
Many members of our parish community are busy preparing for the 47th annual Fall Festival. Fall Festival Leadership will be in the Courtyard during the last two weekends of August after Masses to answer your questions, sell raffle/quilt tickets, and assist you in signing up for a multitude of volunteer opportunities. Be sure to stop by the Courtyard to learn how you can be involved in this annual fun-filled weekend. You can also sign up to volunteer in the links provided in this email.
We are also approaching the end of the first year of "Our Family, Our Faith, Our Future" Capital Campaign for building expansion. The total pledged by over 1000 households of the parish is just over 4.5 million dollars. We have about two and half million on hand, ready to begin the next phase of the project: the selection of a construction partner. Read more about this exciting time for our parish in the "Building Our Vision" article in this Connection.
If you haven't yet registered family members for our 2016-2017 Faith Formation programs, it very easy to do with online registration links. See the Faith Formation information in this Connection. There are also some upcoming adult Faith Formation programs highlighted in that section as well.
In early August, St. Odilia School was on the cover and featured in the bi-monthly magazine for the Catholic Schools Center for Excellence. See the article in this Connection by Brian Ragatz for more details and a link to the online magazine.
This Connection includes articles about some great opportunities to become more involved in our parish community through the various ministries. Read all about them... and enjoy these last weeks of summer!
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BUILDING OUR VISION - A NEW PHASE BEGINS!
Our work began with the Our Faith, Our Family, Our Future Capital Campaign to raise the needed funding for our facility expansion.
As of the end of July, you have pledged over $4.5M to this campaign and have already donated over $2.5M.
We enter the next phase of Building our Vision with the selection of a general contractor to work with our Building Committee and architect through the design stage, providing input on project costs and design. The general contractor will seek competitive bids from suppliers and subcontractors and will oversee the construction. We plan to finalize the general contractor selection by early September, so please watch the bulletin for ongoing project updates.
We are grateful for the many parishioners who are sharing their talents with us on this project. Members of the Building Committee will be working with the Design Team, Construction Team and Communications Team and are listed below:
- Pastor - Fr. Phillip J. Rask
- Chair - Jeff Hermes
- Member Emeritus - Jim Foley
- Parish Trustee - Greg Gerlach
- Design Team Lead - Mary Nussbaum, Sara Russell
- Construction Team Lead - Larry Langer
- Communication Team Lead - Sara Russell
- PLC Representative - Russ Bertsch
- Parish Staff - Jeanne Schaaf
- Architect - Station 19 Architects
- General Contractor - To be determined
Our Work Continues: If you haven't pledged yet, please consider joining your fellow parishioners. Contact Ramona Michaels at 651-415-3350 or send an email to: capitalcampaign@stodilia.org
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ATTENTION FAMILIES!
Faith Formation Registration for the 2016-17 School Year
Register NOW - classes will fill!
- Sunday School (age 3 thru K)
- Family Faith Formation (K-grade 5)
- Junior High Faith Formation (grades 6-7)
- Confirmation (grades 8 & 9)
Discount for volunteer catechists. Scholarships available if financial need.
Please consider a donation to help us give more scholarships.
Register and pay online for 2016-2017 Faith Formation HERE
- Payment is not required to register online. A payment plan with quarterly billing can be requested.
If you are unable to register online, paper registration forms are available, in the parish office and the Faith Formation office. Questions? Contact the Faith Formation office, 651-415-3329, or send an email to faithformation.registration@stodilia.org.
Confirmation - Special Note: for 2016-17 only, both 8th graders and 9th graders will be preparing for and celebrating Confirmation. In future years, Confirmation will be in 8th grade.
We need you to be a Partner in Ministry
in Faith Formation!
