Holy Days and Holidays Calendar JULY 1, 2019 – DECEMBER 31, 2020

Indigenous Bahá'í Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Islam Jainism Judaism Sikhism Wicca Zoroastrianism Canadian Worldview Holidays 2019–2020 176–177 2563–2564 2019–2020 2076–2077 1440–1441 2545–2546 5780–5781 549–550 2019–2020 1389–1390 2019–2020

JULY 2019 10 - Martyrdom of 21 - Avalokitesvara 16 – Guru Purnima 5-7 - Jalsa Salana  16 - Guru Purnima 18 - Navroze (New Year) 1 - Canada Day the Báb Bodhisattva’s 11 - Imamat Day  (QC)  S M T W T F S Enlightenment 23 - Khordad Sal (QC)  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

AUGUST 2019 15 - Dharma Day/ 14 or 15 - Raksha Bandhan 10 - Waqfatu’Arafat 27 - Paryushan Parva 11 - Tishah B’Av 1 or 2 - Lughnasadh 5 - Farvardegan (QC) 5 - Civic Holiday (ON) Ullambana 22 or 23 - Sri Krishna 11 - Eid-ul-Adha**  begins /Lammas 17 - Navroze (New Year) S M T W T F S 15 - Buddhist Joy Day Janmaashtami 31 - New Year (Hijra) (SC)  1 2 3 22 - Khordad Sal (SC)  4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 **Dates may vary +/- a day due to lunar calendar

SEPTEMBER 2019 19 - Powley Day 11 - Nayrouz (J) 1 or 2 - Ganesh/Vinayak 10 or 11 - Ashura  3 - Samvatsari/ 29 - observance of 1 - Installation of 23 - Harvestide/ 4 - Farvardegan (SC) 2 - Labour Day Chauth  Paryushan Parva ends/ Rosh Hashanah begins Holy Scriptures of Fall Equinox S M T W T F S 12 - Anant Chaturdashi Daslakshan Parva evening of Sept. 29  Guru Granth Sahib 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 29 - Sharad Navratri begins 30-Oct 1 - Rosh 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 begins 12 - Anant Chaturdashi Hashanah 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 - Kshamavani/ 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Daslakshan Parva ends  29 30

OCTOBER 2019 29 - Birth of the Báb 13 - Kathina Ceremony/ 5 - Durgaashtami 19 - Arbaeen 27 - Diwali/Lord 1 - Rosh Hashanah 20 - Installation of the 14 - Thanksgiving Day 30 - Birth of Bahá’u’lláh Pavarana Day 7 - Vijaya Dashmi/ Mahavir  8 - observance of Guru Granth as Guru S M T W T F S 17 - Avalokitesvara Dassehra  28 - New Year/ Yom Kippur begins 27 - Bandi Chhor Divas  1 2 3 4 5 Bodhisattva’s Pravrajya 17 - Karva Chauth Enlightenment day of evening of Oct. 8  6 7 8 9 10 11 12 27 - Diwali  Gautamswami 9 - Yom Kippur 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 28 - New Year  14 -20 - Sukkot 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 21-22 - Simchat Torah 27 28 29 30 31

NOVEMBER 2019 16 - Louis Riel Day 26 - Day of the Covenant 1 - All Saints Day 9 or 10 - Milad-un-Nabi 1 - Gnan Panchami 12 - Birth of Guru Nanak 1 - Samhain  11 - Remembrance Day 28 - Ascension of 28 - First day of 12 - Dev Diwali 24 - Martyrdom of Guru S M T W T F S ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Advent (J) Teg Bahadur 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

DECEMBER 2019 8 - Bodhi Day 1 - First day of Advent 13 - Birthday of Imam 8 - Maun Agiyaras 23-30 - Chanukah 21 - Yule/Winter 26 - Zarathosht-no-diso 25 - Christmas Day 12 - Amitabha Buddha’s 25 - Christmas  Aga Khan Solstice (FC) 26 - Boxing Day S M T W T F S Birthday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

