Celebration and Awareness Days

Throughout the year, we celebrate the wide array of individuals, groups, and cultures at La Salle by calling to mind various holidays, observances, and commemorative days that provide our campus with an opportunity to learn and to become involved as they desire. Below please find links to learn more about the recognitions taking place across the globe and throughout the country:

January

  • Muslim American Heritage Month
  • Poverty Awareness Month
  • 01 – Shogatsu
  • 05 – Parkash Utsav Dasveh Patshah
  • 19 – World Religion Day
  • 20 – Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent leader in the American civil rights movement. The day serves as a time to reflect on his contributions to advancing racial equality, justice, and nonviolent activism. Dr. King is best known for his role in leading the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s, advocating for desegregation, voting rights, and equal opportunities for African Americans. His leadership and eloquent speeches, such as his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, helped galvanize support for the movement and effect significant social and legislative changes.
  • 23 – World Freedom Day
  • 26 – Commemoration of the Transfer of the Relics of Saint La Salle: The Commemoration of the Transfer of the Relics of Saint La Salle is a Catholic observance dedicated to Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. This event marks the occasion when his relics were moved to a new location. Saint La Salle is known for his significant contributions to education, particularly in establishing schools for poor children and developing the modern system of education. The commemoration celebrates his legacy and contributions to the Catholic education system. The transfer of his relics is a special occasion for members of the De La Salle community, reflecting on his life and continuing his mission of education and service. It is typically observed with religious services and prayers in communities associated with the De La Salle Brothers.
  • 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day
  • 29 – Lunar New Year:  Lunar New Year: A Time of Renewal and Celebration. Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of the new lunar cycle. This year, the celebration starts on February 10 and will last for approximately 15 days. This vibrant festival is celebrated not only in China but also in many other countries around the world. The festivities are rich with traditions and activities. Colorful parades fill the streets, featuring dragon and lion dances that symbolize strength and good luck. Fireworks light up the sky, warding off evil spirits and welcoming the new year with a bang. Families gather for reunion dinners, sharing meals that are believed to bring prosperity and happiness. One of the most cherished customs is the exchange of red envelopes, known as “hongbao.” These envelopes contain money and are given as a symbol of good fortune and blessings for the year ahead. The red color of the envelopes is considered auspicious, representing luck and prosperity. The celebration culminates on the 15th day with the Lantern Festival, marking the first full moon of the year. Lanterns of various shapes and sizes are hung, symbolizing the letting go of the past and the welcoming of new beginnings. This day is often celebrated with lantern parades, riddles, and sweet glutinous rice balls known as “tangyuan,” which symbolize family unity and completeness. Lunar New Year is a time of renewal, reflection, and joy, bringing together families and communities to honor traditions and look forward to a prosperous future. 
  • 30 – Saint Mutien-Marie Wiaux, FSC 

February

  • 04 – Rosa Parks Day 
  • 09 – Saint Miguel Febres Cordero, FSC:  On Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, the Lasallian family celebrates the feast day of San Miguel Febres Cordero. Brother Miguel was born in Ecuador on November 7, 1854, and joined the Brothers of the Christian Schools on March 24, 1868. Brother Miguel was a gifted teacher from the start and a diligent student. When he was not quite twenty years old, he published the first of his many books, a Spanish grammar book that soon became a standard text. In time his research and publications in the field of literature and linguistics put him in touch with scholars all over the world and he was granted membership in the National Academies of Ecuador, France, and Spain. Despite high academic honors, teaching remained his first priority, especially his classes in religion and for the young men he prepared for first communion. His students admired his simplicity, his directness, his concern for them, and the intensity of his devotion to the Sacred Heart and the Virgin Mary. Brother Miguel died on February 9, 1910. At La Salle University, the Miguel Townhouses are named after Brother Miguel Febres Cordero. 
  • 12 – Lantern Festival  
  • 13 – Blessed Brother James Miller, FSC:  In the afternoon of Feb. 13, 1982, Christian Brother James (Santiago) Miller, F.S.C., was shot and killed by three men in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Brother James was a missionary serving indigenous youth. Attempts to identify the assassins were unsuccessful. On Dec. 7, 2019, Brother Miller became the first De La Salle Christian Brother from the U.S. to be beatified by the Catholic Church. Beatification is the second of three stages in the process of proclaiming a person a saint. For the beatification, a miracle, attributed to the person’s intercession, is necessary. With beatification the candidate receives the titled of Blessed. 
  • 14 – St. Valentine’s Day 
  • 15 – Nirvana Day 
  • 20 – World Day of Social Justice 
  • 28 – Ramadan begins. The Muslim community begins their sacred month of Ramadan the evening of February 28 following the sighting of the moon in Mecca and will end on March 28. Muslims consider Ramadan one of the holiest months of the year to commemorate when the first verses of the holy book Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) more than 1,400 years ago. During this time, Muslims will fast from food and drink during sunlit hours as a means of learning self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate.

