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NEWSLETTER
Xavier Society for the Blind
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Vol. 3 No. 3
March 2012
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 WHAT'S NEW AT XSB!!!!
Green is the color of the month, in honor of the celebration St. Patrick. We also have more news about our upcoming event at the NY Athletic Club, and an exciting offer in conjunction with the good folks at Truth & Life about their dramatized version of the New Testament. Word is there is a basketball tournament going on, and if you have a friend who is visually impaired, this link will take you to an accessible bracket for the NCAA tournament: We bid farewell to our longest serving Board member, and we introduce you to a book that shows new ways to create breakfast. And we give you a sneak preview of some of the items that will be available when the online Auction opens on April 9th and we'll ask you if you have anything to donate.
We may be in the middle of Lent, (and remember, the daily reflections based on the writings of C.S. Lewis are available each day at the web site) but we are already looking forward to Easter and beyond. Thank you for being a friend of the Xavier Society for the Blind. Our web address is: www.xaviersocietyfortheblind.org |
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JOIN US AT THE NYAC
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Are you superstitious? For many people, the number 13 is actually lucky. Fr. John, for instance, was born on a Friday the 13th, was ordained a priest on June 13th, and of course, December 13 is the feast day of St. Lucy, patron saint of the blind.
This year we will celebrate the 13th time we come together for an elegant reception at the New York Athletic Club, to celebrate the work of (and raise money for) the Xavier Society for the Blind. The reception hosts a Silent Auction, and there is also an online auction that starts on April 9th, at www.BiddingforGood.com/xaviersociety
It all takes place the day after Mother's Day, and what better way to celebrate than to give your wife or mother a ticket to this special event. More information will be forthcoming, and invitations will be out shortly. But mark your calendars, save the date, and make your plans, so you don't miss this annual - and very lucky - event. If you don't want to wait for the invitation, use this link to go directly to the page where you can order your tickets for the event: http://bit.ly/xpvU1q (You may need to paste this link into your browser in order to be taken to the ordering page.) |
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THANK YOU, MICHAEL MULHALL
|  Mr. Michael Mulhall joined the Board of Directors in 2003, when Fr. Al Caruana was the Executive Director and Fr. Joe Latella was in charge of fund-raising. He was a tower of strength when Fr. Al died unexpectedly, and he agreed to become the first Chairman when we formed a Finance Committee. He brought his expertise to managing and analyzing our finances, and has been the creator of more good ideas than we can count. Our By-Laws call for a maximum of 9 years for any Board member, and it is with sincere regret and many best wishes that we bid him a farewell. |
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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.
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
In the last Newsletter, I announced in this column that we would be cutting back on some of our outside activities. Our Board of Directors is currently working very hard at examining ways to cut back on expenses, and at the same time find new ways to provide services to the community of the blind and visually-impaired. But as we explore these possibilities, we are most definitely having the reception and silent auction at the New York Athletic Club, and we are most definitely continuing to provide services.
It is no news to anyone that times are tough, and will probably remain so in the immediate future. Contributions continue to be critical, and the success of the event in May is very important. And we may be faced with having to take more measures in the future. We are very grateful for the support that we have received from so many people in the past, and we continue to pray each day for the new challenges that may come in the future.
In the meantime, though, we continue to spread the word about the Xavier Society for the Blind. I am still available to help out at local parishes, and to talk to groups about what we are doing. I am pleased to speak at schools, luncheons or service organizations on what I learned 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 or service organization that would enjoy something different, please don't hesitate to have them contact me.
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.
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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| 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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"In the past you have talked about how important braille is today. What about your other services? Can't the blind today get large print and audio from many other sources?"
That's a very good question, and one we have been spending a lot of time examining. Certainly it is convenient to have XSB prepare materials and make them available in large print and audio, and there may be cases where individuals might not otherwise be able to afford obtaining these from other sources.
At the same time, it is true that with computers and many kinds of magnifiers, it is increasingly easy for those with visual limitations to meet their needs. In the same way, e-books, tablets and other devices including computers have text to speech functions that open whole new worlds of accessibility. More and more people are using downloads to get audio materials, for instance.