JANUARY 2020 1 - Temple Day 1 - New Year's Day  13 - Lohri 5 - Birth of Guru 1 - New Year’s Day 2 - Sakyamuni Buddha’s 6 - E p i p h a n y 14 - Makar Sankranti Gobind Singh  S M T W T F S Enlightenment 7 - Christmas (J)  29 - Vasant Panchami 13 - Maghi 1 2 3 4 25 - Lunar New Year/ 14 - New Year's Day (J)  5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Maitreya Bodhisattva’s 19 - Epiphany (J) 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Birthday 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

FEBRUARY 2020 26-29 Intercalary Days 7 - Lantern Festival 26 - Ash Wednesday 21 - Mahashivratri  1 or 2 - Imbolc 17 - Family Day (ON)

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

MARCH 2020 1 - 1 9 - B a h á ' i F a s t 8 - Sakyamuni Buddha’s 2 - Clean Monday (J) 9 - H o l i 21 - Eid-e-Navroz 10 - Purim 1 0 - H o l a M o h a l l a 20 - Ladyday/ 21 - Navroze 20 - Naw Ruz Nirvana Day  24 or 25 - New Year/ 21 or 22 - Isra’a and Mi’raj 1 4 - S i k h N e w Y e a r Spring Equinox (New Year) (FC)  S M T W T F S (New Year)  8 or 12 - Avalokitesvara Vasant Navratri begins 26 - Khordad Sal (FC)  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bodhisattva’s Birthday 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

APRIL 2020 20 - First day of Ridvan  14 - Theravada New Year 10 - Good Friday  2 - S h r i R a m n a v a m i 7 o r 8 - N i s f u S h a ’ b a n 5 - Mahavir Jayanti 8 - observance of Pesach 13 or 14 - Vaisakhi  8 - F a r v a r d e g a n ( F C ) 1 0 - G o o d F r i d a y 28 - Ninth day of 30 - Sakyamuni Buddha’s 12 - Easter  1 3 - V a i s a k h i / B a i s a k h i 24 - Ramadan (fasting (Birthday)  begins evening 23 - Zarathosht-no-diso 13 - Easter Monday S M T W T F S Ridvan  Birthday* 13 - Easter Monday  13 - New Year  month)* of April 8  (QC) 1 2 3 4 17 - Good Friday (J)  9-16 - Pesach 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 19 - Easter (J)  (Passover)  12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 - Easter Monday (J)  19 20 21 22 23 24 25 *two days because of intercalary month 26 27 28 29 30 *Dates may vary +/- a day due to in lunar calendar leap year lunar calendar

MAY 2020 1 - Twelfth day of 6 or 7 - Wesak/ 31 - Pentecost 17 or 21 - Lailat-ul-Qadr 28 - observance of 1 - Beltane 23 - Zarathosht-no-diso 18 - Victoria Day Ridvan  Buddha Day  22 - Jumatul Widha Shavuot begins evening of (SC) S M T W T F S 23 - Declaration 30 - Sakyamuni 24 - Eid-ul-Fitr**  May 28  1 2 of t he B áb B u d d h a ' s B i r t h d a y * 29-30 - Shavuot  3 4 5 6 7 8 9 28 - Ascension of 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Bahá'u'lláh 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 *two days because of intercalary month 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 **Dates may vary +/- a day due to in lunar calendar leap year lunar calendar 31

JUNE 2020 21 - National Indigenous 5 or 6 - Poson 7 - P e n t e c o s t ( J ) 16 - Martyrdom of Guru 20 - Litha/Summer Peoples Day  14 - All Saints Day (J) Arjan Dev Solstice S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

JULY 2020 9 - Martyrdom 5 - Asalha Puja Day 4 - Guru Purnima 3-5 - Jalsa Salana  5 - Guru Purnima 30 - Tishah B’Av 17 - Navroze (New Year) 1 - Canada Day of the Báb 11 - Imamat Day  (QC)  S M T W T F S 30 - Waqfatu’Arafat 22 - Khordad Sal (QC)  1 2 3 4 31 - Eid-ul-Adha**  5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 **Dates may vary +/- a day due to 26 27 28 29 30 31 lunar calendar