The effectiveness and success of our Faith Formation and Youth Ministry programs depends on adult and teen leaders! Please consider joining us in passing on the faith to our families and young people. There is a place for every type of person! We are in need of behind-the-scenes helpers, catechists and small group facilitators, and youth ministry core team members. For your convenience, click on the link below to complete a short application about your preferences as a partner in ministry:
Archdiocesan Essential Three Requirements: In order to work with minors in any of our faith formation or youth ministry programs, adults must complete the Archdiocesan Essential Three, which consists of: signing the Volunteer Code of Conduct, completing a safe environment training session called VIRTUS: Protecting God's Children, and undergoing a background check. We encourage alll parents to consider becoming Essential Three approved.
The background check process can be somewhat lengthy, and you never know when you might want to step in as a chaperone, hall monitor, or substitute catechist.
- To get started: click HERE to download the essential three paperwork.
- Then go to www.virtus.org and click on the "first time registrant" button to create a personal Virtus account. This will allow you to register for the Virtus Class, sign the Code of Conduct, and request a background check.
Becoming a Catholic
Do you know someone who is:
- Thinking of becoming a Catholic?
- Already Catholic, but has not received Confirmation?
- Interested in serving as a sponsor?
The RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - is for them. The first meetings are for inquiry - no strings attached, no need to have made a final decision, all seekers welcome. It's a process of spiritual formation and learning. The RCIA at St. Odilia meets on Wed. evenings, beginning in mid-September. Each inquirer is also assigned a parishioner as a sponsor. Might this year be the "right time" to explore joining the Church? More info: Lucy Arimond, Director of Adult Formation and Evangelization, at 651-415-3331 or arimond@stodilia.org.
Help us welcome our Muslim Guests at Mass
on Sunday, Sept. 18, 9:00 a.m.
Ever wished we could do something to build bridges between Christians and Muslims? Here's our chance.
During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan this summer, some St. Odilia parishioners participated in the Minnesota Council of Churches' project inviting Christians to attend a Ramadan iftar dinner at a local mosque, the Imam Husain Islamic Center. The mosque's speaker expressed a wish that a reciprocal visit to a Christian place of worship might be possible. All of this is in the hope of building greater connections and understanding between Christians and Muslims, people of good will in both faiths.
So we're stepping up to the plate; we're
 inviting members of that mosque to attend Mass here at St. Odilia on Sun., Sept. 18, at our regular 9:00 a.m. Mass. Then, after Mass,our guests will stay for coffee and donuts and informal conversations with St. Odilia parishioners. This is a family-friendly activity; children and youth are welcome to help along with their parents.
Interested in helping to welcome our visitors? Please contact Lucy Arimond, Director of Adult Formation & Evangelization, Arimond@stodilia.org, 651-415-3331. Co-sponsored by the Faith Formation Ministry Area Council and the Worship & Community Life Ministry Area Council.
NEW Fall Bible Study!
Breaking Bread with Jesus: Meals in the Gospels
When: Thursdays, Sept. 22 & 29 and Oct. 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: Courtyard or Cafeteria
Presenter: Arthur E. Zannoni
Registration: starting Sept. 1
 For Jesus, a meal was more than a way to fill his stomach. A meal was a way to teach about the love God was extending to all men and women, especially those most in need of God's message. This program will explore the meal stories in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) so as to provide participants with a better understanding of what it means to practice Christian fellowship. Join us for this new course, developed especially for St. Odilia.
About our presenter:
Arthur E. Zannoni is an award-winning freelance writer, scripture scholar, teacher, theologian, workshop leader and consultant in biblical studies and Christian-Jewish relations. He taught on the faculty of the School of Divinity of the University of St. Thomas from 1984-1991 and in the Murray Institute of the same University from 1991-1994. In 1985, along with Rabbi Max Shapiro, he helped establish the Center for Jewish-Christian Learning at the University of St. Thomas. He is a two-time recipient of the Uhrig Foundation award for excellence in teaching, and in 1993 received the Temple Israel Interreligious Award for his work promoting Catholic-Jewish dialogue in the Twin Cities. A prolific writer, he has published articles in Bible Today, the St. Anthony Messenger magazine, The Catechist, Catholic Update, Scripture from Scratch, and God's Word Today, as well as a monthly column for the Catholic Spirit. He is a regular contributor to the website www.pastoralplanning.com. Art is an engaging speaker and a master teacher who combines the best of scholarship with humor and clear explanation.
