[Faith-talk] just venting about something here

[Fr. John Sheehan]

Two thoughts - 

One, you have to remember that some people are shy, they don't easily go up and greet strangers, even in church. And some are even more uncertain about how to greet someone who is blind - or has some other physical difficulty. 

The other thought - it is also easier if the newcomer himself or herself makes the effort to meet people. When the regular member sees the newcomer talking with someone they know, it's easier for them to come and join the conversation. Or for the newcomer to be introduced around. Sometimes as the new person, you have to start the ball rolling. I'm sure you've had it take place, that when someone meets you, they start talking VERY LOUDLY and you have to remind them that you're blind, not deaf. Sometimes people need to be gently taught and led along. 

Be patient and gentle and people will get to know you. If they don't know much about the blind, it becomes your call to show them. Remember, you may be the first blind person some of them will have met or talked with. 

 Fr. John R. Sheehan, SJ
Chairman


Xavier Society for the Blind
154 East 23rd St
New York, NY 10010
(212) 473-7800
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________________________________
From: pat gormley <kk3f at msn.com>
To: "Faith-talk, for the discussion of faith and religion" <faith-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2009 11:44:51 AM
Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] just venting about something here

andrew this is a fairly typical situation you are finding yourself in.  What 
kind of church is it because some churches have people who are assigned to 
greet new people.  Although my particular catholic church doesn't have a 
greeter per se, we do make an effort to welcome visitors and new people.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andrew Edgcumbe" <andrewjedg at gmail.com>
To: <Faith-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 11:58 AM
Subject: [Faith-talk] just venting about something here


> Hi all
>
> It is Andrew.
> I have been appart of this group for a long time now.
>
> I just want to vent about something here.
>
> I been feeling that blind people are getting treated very unfairly and
> it is happening in our churches today.  It is just not christ like.
> I am  tired of having  false judgementsbeing put against me and other
> blind people.
> I been having a hard time fitting in sometimes. It is gods call as a
> christian that everybody to except each other even when they have a
> dis ability.
> If an unbeliever comes into a church and sees people not
> intweracting with somebody who has a dis ability the unbeliever will
> think that the church is no different than the world and just walk out
> the door and chances are they won't come back.
>
>
>
> I just have a hard time with these things churches are blind to what
> blind people can do and how a blind person can  be appart of things.
>
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