March

  • Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 
  • Greek American Heritage Month 
  • Gender Equality Month  
  • Irish-American Heritage Month 
  • Ethnic Equality Month 
  • National Women’s History Month 
  • 05 – Ash Wednesday (start of Lent):  Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, feasting, and almsgiving. Lent commemorates the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan. It is a period of preparation to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection at Easter. In the Catholic tradition during Lent, Catholics seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture, serving by giving alms, and practicing self-control through fasting. Catholics are called to abstain from certain luxuries during Lent and have a true inner conversation of heart as they seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully. Lent is practiced by many Christian groups, such as Roman Catholic, Eastern orthodox, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Anglicans, and Lutherans. 
  • 05 – Equal Pay Day 
  • 08 – International Women’s Day & UN Day for Women’s Rights & International Peace 
  • 11 – World Day of Muslim Culture, Peace, Dialogue, and Film 
  • 13 – 14 Purim 
  • 14 – Pi Day 
  • 17 – St. Patrick’s Day 
  • 19 – Feast of Saint Joseph: The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Joseph, earthly father of Jesus and spouse of the Virgin Mary. Saint John Baptist de La Salle chose Saint Joseph as the Patron and Protector of the Brothers’ Institute. Devotion to Saint Joseph was considered by Saint La Salle as most appropriate for the Brothers, in particular, and for teachers in general because Saint Joseph was commissioned by God to take care of the Child Jesus, a child not his own yet he loved so much. Like Saint Joseph, Brothers and educators are called to care for the students entrusted to their care. 
  • 21 – Nowruz (Baha’i New Year) 
  • 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 
  • 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade 
  • 27 – Lailat al-Qadr 
  • 29 – Eid al-Fitr 
  • 30 – Ramadan Ends & Eid al-Fitr 
  • 31 – International Transgender Day of Visibility 

April

  • Autism Awareness Month 
  • Arab-American Heritage Month 
  • Earth Month 
  • Community Service Month 
  • Celebrate Diversity Month 
  • Sexual Assault Awareness – Check with University Wellness Center for programming 
  • 02 – World Autism Awareness Day 
  • 07 – Church Feast Day of Saint John Baptist De La Salle 
  • 12 – 20 Passover  
  • 14 – 17 Holy Week 
  • 18 – Good Friday 
  • 20 – Easter 
  • 22 – Earth Day 
  • 23 – 24 Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day):  President Biden proclaimed the week of April 16–23 as an observance of the Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust and called upon Americans to pause and remember victims and survivors of the Holocaust. The internationally recognized date for Holocaust Remembrance Day corresponds to the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar, which falls on a different day every year. It marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Victims of the Holocaust will be remembered when the community gathers during times of prayers this week in De La Salle Chapel. 
  • 30 – De La Salle’s Birthday:  Celebrating Saint John Baptist de La Salle’s birthday (1651 – 1719), Patron Saint of Teachers    On  April 30, the Lasallian world celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Saint John Baptist de La Salle in 1651, in Reims, France.  In the year leading up to the 300th anniversary of his birth, Pope Pius XII, on May 15, 1950, said that De La Salle not only founded the teaching order, the Brothers of the Christian Schools, for the education of youth, he also established Teacher Training Colleges.  In recognition of these two initiatives, the Pope issued a proclamation that reads in part:  Hence, in order that teachers and student teachers may have a role model to imitate… Saint John Baptist de La Salle be marked… as heavenly patron of all teachers, men and women alike, clerical as well as lay, actually engaged in, or preparing for, the profession. May we rejoice in this honor and may it inspire us today as we at La Salle University continue a legacy of quality education for the students entrusted to our care. 

