2020 Interfaith Calendar

Nazareth College - Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue

Front and Back photographs provided by Nazareth College This calendar was designed by William French, student worker at the Hickey Center at Nazareth College and undergraduate student in Chinese and Global Studies and Kayleigh Hegerle, student worker at the Hickey Center at Nazareth College and undergraduate student in History and Museums Studies. Nazareth College Mission Statment Founded in 1924, Nazareth College is The mission of Nazareth College is to located provide a learning community that on a close-knit suburban campus in the educates dynamic, metropolitan region of students in liberal arts, sciences, visual and Rochester, performing arts, and professional fields, New York. The college offers challenging fostering commitment to a life informed by academic programs in the liberal arts intellectual, ethical, spiritual, and aesthetic and values; to develop skills necessary for the sciences and professional programs, pursuit of meaningful careers; and to health and inspire human services, education, and dedication to the ideal service to their management. communities. Nazareth seeks students who Nazareth’s strong culture of service and want to make a difference in their own community prepares students to be world successful and the world around them, and professionals and engaged citizens. encourages them to develop the understanding, commitment, and confidence to lead fully informed and actively engaged lives.

Nazareth College 4245 East Avenue Rochester, NY 800-462-3944 585-389-2860 www.naz.edu SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 1 Gantan sai-A Shinto New Year Festival observed with prayers for inner renewal. Japanese observers welcome the New Year with prayers for renewed heart, good health, and prosperity. 2 Guru Gobind Singh Birthday- The Sikh celebration of the tenth, and final, Guru in 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 the Sikh religion. Bodhi Day- The Buddhist celebration of Prince Gautama taking his place under the Body tree, vowing to wait there until he’d reached enlightenment. 5 Twelfth Night- Christian observance of the close of Christmas ride and a prelude 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 to Epiphany which begins the next day. 6 Epiphany- Feast day celebrating the manifestation of Christmas in accordance with the Judain calendar. Dia de los Reyes Remembrance of when the Three Wise men saw the star of Bethlehem and arrived 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 bearing their treasured gifts for the baby Jesus. 15 Maghi The commemoration of the sacrifice of forty Sikhs who fought for Guru Gobind Singh 26 27 28 29 30 31 19 World Religion Day The Baha’i day that calls attention to the harmony of the various religions’ spiritual principles and to emphasize that religion is the motivating force for world unity. 25 Conversion of Saint Paul A Christian holiday celebrating the conversion of Saint Paul. Chinese New Year-This day marks the start of the fifteen day festival for Chinese people of all religions. This time includes family reunions and remembrance of departed loved ones. 29 Vasant Panshami- festival that highlights the coming of Spring; normally celebrated in Magh The Brian and Jean Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue At Nazareth College, the Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue promotes research and encourages strategies for living peacefully in a religiously diverse world. This vision is realizes through dialogue, education, and community-building efforts. Every religion demands that we alleviate suffering; every religion dreams of a better world; every religion offers different means to attain these goals. The Hickey Center believe that individuals can learn from each other, understand each other, and work together.

Mission Statement The Hickey Center includes individuals who are diverse in religion, faith, gender, and education. The common denominator is a desire to develop skills to clarify and improve individual and community wide communications on matters of religion, faith and spirituality; to understand individual and communal faiths; to establish a methodology proper to our goals; and to develop the capacity for living in a pluralistic world. We seek to understand and develop research tools, knowledge, and skills to benefit our common humanity.

Our Goals We aim to establish an environment conducive to understanding the diversity of faiths in our world and community; to provide educational resources to aid the establishing of environments of understanding and equality; to teach individuals, communities, and institutions how to live and communicate with those from varying religions and faith backgrounds. SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1

