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NEWSLETTER
Xavier Society for the Blind
MERRY
CHRISTMAS!!!
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Vol. 2 No. 12
December 2011
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WHAT'S NEW AT XSB!!!!
Our Newsletter this month is early because soon everyone will be too busy to read Newsletters, and because we have a concert on the 10th of December, AND because we wanted to remind you that you can order owls or CDs on the web site and still get them delivered in time for Christmas. (No charge for delivery!)
Our web address is:
www.xaviersocietyfortheblind.org
And of course, if you would like to make a donation that will be credited for your 2011 tax returns, now is the time to stuff the stocking.
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THIS IS HOW WE SPREAD THE WORD
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To spread the word about the Xavier Society, we go to many places. In addition to the concerts and talks that Father John does, other staff get involved as well. In November, Kathleen Lynch and Manuel Albino went to Sirius Radio for a Saturday morning interview on a Spanish language program. (Yes, they both speak Spanish.)
National Catholic Reporter also carried a front page article on the Xavier Society, and this is the link that will take you to that article, if you paste it into your browser.
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ANOTHER WINNER - ANOTHER LUNCH!
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One of the most popular items at our annual Silent Auction at the New York Athletic Club is lunch with a celebrity. One of our celebrities this year was Carliss Retif Pond, well-known author of cookbooks and a celebrity chef in her own right. Wearing the blue scarf, she is joined by Marge Duffy (on her right) who made the winning bid, and three of Marge's friends. Lunch was at the Cornell Club, and when the chef learned who was in the dining room, he paid special attention to the menu. It was a wonderful lunch, a delicious meal, and everyone had a delightful afternoon.
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| BE OUR FRIEND | 
The Xavier Society for the Blind is on Facebook, and we would like you to be our "Friend." Find us, and "like" us. It helps us get more exposure, and if you "share" some of our news items or articles with your FB friends, more and more people will learn about us and what we do. (And it won't cost us anything!)
You can help spread the word about who we are and what we do without ever leaving home. Thank you for helping us, and sharing us with your friends.
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Wounded Warrior to Win Free Trip
to the National Convention of the
NFB
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The National Association of Blind Veterans (NABV), a division of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), has announced a free lottery for wounded warriors who have lost their sight during Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. The winner will receive a free trip to Dallas, Texas, to attend the national convention of the NFB, which will take place from June 30-July 5, 2012.
Dwight Sayer, president of the NABV, explained, "All too often, blind veterans, and wounded warriors need basic mobility training, experiential and vocational advice, and the realization that they are not alone. At the NFB convention, there are around three thousand people, most of them blind or with low vision, and many with tremendous success stories to help encourage someone who is coming to grips with his or her blindness. We also have a group of blind veterans, who understand in a special way both where the vet is coming from and what he or she is going through."
The first prize will include airfare to the convention for the winner and a companion, hotel accommodations, the convention registration fee and a banquet ticket, and the opportunity to meet and spend time with a whole organization of blind veterans. Entry to the contest is available on the National Association of Blind Veterans Web site and there is no charge to enter. Only one entry per person is permitted.
For more information about the contest or the National Association of Blind Veterans, please visit http://www.nabv.org or call Dwight Sayer at (407) 877-8668.
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CLOSING THOUGHTS
Our NFL Superbowl Raffle has ended and the winners have been drawn and notified. If you have NOT heard from us, it means you did not win. But Thank You, because taking part meant that you have helped the Xavier Society for the Blind, and we are very grateful.
It has been an active and a rewarding year. We have produced the new translation of the Bible in all formats, as well as pew cards for the new translation of the Mass prayers, we finalized the move to all digital recordings and we celebrate an increase in the number of people we serve. We were in attendance at the American Council of the Blind Convention for the first time, and continue to have a good relationship with the National Federation of the Blind. During this year, I also got to spend time in sleep shades, learning some of the basic skills need to function as a real blind person. As 2011 comes to a close, we have many reasons to be thankful, and all of you who are friends and supporters are very much in my prayer of Thanksgiving. You will be remembered in the novena of Masses I traditionally celebrate during the Christmas season.
I am available to help out at local parishes, to help spread the word about what the Xavier Society is doing. In the same way, I am also available to speak at schools, luncheons or service organizations on some aspects from my training about the many things blind people can do, a presentation that is funny, educational and perhaps even inspirational. There is no charge, so if you know of a school or group (Rotary? Lions Club? Optimist? Kiwanis? VFW?) that would enjoy having something different, please don't hesitate to have them contact me.
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, "like" us on Facebook, and thank you for being a friend of the Xavier Society for the Blind.
Merry Christmas, and a most Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
 | | I am also Chaplain for American Legion Post 2001, the 9-11 Memorial Post. |
Fr. John R. Sheehan, SJ
Xavier Society
for the Blind
Phone: (212) 473-7800
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WE'RE ON YELP!!
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We're not a restaurant or a hotel or even a tourist attraction. But if you would like to write a review on how we're doing, we are on Yelp, the online service that provides reviews.
Go to the Yelp site (www.yelp.com) and search for Xavier Society and it will take you to the place where you can write a review or make a comment.