"What Catholics Believe" Series 2016-2017
Mother Teresa - "The Letters"
When: Tues., Oct. 4, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: Courtyard
 In September, Mother Teresa of Kolkata (Calcutta) will be canonized, formally recognizing her as St. Teresa. Exactly one month later, on October 4, we'll be celebrating the occasion by launching our "What Catholics Believe" series with a showing of "The Letters," William Riead's gripping movie based on the letters that St. Teresa wrote to her spiritual director, the Belgian Jesuit Fr. Celeste van Exem (whose birthday, as it happens, was Oct. 4). Mark your calendars now! Watch for future topics in our What Catholics Believe series.
Love to Read? Enjoy Conversations about Books?
Spirituality Book Club
Date: Third Thursday of the month, beginning Sept. 15, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Place: Grateful Table, 2804 Fairview Ave.
No registration needed - just show up!
St. Odilia has a great tradition of parishioner-led book clubs, meeting here at the church, in parishioners' homes, or at nearby libraries or restaurants. Some of the groups have been meeting for decades - they've been a treasured community connection. Our longtime "Spirituality Book Club" has switched to daytime meetings, on the third Thursday of every month, at a cozy, family-run restaurant just a couple of miles from here, in Roseville, and is inviting more parishioners to join them. At the Sept. meeting, they'll be choosing this year's books, so bring your suggestions. More info: Mary Jo Rourke, 651-483-1228, maryjoanrourke@q.com.
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Fall Festival 2016
Join us in the Courtyard after Masses on
August 20/21 & 27/28!
Fall Festival leaders will be there to answer all of your questions and help you with:
- Raffle Tickets Sales/Pick-up
- Quilt Ticket Sales
- Volunteer Sign-ups
- Kid's Course Registration
Enjoy refreshments hosted by Fall Festival Leadership!
Fall Jam:
Click HERE for the latest Fall Jam Schedule.
NEW at the Fall Jam this year: FREE AND EASY Band*, September 10, 8-10:30pm. *A cover charge applies. Click HERE for the flyer on this event you won't want to miss!
Help to Promote the Festival:
- Print out the Fall Festival flier and post on business and community bulletin boards in your area: Fall Festival Flier
- Display your Festival yard sign on your front lawn.
- Invite your friends and family!
Needs:
- The Silent Auction needs baskets. If you have any to donate those too can be dropped off in the Courtyard.
- Books, games, puzzles, DVDs, CDs, Cherry Tree toys for prizes (new or gently used), kid's games, can all be dropped off in the Courtyard.
NEW at the 2016 Festival:
- The Live Auction will have a "Buy It Now" option this year. You won't have to wait to bid for the item you have your eye on. You can just buy it now and avoid the competition.
- There will be Saturday AND Sunday BINGO and it will be held indoors in the Courtyard! You may even see Fr. Stiles calling the bingo numbers as he did last year.
- The "St. Odilia Sandwich" is piled high with pulled pork roasted for over ten hours. It's a secret recipe and a big "delia"!
Silent Auction Items:
The Silent Auction has been very successful in past years thanks to the donations given by so many of you. Please keep your donations coming!!! Donate a single item or put together a theme basket yourself or with a group to donate.
Live Auction Items: Summer is the perfect time to set aside items for this auction. See the complete List for items needed and drop off/pick-up information.
Fall Festival Quilt News:
Shangri La Quilt: This year the Fall Festival quilt is called  Shangri La" and was designed by Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar of Pine Tree Country Quilts. Despite its origins, this quilt is nowhere near country-style. Our quilt is made in a palette of teal blues and purples, with a little green and some other colors mixed in. A combination of batik and printed fabrics make this quilt unique and the white background fabric gives it a lively appearance. The finished quilt size is 100" X 112". The St. Odilia quilters will begin selling chances for the quilt at the Feast of St. Odilia Ice Cream Social on July 17. You can buy six chances for $5 or $1 apiece. Ticket sales will continue after all weekend Masses beginning two weeks before festival weekend and throughout the festival events.