2 Imbolc- The traditional Wiccan festival marking the beginning of spring; a time of reflecting upon the power of the gods from which a physical and 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 spiritual harvest soon may come. 3 Setsubun Sai- The Shinto good-luck holiday that literally means “seasonal division” but most usually refers to the end of winter and the coming of spring. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Four Chaplains Sunday- A commemoration of the WWII event in which four Chaplains of Jewish and Christian faiths gave their own life jackets to others as a troop ship sank in the Atlantic. 16 17 18 19 20 21 9-10 Tu B’shevat- The Jewish celebration of the coming of Spring 22 Day- In the third lunar , on the first full moon, this holiday is celebrated as a veneration of Buddha and his teachings 14 St. Valentine’s Day- Originating from Saint Valentine, this 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Christian holiday honors a roman who was martyred for refusing to deny his faith. 15 Nirvana Day- The observance of the death of Buddha at the age of 80, having achieved total nirvana (the highest form of enlightenment). 25-29 Intercalary Days- A celebration during the last four days of the Baha’i year. Observers are committed to celebrating through hospitality, charity, gift giving, and preparing for the Fast.

Interdisciplinary Minor in Interfaith Studies Interfaith studies enhance the understanding of our globalized, pluralistic society, cultivate our spiritual and cultural sensitivities, and promote useful skills across professions.

Benefits Teachers will understand the values and beliefs of colleagues, students, and parents, whilst educating about models of humane respect; nurses will be able to promote wellness through sensitivity to patients religious and cultural practices; business professionals will enhance quality of client relationships through empathy with a diverse workforce, customers, regulators, and suppliers; leaders in the faith community will gain tools to dialogue and contribute to peacemaking.

Program Goals The goal of this program is to develop students who are capable of the following qualities: religiously literate and understanding of individual and communal faiths and traditions; spiritually mature, secure, and curious, seeing religious diversity as a human resource rather than a personal threat; committed leaders in developing a peaceful, religiously pluralistic world; skilled in methods of communication, education and community building. SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

9-10 Purim- A joyous jewish festival based on the 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 story told in the book of Esther. - The ever-so-popular Hindu spring festival; commonly 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 called the Festival of Colors. 13 L. Ron Hubbard’s Birthday- The birthday of the founder of the Church of Scientology. 19 Ostara- Held on the Spring Equinox, Ostara is a 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 pagan ritual that celebrates the welcoming of the spring and the goddess-as-maiden. 19-20 Naw Ruz- The Baha’i New Year and the first day 29 30 31 of Favardin; this is the first month of the Iranian solar year. 22 Lailat al Miraj- An islamic celebration of Isra and Mir’aj of Muhammad, when it is believed he was raised to heaven to meet with the prophets.

Islam Circa 600 CE Islam is the most recent of the Abrahamic traditions. The final messenger of Islam is Muhammad, whose revelations became the foundation for the faith. Muhammad’s moral and social lessons guide Muslims in their daily lives.

Holy Scriptures of Islam Qu’ran or Koran) compiles the revelations received by) اﻟﻘﺮآن The Muhammad from the angel Gabriel. This book of moral guidance contains ,Hadith) is a second) ﺣﺪﻳﺚ praise for Allah and spiritual counsel. The complementary text to the Qu’ran and is used to assist in interpreting its message. The Hadith is a compilation of stories of the prophet Muhammad’s life and of sayings ascribed to him, The Sunnah, the unwritten version of the Hadith, is a set of traditions attributed to Muhammad.

(م"س$ا أرﻛﺎن) The Five Pillars of Islam 1. Shahada (witness) 2. Salat (worship) 3. Zakat (poor tax) 4. Siyam () 5. Hajj (pilgrimage to the house of God in Mecca) SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 2 Navami- The beginning of the Hindu week (to culminate in Ramanavi) in which the tale of Lord Rama is told through theater or recitation. Many devout 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 will fast during this time alongside the reflections on Rama. 6 Mahavir Jayanti- The Jain celebration honoring Lord on the founders birthday. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 8-16 Passover- Judaism's Festival of Freedom; this eight day observance includes strict dietary rules celebrating the deliverance of the Jews from Egypt. 8-9 Lailat al Bara’ah- Night of Forgiveness; a night of prayer Allah for 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 forgiveness of the dead. This holiday is preparation for Ramadan through intense prayer. 12 Easter- One of the most important days in Christianity; it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion. 13 Baisakhi- The day of commemorating the founding of the Sikh 26 27 28 29 30 brotherhood of the Khalsa. 19 First Day of Ridvan-The first day of a twelve day festival in the Baha’i faith, commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration that he was a Manifestation of God. 20-21 Yom HaShoah- A day set aside by by the Jewish people to commemorate the holocaust. 23 Ramadan Begins- All able adults fast during this entire month of Ramadan, ending at the sight of this moon. This month is considered the most venerated, blessed, and spiritually beneficial month of the Islamic faith.

