WEXFORD CLERICS FASTING FOR FOUR DAYS
Canon Arthur Minion, Rector of Wexford and Kilscoran Union of Parishes along with Wexford town priest, Father Aodhan Marken, are currently fasting for charity in Wexford town.
They had their last solid meal on Tuesday, 20 December, before 6 p.m. and won’t have another until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
The fundraising fast was started in 1991 by the late Canon Norman Ruddock and thousands of euros have been collected since then as other rectors carry on the tradition.
Last year the fast raised a spectacular €49,200 euro for local charities and the hope is that the figure in 2016 will exceed €50,000.
This year the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Wexford Women’s Refuge, Ozanam House hostel for homeless men and the South East Radiotherapy Trust (SERT). A contribution to help Syrian refugees is also planned.
Canon Minion and Fr Marken will be allowed tea or water without milk, a beaker of soup delivered each day by Westgate Design restaurant and sips of Bovril or Lucozade to maintain salt and sugar levels.
“It is tough,” Canon Arthur told the Wexford People, “you do feel the hunger pangs but it’s entirely doable.”
He is hugely impressed by the generosity of Wexford people since he started doing the fast five years ago, he says.
“People are extremely generous and it’s amazing how much money has been raised. Seeing the generosity on the street is probably the most motivating factor. You go home in the evening and are staggered by that generosity. It’s what keeps you going. Your heart and mind are in it and of course, you feel a huge responsibility to do it to the best of your ability.”
Photo l-r: Fr Aodhan Markan, Canon Arthur Minion, Bishop Michael Burrows and Ciaran Kavanagh on the steps of St Iberius Church, Wexford.