 New this year! Fall Festival Mini Doll Quilt: What do quilters do with fabric scraps? Make another quilt! The St. Odilia quilters have made a 16" x 20" quilt from the leftover pieces and parts of this year's Fall Festival raffle quilt. It's a great size for use as a table topper or doll quilt. Chances for this quilt will be $0.50 apiece.
Kid's Course Registration:
- Click HERE to print out a form or get a form from the kiosk in Courtyard.
- Help kick off the Festival with this fun course geared for ages 1-12!
- Fr. Stiles will be joining in the fun! Cost is $8 for registration, t-shirt and game tickets!
Pick Up Your Raffle Tickets:
- Raffle tickets are $3 each. Pick up or purchase your tickets in the Courtyard the weekends of August 20/21 and 27/28.
- Raffle tickets will also be available for pick up on tables across from the parish office (alphabetized by last name) during the week and when they are not available in the Courtyard.
- Purchased tickets can be mailed in the envelope provided, dropped in the collection basket or dropped off at the festival with your payment. The drawing is 5:00pm on September 11 in the entertainment tent. All tickets must be in the barrel at 4:30pm on Sunday, September 11.
- If additional tickets are needed, please contact the parish office.
We are most grateful for the generous sponsorship of these businesses. If you are connected to a business and would like to make a Fall Festival donation please contact: Trish Brokman at: pbrokman@comcast.net
We thank our 2016 Fall Festival Bingo Sponsors:
- MN Catholic Credit Union
- Catholic United Financial
We thank our 2016 Fall Festival Raffle Sponsors:
- Anchor Bank
- Donna Vanneste, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Burnet)
- Eibensteiner Real Estate Group (Remax Results)
- Grandma's Bakery
- Impressive Print
- Knights of Columbus
- Little Venetian Restaurant
- Premier Bank
Mark your calendar for Fall Festival on Sept. 10 & 11, 2016!
We can use your gifts! Contact Trish at pbrokman@comcast.net or 612-743-9572 to find out how you can be involved!!!
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FALL FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER LINKS Join the fun!! Please consider volunteering your time and talent to our community FUNraiser. It's sooo easy to sign up...just click on one or more links below: |
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ST. ODILIA CHARITABLE OUTREACH
Cross Catholic Outreach:
Delivering food, shelter, hope in the name of Jesus.
July Green Envelopes:
As of July 24, 2016, our parish contributed $2,018.00 in the green envelopes marked "Charity". These green envelopes help to fund charitable organizations in our area for use in feeding, clothing, and sheltering those in need. Thank you for your generous donations to these charitable organizations.
August Green Envelopes:
Our August green envelopes are used for "Missionary Appeal" and will directly benefit Cross Catholic Outreach. On August 13 and 14 we welcomed Frs. Thomas Hunstiger and Steve LaCanne who spoke at all Masses on behalf of Cross Catholic Outreach which was founded to create a meaningful link between parishes in America and priests and nuns working in the church overseas in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Central and South America.
A second collection, for the mission, was taken up at all the Masses. You may use your August green envelope labeled "Missionary Appeal". Checks can be made payable to St. Odilia, with a note in the memo area: "Mission Appeal". Thank you for your prayerful support of the missionaries and the people they serve!
Did you misplace your green envelope?
You can still contribute to the St. Odilia Missionary Appeal. Just make the check out to St. Odilia with "St. Odilia Missionary Appeal" in the memo line.
If you would like to contribute directly to Cross Catholic Outreach and the ministries they serve, envelopes will be available in the back of church through the month of August. In this case, you would make your check out directly to "Cross Catholic Outreach".
