16.12.2009
Dublin's New 'Black Santa' Starts Collection For Charity
The new Vicar of St Ann's and St Stephen's, the Revd David Gillespie will be continuing the tradition begun by his predecessor, the Revd Canon Tom Haskins by conducting a sit out for charity outside St Ann's Church on Dawson Street in the lead up to Christmas.
The sit out began at 2pm on Wednesday 16 December 2009 where the first two donors to the collection were the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr John Neill and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Emer Costello. Music was provided by members of the Taney Junior Choir.
The sit out will continue from 11am to 5pm daily up to and including Christmas Eve (except Sunday 20 December). During the sit out the Vicar will be joined by his Curate, the Revd Victor Fitzpatrick, other clergy from the Diocese and several choirs including Kildare Street Choir and Orchestra, St Ann's Church Choir, the Discovery Gospel Choir, St Columba's College Choir, the Seafield Singers and the Stillorgan Primary School Choir.
The 2009 sit out will be the eighth such sit out but the first led by the Revd David Gillespie, who was appointed Vicar of St Ann's in April this year. The sit out is modelled on a similar longstanding appeal by successive Deans of Belfast where it became known as 'Black Santa' from the long heavy black cloak worn by the clergy to protect themselves from the cold weather. Amongst the charities that will be assisted by the sit out will be the St Vincent de Paul, the Samaritans, Barnardos and Church of Ireland Bishops Appeal. Last year the collection raised just over €20,000. The seven collections to date have raised in excess of €50,000.
The Revd David Ivan Gillespie was born in 1968 in Derry and was educated in Faughan Valley High School in the City. Upon leaving school he worked as a Journalist with Morton Newspapers. In 1999 he moved to Dublin to study for Ministry in the Church of Ireland Theological College (now institute). He was ordained a Deacon in 2001 and a Priest the following year. In 2001, he was appointed Curate in Agherton (Portstewart, Co Derry) in the Diocese of Connor and in 2004 was appointed Rector of Moy.
Built in 1707, St Ann's on Dawson Street is situated close to the Mansion House and many Lord Mayors have worshipped in the Church. Others who have worshipped in the Church were historical figures such as Thomas Barnardo, Hugh Lane, Bram Stoker, Wolfe Tone and Douglas Hyde.