AUGUST 2020 8 - Avalokitesvara 3 - R a k s h a B a n d h a n 2 0 o r 2 1 - N e w Y e a r ( H i j r a )15 - Paryushan Parva 1 or 2 - Lughnasadh/ 4 - F a r v a r d e g a n ( Q C ) 3 - Civic Holiday (ON) Bodhisattva’s 11 - Sri Krishna 29 or 30 - Ashura  begins Lammas 16 - Navroze S M T W T F S Enlightenment Janmaashtami 22 - Samvatsari/ (New Year) (SC)  1 21 - Ganesh/Vinayak Paryushan Parva ends/ 21 - Khordad Sal (SC)  2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Chauth  Daslakshan Parva 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 3 1 - A n a n t C h a t u r d a s h i begins 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

SEPTEMBER 2020 19 - Powley Day 2 - Dharma Day/ 11 - Nayrouz (J) 1 - A n a n t C h a t u r d a s h i 18 - observance of 1 - Installation of 22 - Harvestide/ 3 - F a r v a r d e g a n ( S C ) 7 - Labour Day Ullambana 1 - Kshamavani/ Rosh Hashanah begins Holy Scriptures of Fall Equinox S M T W T F S Daslakshan Parva ends  evening of Sept. 18  Guru Granth Sahib 1 2 3 4 5 19-20 - Rosh Hashanah  6 7 8 9 10 11 12 27 - observance of 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Yom Kippur begins 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 evening of Sept. 27  27 28 29 30 28 - Yom Kippur 

OCTOBER 2020 1 8 - B i r t h o f t h e B á b 17 - Sharad Navratri 9 - Arbaeen 3-9 - Sukkot 20 - Installation of the 12 - Thanksgiving Day 19 - Birth of begins 29 - Milad-un-Nabi 10-11 - Simchat Torah G u r u G r a n t h a s G u r u S M T W T F S Bahá’u’lláh 2 3 - D u r g a a s h t a m i 1 2 3 25 - Vijaya Dashmi/ 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Dassehra  11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

NOVEMBER 2020 16 - Louis Riel Day 2 5 - D a y o f t h e C o v e n a n t 4 - Avalokitesvara 1 - All Saints Day 3 - K a r v a C h a u t h 14 - Diwali/Lord Mahavir 14 - Bandi Chhor Divas  1 - Samhain  11 - Remembrance Day 27 - Ascension of Bodhisattva’s Pravrajya/ 28 - First day of Advent (J) 14 - Diwali  Nirvan 24 - Martyrdom of Guru S M T W T F S ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Buddhist Joy Day 29 - First day of Advent 15 - New Year  15 - New Year/ Teg Bahadur 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Enlightenment day of 30 - Birth of Guru Nanak 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Gautamswami 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 19 - Gnan Panchami 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 3 0 - D e v D i w a l i 29 30

DECEMBER 2020 8 - Bodhi Day 25 - Christmas  13 - Birthday of Imam 21 - Maun Agiyaras 11-18 - Chanukah 21 - Yule/Winter 26 - Zarathosht-no-diso 25 - Christmas Day 30 or 31 - Amitabha Aga Khan Solstice (FC) 26 - Boxing Day S M T W T F S B u d d h a ’ s B i r t h d a y 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Bahá’í, Judaism and Wicca – holy days in these faiths begin at sunset on the evening prior to the date shown and end at sunset on the last day shown; Christianity – dates for Christianity are based on the Gregorian calendar unless specified as Julian (J); Islam – dates are tentative as some may vary based on the sighting of the moon; Sikhism – dates for Sikhism are based on the original calendar unless specified as Revised Nanak Shahi calendar (N);Zoroastrianism – dates are based on Fasli Calendar (FC), Qadimi Calendar (QC) and Shenshahi Calendar (SC) Dates in bold lettering are approved holy days according to the Peel District School Board Leaves of Absence policy # 23 and O.P. HRS # 42. See Exceptions to Staff Approved Holy Days on Human Resources’ webpage for other holy days.  = Do not schedule events at any time on these days.  = Do not schedule events on the evenings of these days. Highlighted Canadian and Ontario holidays are recognized statutory holidays.