If you'd like to make an additional one-time gift to our Sunday Debt and Facility Maintenance funds, you can click HERE.
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EXCITING MADRIGAL DINNER PLANS!
Hear Ye, Hear Ye, we announce an event coming to St. Odilia the likes of which will sate your appetite
and entertain you royally!
Madrigal Dinner December
9 & 10, 2016
- December 9 and 10, we will present our first Madrigal Dinner. This is a performance by people in Renaissance period garb who will entertain you over the course of your meal.
- The types of talents/skills/interests we are looking for are: singing, acting, costuming, food serving, tech area - sound & lighting, props, advertising/promoting/finance, magic, juggling, and certain instruments.
- Since we are presenting this for the first time we are building it from the ground up, so get on board for this exciting new event!
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CHOIR IS STARTING A NEW SEASON... COME AND JOIN US! FALL FESTIVAL CHOIR All are welcome to sing in the Fall Festival Choir on the weekend of Sept. 10/11 for the 5, 9, and 11 Masses. We will have two practices on Thursdays, Sept. 1 & Sept. 8 at 7:00pm in the church. It's a fun way to enjoy the Festival.
Come, Join the parish Choir! The St. Odilia Parish Choir is starting the new season. We welcome you to join our fun and vibrant group. The choir sings at the 9:00 Mass most Sundays from Sept. through May. Our first rehearsal is Thurs. night, Sept. 15, 7:30 - 9:00 in church. Come to a practice and try it out. We don't have auditions; all are welcome! More info about these choirs: Contact Dave Barkhymer, Music Director at 651-415-3346 or barkhymer@stodilia.org
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WORSHIP AND COMMUNITY LIFE Liturgical Ministers Needed! The 6:00pm Mass resumes on Sunday, September 18! If you plan to regularly worship at 6:00, we invite you to consider sharing your gifts as Projectionist, Usher, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Mass Sever or Mass Coordinator. Everyone is welcome! We also have many openings and opportunities at other Masses! Our most pressing needs are: - 5:00 pm: Projectionists
- 7:30 am: Projectionists, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers
Training will be provided. Please contact Kim Albrecht
Lectors & Mass Servers Desperately Needed!
We are in great need of Lectors at the 7:30am Mass and Mass Servers at the 9:00am Mass. Please contact Kim Albrecht in the Worship Office if you are interested in joining one of these ministries. Training will be provided. 651-415-3339 or Albrecht@stodilia.org.
Thank you,
Kim Albrecht, Director of Worship
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INTERESTED IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN? We are looking for people who might be interested in starting a community garden and/or people who can grow a little more at home to discuss these ideas for next year. Contact Jeanne at 651-341-0779 or mcculloughjeanne@yahoo.com
Also please continue to bring your fresh produce to Mass on Sundays along with your regular food shelf donations. The food is getting to people and families who need your support. Thank you and blessings.
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Tutor a child one on one in reading!
The East Side Learning Center is looking for volunteer tutors. This is a ministry supported by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. There are multiple sites serving more than 2,500 children. Click HERE for a brochure. More info: Lauren Johnson at 651-793-7364 or lauren.johnson@spps.org
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GROWING THROUGH LOSS Many people think grief and loss are only associated with death. There are, however, other kinds of loss that are not often acknowledged. Have you lost your job? Did your job take you to another city? Have you experienced a broken relationship?
St. Odilia is a member of the North Suburban Grief Coalition, an organization that lends support to those dealing with such losses as well as those from death. The "Growing Through Loss" series, consisting of meeting one evening a week for six weeks is held twice a year at participating churches. Each evening begins with a guest speaker who addresses some factors related to grief and loss and then small support groups are formed dealing with specific losses.
If you have experienced a death, divorce, suicide, or a transitional loss, this series could be for you.
The next series will begin Monday, September 19, 2016, at Incarnation Lutheran Church. If you would like more information visit www.growingthroughloss.org.