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EVERY LITTLE CLICK
CAN MEAN MONEY FOR US
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You would like to help the Xavier Society for the Blind, but you don't have much money. Maybe you don't have ANY money! You can still help, and give us money every time you search for something on the internet.
Help us raise money for the Xavier Society for the Blind just by searching the Internet or shopping online with GoodSearch - www.goodsearch.com - powered by Yahoo! Free for you - and money for us!
You register (no charge) and list the Xavier Society for the Blind as your charity. You get a tool bar for your computer, and each time you search for something, you use the toolbar and make sure our name appears. We get a small amount for each search you do, and if enough people use this system, it can be a LARGE amount of money.
No cost to you, and a great help for us.
If you have any questions, call us and ask for Manuel or Donald, and they will help walk you through it.
Thank you.
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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 Order 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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FACTS ABOUT THE XSB
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"I mean no disrespect, but it seems you are always asking about money, or asking FOR money."
You are absolutely correct, and we apologize if it seems that we spend too much time talking about money.
Since we were founded in 1900, we have a tradition of not charging for our services. All the braille and audio and even large-print that we create, we send to our clients at no charge. As everyone knows, the financial market has been seriously hit over the last several years, and the value of portfolios has been reduced by as much as 45% in some cases.
We have always existed because of the generosity of people who thought that what we are doing is important. When the day comes that we are no longer able to pay our bills through the gifts of others, we will very quickly be faced with the prospect of closing our doors or changing our mission. That is not a cheery thought for a Christmas Newsletter, but it is the hard, economic truth. We exist because other people are willing to support us and keep us alive.
So we keep reminding people of that. We try not to do it too much, but in these hard economic times, when so many good and worthwhile groups are in financial straits, we don't dare be silent. If people simply forget about us because they are overwhelmed with other cries for help, we will cease to exist. We would love nothing more than to get a major gift from the Bloomberg Foundation, or the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation (or just to
 win the lottery!). You would never hear us ask for money again. But until that day - please continue to remember us and support us and send us what you can.
To learn more about how you can get involved with the Xavier Society for the Blind, or to get 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 at:
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CALENDARS ARE HERE!
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The 2012 calendars have arrived, and if you are on our regular mailing list, you should have received yours by now. If you are NOT on our list, and would like a calendar, or if you would like extra copies, please let us know, and we will send them out to you.
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| ADOPT AN OWL FOR CHRISTMAS | 
The owl is the unofficial mascot of the Xavier Society for the Blind, and we have two cute versions who would be delighted to keep you company during the Christmas holidays and afterwards.
The white barn owl above has great long wings, perfect for enveloping you or a loved one with a Christmas hug. The smaller, but equally adorable brown owl has smaller wings, and so needs you to hug him (or her).
The white owl can be yours for a donation of $75, and the brown owl for a gift of $35. We pay for the shipping. They can be adopted online at our web site (www.xaviersocietyfortheblind.org) or by calling (212) 473-7800. Or follow this link directly: http://bit.ly/h9JNpi
(You may have to paste this into your browser.)
Don't let these cute little guys be all alone for Christmas!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
LET THERE BE LIGHT!
A Concert in Honor of St. Lucy
4 PM - Saturday, December 10
Scandinavia House - 58 Park Avenue
A wine and light hors d'oeuvre reception
will follow the concert
General Admission $40 - tickets available at the door
Music includes operatic arias, Broadway show tunes, jazz, cabaret and folk songs from several countries. Great fun for all the family.
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DECEMBER 13 - Mass for the Feast of St. Lucy,
Patron Saint of the Blind.
St. Patrick's Cathedral, 6:30 PM
DECEMBER 19 - CONCERT FOR THE END OF THE YEAR
NY Public Library, 6:30 PM
5th Avenue and 41st Street
Free Admission
For more information on these or any events, please contact our office or check our web site.
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Now On
Our Web Site |
The good news is that all four of Father John's CD's are now available on our web site. CDs are $15, or a set of all four for $50. Price includes shipping and handling. You may also order any combination of CDs at a discount of 2 for $25, but we are only able to handle those orders over the phone. Available are:
Father John Sings Sacred Songs
16 of your favorite sacred songs, including Ave Maria, O Holy Night, Panis Angelicus and How Great Thou Art.
 The Several Sides of Father John
Includes operatic arias, Broadway show tunes with full
orchestral accompaniment, and the song Fr. John's father
sang to his new bride at their wedding breakfast.
Father John LIVE in Concert
Recorded at several live concerts in different places, the
songs reflect the electricity of live performance,
with Fr. John singing in 8 different languages.
 Amo, Amas, Amat Have Yourself A LATIN Little Christmas
19 Christmas carols, all sung in Latin, including not only
"traditional" favorites but also Frosty the Snowman,
Rudolph and White Christmas. A word book is included
so you can sing along (and there is a braille version available as well).
Fr. John is joined by soprano Christina Holms, pianist Woody Regan,
jazz guitarist Bill Wurtzel, and cellist Marisol Lynch.
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Go to: www.xaviersocietyfortheblind.org
(Go to the "Contributions" page)
or call (212) 473-7800 to place your orders.
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| Secure Server |
On our web site, we have a secure server connection. This means you can contribute money to the Xavier Society using your credit card in perfect safety. When you get to the web site, 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.)
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