Indigenous Worldview Hinduism • Samsar (cycle of transmigration, birth Wicca Note: The students and staff of the Peel District Seen as being inseparable from traditional Hinduism also called Sanatana Dharma, is the and death) Wicca is a newly revived religion with roots in Bahá’í, Judaism and Wicca – holy days in these Indigenous culture and identity, Indigenous world’s oldest organized religion. It evolved over • Anekantvada (multiplicity of views) pre-Christian religious beliefs, traditions and faiths begin at sunset on the evening prior to the School Board represent a rich diversity of faith Spirituality is a “way of life” and “way of many centuries in the Indian subcontinent and • Moksha (liberation from cycle of birth) practices of Europe. Wiccans worship the one date shown and end at sunset on the last day shown knowing” (or worldview) that is centered on a has no single founder or scripture. Adherents Supreme Being and its two aspects – male traditions. This calendar helps identify some relationship with the Creator, the land and all believe in one omnipresent, omnipotent, Jains fast regularly during the course of a year and female equally. The faith also recognizes Christianity – dates for Christianity are based Indigenous relations. Indigenous spiritual beliefs omniscient God. Followers refer to a number of and also during many festivals and holy days. many other deities venerated from ancient on the Gregorian calendar unless specified as of the important days of commemoration, and practices can vary significantly amongst holy texts – Vedas, Purana, Gita, Ramayana, Jains follow the Vir Nirvan Smavat calendar with times. Earth-centered practices and harmony Julian (J) First Nation, Métis and Inuit groups and Mahabharata – and may worship many male and its roots in the Hindu calendar. with nature are important beliefs of the faith. however it isn’t designed to be a complete individuals, and across different regions. female manifestations of God either in a temple Followers believe in Karma (actions with cause Islam – dates are tentative as some may vary or at home. Hinduism’s core beliefs include: Judaism and effect)and reincarnation. Many Wiccans based on the sighting of the moon. Bahá’í • Dharma (righteous practices) Judaism is a monotheistic faith. Followers are members of covens (local Wicca groups). listing of religious days. Students and staff from Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892) founded the Bahá’í faith • Karma (action with cause and effect) believe that God entered into a covenant with They gather for worship in sacred circles. Most Sikhism – dates for Sikhism are based on the on the belief of the oneness of God, religion • Moksha (liberation from cycle of rebirth) Abraham, and it was later renewed with Moses rituals of the faith relating to life cycle and original calendar unless specified as Revised a particular faith background may or may not and humanity. Adherents value universal • Atman (eternal soul) and the Jewish people to reveal his laws and seasonal changes are held in a circle outdoors Nanak Shahi calendar (N) principals such as love, equality, social justice, • Ahimsa (non-violence) teachings through the Torah. The Jewish people when possible. Wiccans celebrate eight Sabbats be absent from school on these special days. honesty, kindness etc. while accepting social • Bhakti (devotion) practice these teachings in their worship and (seasonal celebrations) spaced 45 days apart Zoroastrianism – dates are based on Fasli and scientific changes in their day-to-day lives. • Jnana (knowledge for spiritual enlightenment) customs. The synagogue is their place of during a year. Followers of the Wicca faith follow Calendar (FC), Qadimi Calendar (QC) and If they do attend, certain accommodations may Followers of the faith take personal responsibility worship. Jews observe the Sabbath weekly, a yearly cycle of the sun in a fixed calendar. Shenshahi Calendar (SC) for their spiritual growth. The Bahá’í faith is The Hindu calendar – Vikram Samvat and beginning at sunset on Friday and ending at be required. governed by spiritual assemblies made up of Panchang – uses both lunar and solar calculations. sunset on Saturday. It is the time for spiritual Zoroastrianism Dates in bold lettering are approved holy days nine or more members and does not have reflection for adherents and they suspend work Zarathushtra