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 NEWSLETTER
Xavier Society for the Blind |
Vol. 2 No. 3
March 2011 |
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Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Happy St. Joseph's Day!
And welcome to Lent.
If you are on our mailing list, you may already have received our Lenten Appeal letter. If you have not, and would like to see it, email or call us,and we will mail you one. Or you can check our web site or our Facebook page, where it can also be found.
It's a busy time for us. In the next two weeks, we have a meeting of our Board of Directors and a dinner hosted by the March 17 Society honoring Margaret Coffey, one of the founders of the Xavier Society for the Blind. Father John is singing a concert on March 20 at Scandinavia House, and will be marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. We have our "Stars for Their Eyes" benefit on March 28, and the regular work of the Xavier Society goes on each and every day.
Thank you for your interest in our work, and thank you for your support. |
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MARCH BENEFIT FOR THE XSB
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 On March 28, at Playwrights Horizons Theatre on 42nd Street in Manhattan, we will be hosting an evening of song and theatre to benefit the Veterans Outreach Program of the Xavier Society for the Blind.
Elaine Stritch is the Chair of our Celebrity Committee, a group that includes Abe Vigoda, Joyce Randolph, Michael Badalucco, and Hawthorne James. Those who have agreed to perform include Raissa Katona Bennett from the Broadway stage, Julie Diniz, Christina Holms and Ron Madden from the world of opera, and Bill Wurtzel, one of the great jazz guitarists in New York. We also have a couple of surprises we have promised not to leak out. A special feature will be a performance by the Liberty Belles, from the USO of Metropolitan New York. There will be celebrities in the audience, members of the Armed Forces Wounded Warriors as our guests, and delicious light food and exotic drink in addition to the wonderful entertainment.
Tickets for the event are $150 general admission, $250 for Patrons. (Patron ticket includes a listing in the program, reserved seating, a Gift Bag and the opportunity to meet the performers privately.)
Reservations are currently being accepted, and tickets can be purchased on line at our web site. Playwrights Horizons is a small theatre so make sure you have your tickets reserved.
For more information, visit the website, or call Christine or Rick at (212) 473-7800.
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FACTS ABOUT THE XSB
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"Why do you have a website? Most of your clients are blind and can't read what's on your site."
First of all, many who are blind are very active with computers and online activities. Screen readers like JAWS make it possible for the blind to have access to many sites on the web.
Second, our website now has a special section restricted only for those who have signed up to use our services, where they can order books, change their addresses or contact information
(including their email!), and most recently, where they can download our periodicals directly from our site to their computers. In a short time, we also hope to be able to offer library books in the same way.
Many of our clients are not completely blind, but have limited vision or some other condition which means they cannot deal with traditional print. They can often use and enjoy things on the web.
And finally, the Xavier Society has friends and people interested in what we do (friends and families of those who are blind, for example) and they also can explore and take advantage of things on our website.
For instance, right now contributors can give us their donations online, people who want to attend our March 28 benefit can buy their tickets online, and people who want to take part in our Adopt An Owl program can adopt these adorable stuffed animals online.
Our website lets people reach out to us 24/7, and we are delighted that so many people are discovering and using it.
For more information about what we are doing and providing, please visit our web site at:
www.xaviersocietyfortheblind.org or for more specific information or questions (or to volunteer), send us an email
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CLOSING THOUGHTS
I got a note the other day from an old friend from college, letting me know that another friend from those days was in Brooklyn. I hadn't spoken to this other person in years, and we emailed and talked on the phone, and we're shortly getting together for lunch.
I was delighted to connect with someone from my past - but I also confess that I found myself wondering if this person might be able to help the Xavier Society for the Blind.
I do a lot of different things here in New York. I sing at concerts and at other places, I am chaplain for several groups, and I am involved in a number of different clubs and organizations. I enjoy meeting new people and learning about new things, and I think it is important to be able to help others in ways large and small. But in each case, I find myself asking the same question, "How can they/he/she help the Xavier Society for the Blind?"
As you read this edition of the Newsletter, please ask yourself the same question. Some help by writing checks. Some help by giving us their time and expertise. Some are wonderful helpers simply by introducing us to new people.
If you would like to volunteer, or would just like to learn more about what we do, please feel free to call us, send an e-mail or a letter, or drop in for a personal visit. If you know someone who could use our services, please recommend us to them. Visit our web site, and thank you for being a friend of the Xavier Society for the Blind.
Sincerely, Fr. John R. Sheehan, SJ Xavier Society for the Blind Phone: (212) 473-7800 |
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A NEW SERVICE FOR OUR USERS
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We are delighted to announce that we now can offer direct download of our periodicals to users who log in to our web site.
If you are already a client, just log in as you usually do and follow the instructions. If you have not yet signed up and you are eligible to receive our free services, here is one more good reason to see what we have to offer.
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| DOUBLE OUR MONEY | |
Of course, any contributions made to the Xavier Society for the Blind are tax-deductible. But if your company has a corporate sharing or a matching gifts program, we get even more from your gift.
And when you are planning for the future, it only takes a moment to remember the Xavier Society for the Blind in your will.
For assistance and more information, please call Manuel at (212) 473-7800. |
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| OUR WEB SITE | |
The web site for the Xavier Society for the Blind was made possible by a generous grant from the Knights of Malta, and we thank them for their support of our work.
