Local clergy 'sit-out' in support of St Vincent de Paul
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Emma Fitzgerald and Gerry O’Brien provided the musical entertainment at the ‘Black Santa’ launch at Saint Mary’s Church of Ireland. PHOTOs: ODHRAN DUCIE Odhran DucieImage 2 of 3
The ‘Black Santa’ launch took place at Saint Mary’s Church of Ireland in Nenagh and this year’s recipients of funds will be the Nenagh Conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul. Odhran DucieImage 3 of 3
Fr Pat Gilbert, Ruth Matthews and Rev Paul Fitzpatrick at the ‘Black Santa’ launch at Saint Mary’s Church of Ireland. Odhran DucieMembers of the local clergy will be donning black capes again this week as part of a Christmas fundraiser for the local Society of St Vincent de Paul.
The ‘Black Santa Sit-out’ is inspired by the Reverened Dean Sammy Crooks, who in the run-up to Christmas 1976 sat on the steps outside Belfast Cathedral and appealed for people to donate money to charity. Dubbed ‘Black Santa’ by the media because he wore a black Anglican clerical cloak to protect him from the elements, the sit-out became a tradition that has been continued by successive deans in Belfast over the four decades since.
It is an idea that has caught on in several other parts of the country over the years. Nenagh's first Black Santa sit-out was planned in 2020 by former Rector Rev Rod Smyth in response to the pandemic, which saw most of the traditional fundraising events cancelled.
This year's sit-out will again take place outside the old Dunnes Stores at the Market Cross from Wednesday to Friday, December 21 to 23. Among those involved will be Rev Paul Fitzpatrick, Fr Pat Gilbert, Ruth Matthews (North Tipperary Circuit of the Methodist Church), Fr Michael Geraghty and Fr Rexon Chullickal.
Formally launching the event at St Mary's Church of Ireland last Friday, Rev Paul Fitzpatrick welcomed the support of Superintendent Ollie Baker and the local gardaí. He spoke of the great spirit of volunteerism in Nenagh and thanked everyone involved in organising the Black Santa event, including Jack Bayly, Philly Ryan, all of the musicians, the local media and his fellow clergy.
Also among the speakers was Harry Martin, President of Nenagh SVP, who hoped the people of Nenagh would once again be able to give generously to the needy at this difficult time of the year.
The sit-out will take place between 2 and 5pm each day. The Ormond Brass Band will play on Wednesday and Friday. Singer Gerry O'Brien and friends will perform on Wednesday, while musicians Donie and Emma Fitzgerald will add to the atmosphere on Tuesday. Donations for the Society of St Vincent de Paul can be made on each day.