also called Zoroaster founded the according to the Peel District School Board clergy to guide worship. Islam for the day. Followers of the faith may pray three faith in ancient Persia (Iran). Zoroastrians believe Leaves of Absence policy # 23 and O.P. HRS Time is measured either according to: In the Bahá’í calendar, there are 19 months of Islam, meaning “peace” in Arabic, was revealed times – morning, afternoon and night each day. in one Creator as a Source of all Creations and # 42. See Exceptions to Staff Approved • the sun – solar calendar – (Indigenous Worldview , Bahá’í, Christian, Sikh, Wicca and 19 days each with four intercalary days (five in through the Prophet Muhammad. The message Many Jews observe kashrut (or kosher) dietary Wisdom, who is referred to as “Ahura Mazda”. Holy Days on Human Resources’ webpage. Zoroastrian calendars) leap year). Each month represents an attribute is recorded in the Quran, which is the holiest rules. The Jewish faith is divided into groups Zoroastrians believe that an individual has a Highlighted Canadian and Ontario holidays • the moon – lunar calendar (Islamic calendar) of God. The first month starts with the New Year book for followers of Islam. Muslims believe in depending on adherents’ religious beliefs and choice between good and evil in life. The path are recognized statutory holidays. • or in combination of both the sun and the moon – lunisolar calendar (March 21) and the last ends with 19 days fast. submission to one God (Allah), Muhammad as his practices. Some of these include Orthodox, for perfecting oneself is through good thought, (Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Jewish calendars) The Bahá’í day starts at sunset. messenger, angels of God, holy books revealed Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist. good speech and good actions. Fire is sacred The dates in this calendar have been verified to mankind, other prophets (Adam to Jesus), the The Jewish calendar is a combined lunar and to the faith and it is always kept burning in the by the following members of each faith Buddhism day of judgement and resurrection after death. solar calendar. The holy days may be celebrated temple and in followers’ homes. Followers also community: Siddhartha Gautam, the first Buddha, founded Followers of the faith have five duties (Pillars of either for a day or over two days based on believe in angels, heaven and hell, God and Indigenous Worldview – Joseph Paquette The expectation is that Peel schools and Buddhism in the 6th century BCE in Northern Islam) to perform. adherent’s religious beliefs. Satan, an immortal soul and the last judgement. Báhá’í – Ba Linh Le India. Two major forms of Buddhism evolved as • Declaration of faith Priesthood is hereditary in Zoroastrianism, and Buddhism – Ven. Abbot Thich Tam Hoa, worksites not schedule events on significant Buddhism spread across Asia. The Theravada • Five prayers daily Sikhism all religious ceremonies are led by priests. Both Ven. Miao Qi, Ven. Bhante Saranapala, (southern) tradition is found in Burma, Cambo- • Fasting in the month of Ramadan Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak (1469- male and female followers are initiated into the Buddha Meditation Centre dia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, • Payment of Zakat (annual charity) 1539). The religion was further developed and faith through the Navjote ceremony. Initiated Christianity – Father Walter Makarenko, holydays (as marked with a  or  on the Thailand and parts of Vietnam. The Mahayana • Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) at least once during defined by nine gurus that came after him and adherents have to follow dress codes of the faith. Rev. Walter Tonelotto calendar) that would exclude observing and Vajrayana (northern) traditions are found in their lifetime has its roots in the Indian sub-continent. Holy Shenshahi, Qadimi and Fasli are three major Hinduism – Acharya Surendra Sharma Shastri, China, India, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Tibet and scriptures called Guru Granth Sahib have guided denominations and the three calendars that Pt. Roopnauth Sharma Vietnam. Buddhist teachings guide followers to Sunni and Shia are the two main schools of adherents spiritually after the ten gurus. Sikhs followers of the Zoroastrian faith use. Islam – Imam Belal Ahmed, Sheikh Jaffer H. Jaffer, staff and