05.12.2022
New Vicar looks forward to his first Dublin Black Santa Sit Out
Dublin’s Black Santa Appeal is preparing to take to the streets again this Christmas outside St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street. There will be a new face this year with the arrival of the new Vicar, Canon Paul Arbuthnot. But he will be guided by the team, some of whom have been running the Dublin appeal for over 20 years.
Volunteers will start collecting outside St Ann’s on December 15 and will continue until Christmas Eve. The official launch will be on Monday December 19 at 1pm and the Archbishop will join the Vicar and Fred Deane, known to many as the face of the appeal.
After a gap of two years, choirs will make a welcome return to the sit out. The choir of Kildare Place National School will be there on the launch day and many others will join the volunteers to sing carols at lunchtimes.
The charities being supported this year are the Salvation Army, the Simon Community, Alice Leahy Trust, Protestant Aid, St Vincent de Paul, the Samaritans and other local charities. You can donate via the parish website www.stann.dublin.anglican.org or in person at the church via cash or card.
Canon Arbuthnot was presented with a pair of socks from the Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd Stephen Forde, at his institution in September. The Black Santa Sit Out tradition began at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast.
“I am looking forward to donning my black cloak and becoming Black Santa for the week before Christmas,” Canon Arbuthnot commented. “I am especially looking forward to meeting many people as they pass by our church door on Dawson Street.
“As the new vicar of St Ann’s, I am very aware that this wonderful week of fundraising doesn’t happen of its own accord – the amount of planning by our parishioners and Parish Administrator is immense. Our administrator, Kristin, has organised the rota of choirs at the sit–out, the publicity materials, and many other arrangements which are unseen, yet crucial to the smooth running of the sit–out. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude go to her and all in the parish who have done so much to help.
“Despite being new to St Ann’s, if you pass by you’ll recognise one familiar face at the sit–out – Fred Deane. His steady hand, good humour, and immense knowledge of the parish have been invaluable to me throughout my first few months here and my first sit–out at St Ann’s. If any members of clergy would like to come and keep me company during the sit–out, I’d be delighted to see them! But I look forward to seeing many of you from across the dioceses during the course of the sit–out.”