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- The Hindu 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 Magha Puja Day- In the third lunar month, 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. Holi- 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 season 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 (fasting) 5. Hajj (pilgrimage to the house of God in Mecca) SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 2 Rama Navami- The beginning of the Hindu Ramayana 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 Hindus will fast during this time alongside the reflections on Rama. 6 Mahavir Jayanti- The Jain celebration honoring Lord Mahavira 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.