The web site is designed to be accessible to screen reading programs, and those who have registered with the XSB have a special section where they can make address changes, order books from the library and download or sign up to receive periodicals. For more information on how to register, or how to get online, contact
clientservices@xaviersocietyfortheblind.org
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March 17 Society to Honor Margaret Coffey
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Margaret Coffey was one of the group of women who founded what was to become the Xavier Society for the Blind. She was an extraordinary woman, who later would also be involved in founding a school to help the blind. Many have likened her life and accomplishments to those of Annie Sullivan, long-time companion of Helen Keller.
The March 17 Society is this year going to honor Margaret Coffey, as an Irish American whose life "truly reflects St. Patrick's legacy of faith and courage." Fr. John Sheehan, SJ and Executive Director Kathleen Lynch have been invited to attend the dinner, and Fr. John will both offer a few remarks and sing a few songs.
Past honorees have included Terence Cardinal Cooke, Sr. Ita Ford, M.M., Anne Buckley and most recently, Venerable Solanus Casey, OFM. Cap.
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| Our Sponsors | BE A SPONSOR?
Would you like to sponsor an edition of our E-newsletter? Sponsors will be named and have space for a logo and a short message, and a direct link to their site. For more information, email:
Chairman@
xaviersocietyfortheblind.org
Opportunities also exist to underwrite recordings and books in our library, and to help sponsor activities for the Xavier Society for the Blind. Contact us for more information. |
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2011 Calendars |  | |
It is never too late for a good calendar. And ours (we say humbly) is terrific. Informative, colorful, with space to actually write your dates and important appointments, it is also FREE.
(We even pay the postage.)
with your mailing address, and we will see that one gets sent out immediately.
If anyone would like additional calendars (for friends or family, or to make available at your parish, your office or other places where people gather) please contact us and let us know how many you would like.
There is no charge for the calendar (although contributions are ALWAYS welcome).
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AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED
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 | | Last year, lunch with Michael Badalucco at the Players Club had spirited bidding. |
The annual Benefit Reception and Silent Auction at the New York Athletic Club will take place on May 17th. The Online Auction will go live on April 11th. If you have items you would like to donate for our auction, please contact Christine at (212) 473-7800 or email us. Items should be new, or of particular value or historical interest. Tickets to Broadway shows, sporting events and opera performances are always valuable, as are items that give access to unusual events or services. Sports memorabilia is popular (as long as authenticity can be verified). In the past, for example, lunch with a celebrity, a cruise on a private boat or a backstage visit after attending a Broadway show have sparked a lot of interest. Jewelry is a wonderful donation. Last year Father John offered to shave his beard for $5,000 and he did! If you're not sure about an item, call us and we can help you to decide what you might donate. And mark May 17 on your calendar, so you can come in person to bid and enjoy a delightful evening at the New York Athletic Club. | |
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ROME, ANYONE?
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Now that the new translation of the Bible has been officially released, the Xavier Society for the Blind is going to present a full Braille edition of the Bible to the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference, and to the Vatican Library. We are also planning to have a special edition of the four Gospels bound, to be presented to the Holy Father Pope Benedict.
The Holy Father does not give many private audiences, and it is unlikely we would be able to obtain one. There is a possibility (not guaranteed) that we might be able to make a presentation at one of the Wednesday General Audiences.
We are wondering if people might be interested in going on a 7-day pilgrimage to Rome, knowing that the presentation might not take place. We would have a chance to explore Rome, and celebrate Mass at some of the great sites in Christian history. We would be at a Wednesday audience, and if we were fortunate enough to be able to present the Gospels to the Holy Father, that would be an additional blessing.
We have only started to explore this possibility. If you would be interested in hearing more about this trip and possibly accompany us, please send an email to:
chairman@xaviersocietyfortheblind.org
Many thanks.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS | |
March 20 - "Broadway to Murray Hill" A Concert to benefit
the Murray Hill Association at Scandinavia House, Park
Avenue between 37 and 38 St. 4 PM. $35
March 28- XSB Spring Benefit at Playwrights Horizons
Theatre.
April 11- Online Auction opens for bidding.
May 17- The Benefit Reception and Auction
at the New York Athletic Club.
Summer Golf Outing - The date has not been fixed but a group
of volunteers is already at work picking the best golf course
and arranging a fun day. As soon as details are available, we
will announce them here. If you would like to be added to a
and you will receive advance notice of any event.
Note: Because of the recent troubles in the Middle East, the pilgrimage planned for Jordan and Israel has been suspended and an alternate journey is being investigated.
For more information on these or any events, please contact our office or check our web site.
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| Secure Server |
On our web site, we have a secure server connection. This means you can buy tickets for events or contribute money to the Xavier Society using your credit card in perfect safety. When you get to the web site, in the are named "Contributions," there is a button "Donate." If you click on that, you will be taken to the Secure Server area where you can make any contribution in complete safety. (If the server is not working, please call our office at 212 473-7800 and ask for Manuel.) To adopt an owl or buy a ticket for an event, there are orange buttons available throughout the web site, usually as part of the article about the event. Clicking on that button will take you to the secure order page.
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