Nativity surprise for Christmas shoppers
FESTIVE shoppers did a double take on Christmas Eve when a heavily pregnant Mary accompanied by Joseph and their donkey appeared in the middle of the last minute purchase panic on the Main Street in Wexford.
Walking behind a banner declaring ‘Jesus Is the Reason for the Season’, Maura O’ Donoghue (Mary) and Tomas Besanson (Joseph) and his real life donkey Polly paraded the length of the busy Main Street as a Nativity fundraiser for the Franciscan Friary building repairs fund.
Maura from The Ballagh, who is actually pregnant and due to give birth to her fourth child in January is a member of the Catholic Family Network which meets once a month in the Friary.
Tomas is proprietor of Porter’s Bar in Killena and is the owner of Polly who made a big impression on children out shopping with their parents for last minute presents.
‘People were surprised to see us and totally delighted. It was really lovely. They responded really well and they gave generously to the collection,’ said Maura. ‘All the children loved the donkey and wanted to come up and pat her.’
The event raised €1415 for the Franciscan Friary repair fund.
The Nativity entourage included Fr. Cyprian and Fr. Agnellus along with Maura’s husband Gerald, their children Aideen, Fionán and Hugh and other members of the Catholic Family Network.
‘It was a great way of getting the message of Christmas across’, said Maura.