The annual ecumenical Christmas fast outside St. Iberius Church,Wexford, which has raised over €500,000 for charity began on Wednesday morning last.
Catholic parish administrator Fr. Jim Fegan will be joined by Georgina Rothwell, a member of the Church of Ireland community in the absence of Reverend Maria Janssen who recently became Dean of Waterford.
Among the charities which will benefit this year are the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Wexford Women’s Refuge.
‘It depends on how much we raise. Both these organisations have seen an increase in demand due to the recession,’ said Fr. Fegan whose involvement with the fast began in 1997. ‘ They are at the coalface of those in need.’ In the past 14 years, the fast founded by the late Reverend Norman Ruddock, has raised over €500,000 for various charities.
Last year, the four-day fast which ends on Christmas Eve, raised a massive €42,000.
‘People were under financial pressure as well last year but they still gave very generously,’ said Fr. Fegan.
‘If you remember, there was a huge fall of snow on the first day and the town came to a standstill but we still collected €6,500 which was amazing.’ ‘People are unbelievably generous,’ he said. ‘ The real spirit of Christmas is about a sense of giving and looking out for one another.’
‘A recession brings things back to basics. People realise that while things are bad generally, there are people worse off than them.’
‘I believe that we will come out of our current difficulties by supporting each other,’ said Fr. Fegan.
– MARIA PEPPER