You can also call the Growing Through Loss hotline at 763-755-5335 or Deacon Jim at 651-415-3354. |
 ST. ODILIA SCHOOL IS IN THE NEWS!
St. Odilia School was featured in the Catholic School Center of Excellence (CSCOE) Magazine.
In early August, St. Odilia School was on the cover and featured in this bi-monthly magazine. What is CSOCE?
"The Catholic Schools Center of Excellence is a nonprofit organization with a simple two-part mission: to help Catholic elementary schools achieve and maintain excellence while increasing student enrollment. Our approach is to share innovative ideas, sound business practices, proven strategies and financial resources to help meet each school's specific business and academic needs. We believe that this approach will help our schools become self-sustaining for years into the future.
Despite a long history of success, enrollments in K-8 Catholic schools have been on the decline. The good news is that the momentum is shifting. A large group of community leaders, Catholic school alumni, parents, and enthusiastic supporters are rallying to reverse that trend and bring new hope, excitement, and energy to Catholic schools.
Catholic schools work. They are caring. They are community. They are known for academic excellence. And, they are celebrated for instilling moral values that children carry with themselves all their lives." Taken from www.CSOCE-mn.org
This article shows the success of our school and tells a story of our entire Catholic community thriving. To access the magazine electronically see the online version and here is the pdf version. There are also magazines at the back of the church.
For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact the school office at 651-484-3364.
- Brian Ragatz, Principal of St. Odilia School
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VIRTUS TRAINING SESSION AUG. 25 VIRTUS Training Session at St. Odilia Thursday, August 25, 2016 6:30pm in the Courtyard
Are you planning to become a NEW volunteer at St. Odilia? In our Archdiocese, all volunteers who have regular or unsupervised interaction with minors or vulnerable adults, must complete the "Essential 3" requirements prior to commencement of service. TheEssential 3 consists of signing a Volunteer Code of Conduct, completing a safe environment training course called VIRTUS: Protecting God's Children program and undergoing a background check.
- To register to become a volunteer at St. Odilia and complete the Essential 3: Click HERE to print out the Volunteer Packet that includes complete instructions for completing the Essential 3 requirements.
- Next, visit www.virtus.org. You will create a personal Virtus account and register for the Virtus class to ensure that your attendance is counted and the archdiocese can contact you if your session is canceled. If the August St. Odilia session does not work with your schedule, you will have the opportunity to select another session at another location. There are many sessions scheduled. You can register for any session outside your parish/school (except for sessions only for employees or volunteers of the hosting institution).
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 CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL FOUNDATION UPDATE
We invite you to continue your support to these ministries in 2016. Our parish goal remains the same as last year at $109,599. Every gift matters, so please prayerfully consider your gift. Thank you for your continued support of the Catholic Services Appeal. These are the ministries served by the Appeal:
- American Indian Ministry
- Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW)
- Campus Ministry - Newman Center
- Campus Ministry - Saint Paul's Outreach
- Catholic Charities
- Deaf Ministry
- Elementary Schools
- Evangelization and Catechesis
- High Schools
- Hospital Chaplains
- Latino Ministry
- Marriage, Family and Life
- Parishes
- Prison Chaplains
- Saint John Vianney College Seminary
- The Saint Paul Seminary
- Venezuelan Mission
The total for pledged and received continues to grow and is now
To donate online through the CSAF website click HERE.
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ST. ODILIA WEEKLY CHURCH BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR YOU! You can read the St. Odilia weekly church bulletins via the online links on the St. Odilia website.
You can even subscribe to have the links to the bulletin delivered to your email each week. Click HERE to find out more from the Parishesonline website.
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COMMUNITY CONNECTION REMINDERS
The monthly Community CONNECTION includes a selection of timely announcements and articles. In addition, you may occasionally receive special notices.
- Click "SafeUnsubscribe" at the end of the email
if you wish to no longer receive the Community CONNECTION. - Update your email address by clicking "Update Profile/Email Address" at the end of the email.
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