Buddhism 500 BCE Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, commonly referred to as the Buddha (“the enlightened one”). Buddha devoted his life to finding the cause of suffering and finding cures or ways to eliminate it. To escape the cycle of samsara and attain a state of spiritual freedom (nirvana), Buddhists follow principles of nonviolence and contemplative practice.

Texts and Teachings Buddhists, as a community, do not hold any one book as a piece of :Buddhist scripture.” Each group holds certain texts to be more important than others.

Four Noble Truths 1. To live is to suffer (dukkha) 2. Suffering is birthed by desire (tanha) 3. To end suffering one must end desire 4. Release from suffering can be attained by following the eightfold path

The Eightfold Path 1. Right understanding 2. Right action 3. Right intention 4. Right effort 5. Right speech 6. Right meditation 7. Right work 8. Right contemplation

Three Jewels of Buddhism 1. Buddha 2. (teachings of Buddha) 3. Sangha (community of enlightenment- seekers) SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2

1 Beltane- A pagan fertility and love festival that celebrates the union between the Lord and the Lady, or Goddess. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 National Day of Prayer- USA Interfaith Holiday. Visakha Puja- Also known as Buddha Day, this celebration honors the birth, enlightenment, and attainment of Nirvana of Lord Buddha. 10 11 12 19 Lailat al-Qadr- Marks the time when the Qur’an’s first verse was 13 14 15 16 revealed to the prophet Muhammad. Many followers believe that this night marks their fate in the following year. 22-23 Declaration of the Bab- Important day of the Baha’i faith; when they venerate the declaration of the Ban, the promised person. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 23 End of Ramadan- All able adults fast during this entire month of Ramadan, ending at the sight of this moon. This month is considered the most venerated, blessed, and spiritually beneficial month of the islamic faith. 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 23-24 Eid al Fitr- A celebration at the end of Ramadan of the good things Muslims have received, God’s bounty, and their family and friends. Every household must make an offering of charity in the days leading up to Eid al Fitr. 28 Ascension of the Baha’u’llah- Commemorates the anniversary of the 31 death of the founder of the Baha’i faith, Baha’u’llah. 28-30 Shavuot- Marks the giving of the law (Torah) on Mount Sinai in the Jewish faith. 31 Pentecost- This Orthodox Christian holiday marks the day when God spoke to the disciples in tongues. Observers normally celebrate this with the baptism and confirmations of new Christians. Taoism 500-600 BCE Taoism, starting when it did, became just as much of a philosophy as it did a religious practice. Its tenets are simple: , moderation, and humility. The Tao is a life force that flows through all of existence and beyond. When translated directly, this means “The Way.” Rather than attributing a specific consciousness or being to the Tao - as is the case with the Abrahmic view of God - Taoism asserts that there is not separation between the physical world and the divine

Holy Scriptures of Taoism The Tao Te Ching has 81 chapters that emphasize the illusion of duality in our everyday life. To reach enlightenment, one must ultimately discover balance

Confucianism Confucianism is a philosophical/ethical system based on the teachings of Confucius, a Chinese philosopher who lived between 551 and 478 B.C.E. This system includes religious, moral, social, and political components that heavily influence many Asian Countries such as China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. The main idea of Confucianism stresses the importance of moral development for individuals. Recognizing that many people simply follow laws and rules without knowing the reason for them, Confucianism stresses that individual moral development there would be a decreased need for laws to govern people because the individual will do what is right so as not to shame him or herself... SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6

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11 Corpus Christi- This Christian holiday celebrates the Eucharist, which is believed to be 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 the body and blood of Christ. 16 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev- A time of remembrance in the Sikh community for those 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 who have suffered for their faith. 21 Litha- Also known as Midsummer, this Wiccan holiday marks the sacred marriage in which energy of the gods is 28 29 30 poured into the service of life.

