The charity of Saint Nicholas (1640) by Cornelis de Vos

In one of the earliest attested and most famous incidents from the life of our namesake, Saint Nicholas is said to have rescued three girls from being forced into prostitution by dropping a sack [a purse] of gold coins through the window of their house each night for three nights so their father could pay a dowry for each of them.

Another version of the same story suggests that Saint Nicholas threw the purses down the chimney and that they landed in stockings drying near the fire below [this version is thought to be the origin of today's Christmas Stockings tradition.]

In the spirit of the above, early on our parish adopted the name “Saint Nicholas’ Purse” to signify our benevolence fund for making gifts to those in need. Donations to saint Nicholas' Purse are always needed. Should you wish to help, please make a donation on the "How you can help" page.