students from participating. attain liberation from rebirth through Dharma Islam. All Muslims follow a code of behaviour believe in one Supreme Being. The key beliefs of Rabia Khedr – Muslim Council of Peel (Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Noble that clearly lays out what is Halal (acceptable/ Sikhism include: Canadian Holidays Jainism – Dr. Raj Patil Faith Forward Path) and Karma (action with cause and effect). permitted) and what is Haram (prohibited/ • Oneness of humanity Canada, like many other countries of the world, Judaism – Arliene Botnick Understanding and embracing the wide diversity of faiths and cultures represented Buddhist calendars vary based on the diverse unacceptable) in their daily lives. Islam follows • the release from birth-cycles through has identified holidays that are of religious and Sikhism – Pardeep Singh Nagra by Peel board students and staff is the vision of a new series of programs and traditions of the adherents’ school of thought. a lunar – Hijri – calendar. enlightenment historical significance to the nation. The nine Wicca – High Priestess Nicole Cooper resources entitled Faith Forward. The program includes the following: This calendar reflects major dates in all three of • worship, meditation and service holidays – Canada Day, Labour Day, Zoroastrian – Hoshang Udwadia the Buddhist calendars. Jainism • rejection of caste system, rituals and Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, • Holy Days and Holidays calendar with important dates in 11 world religions throughout Jainism was founded on the teachings of 24 idol-worship Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, For further information, contact: the school year Christianity Tirthankaras (liberated and enlightened persons) Good Friday and Victoria Day – are mandated Ashley Bigda, Community Relations Officer at • monthly Celebrating Faith and Culture Backgrounder with brief information about Christians follow the life and teachings of Jesus, of whom Vardhamana Mahavira was the last. Khalsa (baptized) Sikhs are required to follow by federal legislation. These holidays celebrate (905) 890 1010 (or 1 800 668 1146) x 2573 each religious and cultural celebration observed in the Peel community and throughout also called Christ. Christianity shares its roots The religion has its roots in the Indian sub- Reht Maryada (the Sikh code of conduct) at all and/or commemorate special events or Or by email at [email protected] the world and some religious texts with Judaism. Jesus continent. Jain philosophy provides a way of times. Reht Maryada includes both the religious individuals. Provincially the number of statutory • Reflections on World Religions guide to provide teachers and students with background was born a Jew. His followers spread Christianity life for adherents. Shwetamber and Digamber and social practices for Sikhs. The Sikh calendar holidays vary. Ontario has eight recognized information about the origins, scriptures and main beliefs of major world religions after his death. It is the world’s largest religion. are the two divisions of Jainism. These two was modified in 1999 and has moved from lunar to holidays. Remembrance Day is not a statutory • resources for building inclusive schools There are many denominations, traditions sects differ in some of their religious beliefs, tropical solar calculations. Some groups within the holiday in Ontario. The Civic Holiday, also • consultation with the faith communities in Peel to create stronger partnerships and churches within Christianity. Three main interpretations of scripture and daily and ascetic faith continue to use the previous calendar and known as Simcoe Day and Family Day are • training programs to help create sensitivity and awareness of the varying needs of branches of the faith are Roman Catholics, practices. Jains believe in: therefore some holy-day celebrations may vary regionally designated holidays in Ontario. students and staff from all faith and culture backgrounds Eastern Orthodox and Protestant. Both the Old • Jiva (eternal soul) based on adherent’s affiliation. and New Testaments guide followers in their • Ahimsa (non-violence) spiritual quest. Christians believe in one God, • Veganism the Holy Trinity and divinity of Christ. Adherents • Aparigraha (non-acquisition) follow either the Julian or Gregorian calendars. • Karma (cause and effect action)