Feminism

"Feminist: a person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes.” -Chimimanda Ngozi Adiche

Feminism, to expand on this quote, is an ongoing series of political, ideological, and social movements aimed at bringing equality between both genders to the forefront of society. This includes seeking professional and educational opportunities for women and other oppressed gender orientations, as well as putting foroductive rights, equal pay, etc.

Notable Feminist Movements Suggested Readings Women’s Suffrage Movements “We Should All be Feminists” -U.S.A (1848-1917) by Chimimanda Ngozi Adiche -France (1909-1945) “The Second Sex” -Mexico (1925-1953) by Simone de Beauvoir Women’s Liberation Movements “A Room of One’s Own” -U.S.A (1965-1982) by Virginia Woolf -Oceania (1969-1980)

Recent Advances Around the World As of December of 2018, the United States 116th Congress will have the highest percentage of women in elected positions in its entire history (24%, according to PEW Research Center).

“Period. End of Sentence.” A documentary about women trying to destabilize the stereotypes about periods outside of Delhi, wins best short documentary at the 2019 Academy Awards.

As of 2018 the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia was officially lifted.

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad; Murad is the first Iraqi woman to ever win the award. SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4

4 Asalha Puja- A Buddhist festival commemorating the Buddha 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 delivering his famous sermon at Deer Park. 9 Martyrdom of the Bab- A solemn holy day in the Bahai’i religion that commemorates the death of the Bab by firing squad on July 9, 1850. 18 Commemoration of Jane Austen’s Death- This is a day many spend in recognition to Jane Austen, one of the greatest female author’s and 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 one of history’s most prominent feminists. 22 Khordad Sal- The birth of the Zoroastrian prophetess Zaranthushtra. 24 Pioneer Day- A Mormon holiday celebrated particularly in the US State of Utah, it recognizes the entry of Brigham Young and the first 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley. 29-30 Waqf al Arafa- This Christian holiday celebrates the Eucharist, which is believed to be the body and blood of Christ. Tisha B’av- A Jewish day of fasting in remembrance of the 26 27 28 29 30 31 destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586BCE and the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. 30-31 Eid-al-Adha- Starting on the evening of the 30th, this Islamic festival is a three day festival recalling Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah; also known as the Festival of Sacrifice.

Native American Traditions Native Americans hold a wide array of religious and spiritual practices. State persecution throughout the years lead to many tribes increasingly taking part in private rituals versus an open celebration of their own practices. This, in turn has created a great obstacle when it comes to cataloguing the full range of diverse practices. Due to such extreme diversity in tribes it is difficult to make any well-informed inferences, though not impossible. It is speculated that many tribes believe in one “Master Spirit” as their creator and they also believe in the immortality of human spirit.

The Oral Tradition Cataloguing has also been made harder in modern times due to the fact that many Native American traditions have been passed down through storytelling.

Shaman A shaman is the western word associated with the teachers and prophets that were commonly found in Native tribes. Shamans were often tasked with attaining the knowledge of other dimensions; they would weave between altered states of consciousness in order to travel through time and into other worlds (i.e. nether worlds). Shaman wisdom is often used in the creation of myths and of prophetic visions. Many stories revolving around shaman wisdom also include “wisdom animals” like coyotes who could speak, reason, debate, and teach lessons. SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1

1 Lughnassad-Imbolc- This Wiccan/Pagan festival of the god of 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 harvest honors Lugh’s — the Celtic god of light — sacrifice and celebrates the first of the Great Harvest festivals, the harvest of fruits and grains. 3 - This Hindu festival, which occurs on the last day 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 of the Hindu lunar month of Shraavana, celebrates the bonds of brothers and sisters. A sister is tasked with tying a small piece of string around her brothers wrist to symbolize how she will care for him, usually receiving a gift in return herself. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 6 Transfiguration of the Lord- This Orthodox Christian holiday celebrates the appearance of Jesus to his disciples in glorified form, with Moses and Elijah at his side. 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary- This Catholic Christian 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 holiday celebrates that at the end of her life, Mary was taken — body and soul — into heaven. 16-23 Paryushana Parva- One of the most important holidays for those within the Jain religion, Paryushana Parva is an 30 31 eight to ten day festival is for studying and fasting. 19-20 Al Hijra- This Islamic holiday celebrates the migration of Muhammad and his followers to Medina in 622 CE and establishment of the first Islamic state. Judaism 2000 BCE Judaism is a monotheistic faith, which believes in one eternal and all-powerful deity: God. Judaism stands as the oldest of three Abrahamic traditions.

