16.02.2024
Dublin Rector Hits the Road for Lent
Canon Gillian Wharton’s Lenten Challenge has become a regular fixture. During Lent 2024 Gillian is walking at least 5km every day – Wednesday February 14 to Saturday March 30 2024 inclusive – “no skipping out on Sundays!” she promises.
Originally the Rector of Booterstown and Carysfort with Mount Merrion began the challenge in support of the Irish Cancer Society during COVID in response to not being able to have the usual parish Daffodil Service followed by a Daffodil Coffee Morning with Bring–and–Buy.
Since her first challenge in 2021, it has become a Lenten tradition with funds being raised for a variety of causes including the Irish Cancer Society, Protestant Aid, Blackrock Hospice, the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria (channelled through the Bishops’ Appeal) and parish funds.
“Lent is the season for examining ourselves and seeing how we can more fully reflect the life and love of Christ and his commandment to us to love our neighbour as ourselves. That means respecting and caring for others and for ourselves,” Gillian comments.
“Therefore, again, this Lent, I am encouraging people to take up something that gives you a focus each day and that benefits you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and lives out loving your neighbour as yourself.
“This year, I’ll be walking each day for my spiritual, mental, emotional and physical wellbeing and for the victims of the conflict between Palestine and Israel, (channelled through the Bishops’ Appeal and the Dublin and Glendalough Diocesan ‘Shine a Light Appeal’ to assist the Al–Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza which is run by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem (which covers Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Israel). It is the only Christian hospital in the Gaza strip and the only cancer hospital in Gaza. It normally treats approximately 45,000 patients a year. Al–Ahli Hospital in Gaza welcomes and treats people of all faiths and none,” she explains.
You can make a donation to support Gillian’s efforts by online banking to:
Booterstown and Mount Merrion Account IBAN: IE30IPBS99062932796541 BIC: IPBSIE2D
You can follow her progress on Facebook and Instagram and she will be inviting people to walk with her on some days.