The Xavier Society for the Blind has always been open to finding new ways to be of service to the blind community, and in the future, it may be that we will again explore new technologies or services. We are always trying to be of greater service to more people in the best possible ways.
To learn more about how you can get involved with the Xavier Society for the Blind, how you can help spread the word, 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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| 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! Or you either.)
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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| BREAKFAST FANTASIES | 
Bill Wurtzel is arguably one of the best jazz guitarists in all of New York City. (And he will once again be playing at our Reception and Silent Auction at the New York Athletic Club on May 14th.)
But his creativity doesn't stop at his fingerboard, and he has two books out designed to made breakfast more fun, the Breakfast for Claire Picture Book and the Breakfast for Claire Children's Book. (Claire is his wife of 49 years.)
The book contains over 300 breakfast creations, in addition to health and nutrition tips, and suggestions on how to make your breakfast look as good as his pictures. If you really get excited, there is even a t-shirt.
For more information, and to order the books and shirt, go to
and look for the "Breakfast for Claire" link. An autographed set of the books will be one of the items at the May event as well.
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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!!
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The Kilted Chef again offers a privately catered dinner for 6 as one of the items in our auction for 2012.
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Beautiful scarves from Hermes, gift certificates at some of New York's finest and most unusual restaurants, tickets to theatre, concerts and sporting events, original ballots from the Heisman awards, Notre Dame memorabilia, a signed Marcel Marceau poster from his last public appearance - these are only some of the items we already have for the 2012 Auction.
Some items will be sold on line - some will only be available at the event on May 14th - and some will start the bidding on line but will be available for additional bidding at the event. (Last year, some of the most exciting items went to on line bidders.)
 | | A Lalique vase, valued at over $2,500, is one of the auction items available. |
Tickets to the event are now available on line, or by calling our office. On line bidding begins on April 9th, and will run until May 4th. Bidders may indicate how they are willing to bid once the online auction closes, and they can thus take part in the event bidding without having to be present.
On April 9th, the On Line auction will be open, and may be reached at:
www.Biddingforgood.com/xaviersociety
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THE NEW TESTAMENT COMES ALIVE
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Produced by Raymond Arroyo (NY Times bestselling author, broadcast journalist) and Carl Amari (award-winning radio show producer), Truth & Life is a dramatized reading of the New Testament involving over 70 actors. This 18-CD 22-hour series brings the New Testament to life in a wholly new and captivating way.
This production has been endorsed by the Vatican, bears the imprimatur of the archbishop of New York, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, and includes a special forward by Pope Benedict XVI.
Through a special arrangement with the producers, we are able to offer this extraordinary edition to you as a Thank You gift for any contribution of $75 or more between now and July. (This only applies to gifts made afte
r March 17, 2012.)
You can sign up for this special offer by going to the following link
or by indicating with your check that you wish a copy of Truth & Life.
This is a limited offer, so please don't wait too long, or you may miss out on receiving this very special way of hearing the words of the New Testament in a new and thrilling way.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, March 16 - Les Lieber's 100th Birthday Party
At the National Arts Club, from Noon to 2
Jazz at Noon - This event is sold out.
Saturday, March 17 - 8:30 AM
Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in honor of St. Patrick
Monday, April 9 - Online Auction opens
Online Auction closes on May 4 at 5 PM
Tuesday, April 24 - Staten Island Rotary
Fr. John is the Guest Speaker
May 4-5 - Vatican Conference on the Church and Non-
Sighted Peoples. Fr. Sheehan will present a paper at the Vatican as part of the conference.
Monday, May 14 - Reception and Silent Auction at the New York Athletic Club July 1-5 - National Convention in Dallas National Federation of the Blind |
July 6 - 13 - National Convention in Louisville
American Council of the Blind
August 20-23 - National Convention in Galveston
Blinded Veterans Association
August 24-30 - National Convention in Indianapolis
American Legion
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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