Holy Scriptures of Judaism The central text of Judaism is the Tanak. The first third of this collection is the Torah (which means “teaching”), compromising the Five Books of Moses. The second is the Nevi’im (“prophets”) which covers the history of the Israelites starting with their arrival in the Holy Land up until their period of Babylonian Captivity. The Ketuvim (“writings”) completes the collection with three poetic books, the Five Scrolls, and three other historical books. The Talmud, or “Oral Revelation,” serves as a second essential text, containing ethics, laws, customs, and history.

Halakhah (Jewish Law) mitzvot, or “commandments”) given to the Jewish (ת9 ְו ִצמ Within Judaism, there are 613 peoples by God. The Ten Commandments received by Moses are more accurately translated as the Ten Statements, and can be viewed as categories under which the 613 ִמ ְצו9ת organized be can

Streams of Judaism Reform Judaism Orthodox Judaism Conservative Judaism Reconstructionist Judaism SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 8 Nativity of the Virgin Mary- The Christian holiday which celebrates the birth of the Virgin Mary. 18-20 Rosh Hashanah- A Jewish holiday commonly 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 referred to as the Jewish New Year, occurs on the first and second day of Tishri. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27-28 Yom Kippur- The Jewish “Day of Atonement” and the most solemn of Judaism’s holy days, it is devoted to prayer and fasting. 27 28 29 30 American Civil Rights Movement Crucial Texts The Civil Rights Movement has historically ‘Between the World and Me’ by Ta-Nehsi been a series of movements based around Coates — An exploration of America’s history the creation of freedom and acceptance with race through the intimacy of a father and within America for racial minority son lease. communities. The movements on race were spearheaded by great thinkers and ‘The Fire Next Time’ by James Baldwin — A speakers like Martin Luther King Jr. and collection of two “letters” released on the Malcolm X in the wake of the Jim Crow centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation south from the 1940s through the 1960s. that both examine, on an intimate scale, racial

injustice and the tradition of racism in Today civil rights has expanded beyond the America. realms of race and we see it bleeding into ‘ issues such as womens rights — with the rise of the feminist movement — as well as Freedom’s Daughters’ by Lynne Olson — A rights regarding sexuality and gender comprehensive look at the role women of all (LGBT). races played in the American Civil Rights movement from the 1830s to the late 1900s. Quotes of Martin Luther King Jr. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice ‘Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard everywhere.” Rustin’ by John D’Emilio — A look at Bayard “[We] will not be satisfied until justice rolls Rustin, a black, gay, pacifist, communist, down quaker, and one of MLK Jr.’s closest advisors like waters and righteousness like a mighty on nonviolence often forgotten or brushed stream.” over by modern historians comes to life in “[In] spite of temporary victories, violence this poignant work. never brings permanent peace.” SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2-9 Sukkot- The Jewish “Feast of Tabernacles” which celebrates the protection of the people of Israel as they wandered through the wilderness. 4 St. Francis Day- The Christian feast day in honor of the rebuilder 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 of the church, founder of orders, and the patron saint of animals: Saint Francis of Assisi. 17 Milvian Bridge Day- A day of solemn reflection in the Christian religion, focusing on the relationship between the spiritual 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 community and the civil government. 17-26 Navratri- The nine day Hindu celebration in honor of the nine forms of the Goddess (Kaalaratri, , etc.). 12 Birth of Baha’u'llah- This day marks the birthday of the Baha’i 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 religions founder and teacher. 25 Dasara- The Hindu celebration of victory and valor. Lord Rama is remembered as winning a victory over evil. 31 All Hallow’s Eve- This Christian tradition is a feast which marks the three day observance of Allhallowtide: a time of reflection and remembering the dead. Circa 2300 BCE Centralized in the Indian Subcontinent, Hinduism has now spread across the world. Secretarian differences in Hinduism are due to differences in the importance of certain gods and traditions of worship. Groups are usually defined by the god that is essential to their worship and belief. The sacred language of Hinduism is .

Holy Scriptures of Hinduism The (ऋगेद, veda meaning “knowledge”) are the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, and comprise the , the , the , and the . Other scriptures include the Ipanishadsm, the , and the .

Teachings, Practices and Systems Hinduism teaches that is the one, ultimate divine force. is the illusion of the material world around us, concealing the ultimate reality of the Brahman. The illusion must be pierced in order to find the truth. The term of Atman in Hinduism represents “true self” which does not die. means “deed” and describes the principle of cause and effect which governs all aspects of life. Hinduism teaches that one is reborn according to their karma, their positive and negative actions during their previous life. One can progress upward through various animals, to human, and then through differently privileged classes of humans, often referred to as castes. The cycle of rebirth is known as संसार (samsara). SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 All Saint’s Day- The Christian day known for honoring all 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 saints. 2 All Soul’s Day- A Catholic day of prayers of remembrance for the dead. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 14 - This day marks the Jain, Hindu, and Sikh festival of lights which symbolises the spiritual victory of the light over the dark, or the good over the evil. 22 Christ the King- The Christian holiday which celebrates the 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 preeminence of Jesus over earthly authorities. 24 Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahdur- The Sikh day of remembering the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru. 26-27 Ascension of Abdul-Baha- The Baha’i celebration of the 29 30 rising of the spirit of Abdu’l-Baha to the heavens. 30 St. Andrew’s Day- The Christian celebration of the coming of the religion to Scotland. Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib- The birthday of the founder of the Sikh religion. Christianity Circa 1st Century AD Christianity is a monotheistic religion that branched out of Judaism; it is the second of the three abrahamic religions. Christianity follows the teachings of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and others mentioned within the Christian bible. The main belief in Christianity is that Jesus Christ was the son of God and that he died, was resurrected three days later, and ascended to heaven to reign with his father (God) and the Holy Spirit. These three are also known as “the holy trinity.”

Holy Scripture Christianity’s central teachings are found in both the old and new testaments of the Holy Bible.

Cardinal Virtues According to Christian beliefs, Jesus was born as Son of God to Mary, a virgin born in the lineage of King David and was wedded to Joseph in Bethlehem. Saint John the Baptist baptized Jesus as an adult and he began ministering within his community; though his work as a minister did not occur without some adversity. His work seemed to displease many of the reigning authorities (both political and religious) which eventually lead to his arrest and sentencing. Before this event he had a supper with his disciples (commonly referred to as “The Last Supper”) in which he shared bread and washed the feet of his disciples; this event took place on passover and would serve as the basis for the sacrament of Eucharist ( an event which would emphasize Christs role as a sacrifice for humanity). As per his sentencing Jesus was crucified, and according to those in the Christian faith, he rose on the third day after his death. SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5

6 Saint Nicholas Day- The Christian celebration of Saint Nicolas, 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 the patron saint of Children. 8 Immaculate Conception- The Catholic celebration of the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, had been preserved from original sin all her life. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Bodhi Day- The Buddhist celebration of Prince Gautama taking his place under the Body tree, vowing to wait there until he’d reached enlightenment. 10-18 Hanukkah- The Jewish 8 day festival of lights which 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 commemorates the Maccabean recapture and re dedication of the Jerusalem Temple between 165-164 BCE. 21 Yule Begins- The pagan celebration of the winter-born king, symbolized by the rebirth of the sun; in the Wiccan religion it 27 28 29 30 31 signifies the rebirth of the horned hunter god. 25 Christmas- The Christian holiday which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God. 26 Kwanzaa Begins- The African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, culture, and community. 31 Watch Night- The Christian occasion in which one thanks God for bringing people safely through another year.