May

  • Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Desi American Heritage Month: We celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month in May because of two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history, 1) the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the United States (May 7, 1843) and 2) the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 (the majority of workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants). The annual celebration honors the many contributions and accomplishments of Asian Americans, Pacific Islander Americans, and Native Hawaiians.
    The first Asian Pacific Heritage Week was introduced in 1977 by U.S. Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Mineta of California. Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga of Hawaii introduced similar legislation in the Senate. President Jimmy Carter signed into law a joint resolution to establish the annual event, and the first celebration took place in May of 1979. In 1992, by President George H. W. Bush designated the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

    Learn more about the history of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders in the Philadelphia area. See events happening in Philadelphia here and events happening at the Philadelphia Art Museum here.
  • Religious Brothers Day, observed on May 1, provides a chance to celebrate and appreciate the contributions of religious Brothers in our communities. Additionally, it presents an opportunity to reflect on how each of us can extend invitations, companionship, and support to young people as they discern God’s calling in their lives.
    This year’s Religious Brother’s Day themed: Brothers: Men rooted in faith, hope, and love will take place online. The event will feature virtual sessions with engaging live speakers and dynamic video presentations, each offering a platform for Brothers to engage in meaningful conversations. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from various presenters, including Brother Brian Poulin and Brother Peter Lamick, who will shed light on the identity and mission of the religious brother in the Church. Attendees can participate in the breakout groups to connect with fellow brothers, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.
  • Jewish American Heritage Month 
  • Mental Health Awareness Month 
  • Speech & Hearing Awareness Month 
  • 05 – Cinco de Mayo 
  • 06 – National Day of Prayer 
  • 08 – Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for those who Lost their Lives during WWII 
  • 15 – Solemnity of De La Salle 
  • 17 – International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia 

June

  • Pride Month 
  • National Caribbean American Heritage Month 
  • Black Music Month 
  • 01 – 03 Shauvot  
  • 06 – 09 Eid al-Adha 
  • 19 – Juneteenth 
  • 26 – 27 – Al-Hijiri (Islamic New Year) 
  • 28 – Pride Day 

July

  • Disability Pride Month  
  • French-American Heritage Month 
  • 04 – USA Independence Day 
  • 26 – Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law in the USA on July 26, 1990. It was the first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities in the world. The ADA has been influential in moving the USA closer to the promise of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for the millions of individuals with disabilities in our country.

August 

  • National Civility Month
  • Around 200 groups of Indigenous Peoples currently live in voluntary isolation and initial contact. They reside in remote forests rich in natural resources in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Peru and Venezuela. They choose to live detached from the rest of the world and their mobility pattern allows them to engage in gathering and hunting, thereby preserving their cultures and languages.  This International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024 is focusing on ‘Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact’. Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact are the best protectors of the forest. Where their collective rights to lands and territories are protected, the forests thrive, alongside their societies. And not only is their survival crucial to the protection of our planet, but it is crucial to the protection of cultural and linguistic diversity. In today’s hyper-connected world, the existence of Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact is a testament to the rich and complex tapestry of humanity, and it is a huge loss to our world if they cease to exist. 
  • 02 & 03 – Tisha B’Av (Jewish mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temple and the galut (exile): Tisha B’Av, the 9th day of the month of Av (August 12-13, 2024), is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, on which Jewish people fast, deprive themselves and pray. It is the culmination of the Three Weeks, a period of time during which the Jewish people mark the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
  • 13 – Feast Day of Saint Benilde Romançon, FSC (Benilde Tower named after him): Today is the feast of St. Benilde Romançon, FSC. Pierre Romançon was born June 14, 1805, in Thuret, France. He was so far ahead of his classmates that when he was only 14 years old the Brothers engaged him as a substitute teacher. From 1821 to 1841 he taught in elementary schools before being appointed as director of a new school in southern France in 1841. He served in that school for the next 20 years, educating the boys of the village, many of whom had never been to school. The school became a center of social and intellectual life of the village. Saint Benilde died August 13, 1862.
  • 23 – International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its abolition 
  • 26 – Gender Equality Day 

September

  • Sept. 15-Oct. 15 – Hispanic Heritage Month: Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of those individuals whose roots are from from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
  • Sept. 21-Oct. 21: The intention of Lasallian Days of Peace is to share solidarity and volunteer projects that are happening worldwide and that may inspire Lasallians in the creation or consolidation of local programs at the service of those most in need. “1La Salle, our pilgrimage towards peace” is the theme of the International Lasallian Days for Peace that this year will take place from September 21 to October 21. The initiative, led by the Commission on Youth of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, is based on the awareness that 2024 “has been a difficult year for peace in the world”, as perceived in the war situations in Ukraine, as well as between Israel and Palestine, and in several regions of Africa afflicted by civil wars.
  • 27 – Feast of Scubilion Rousseau: On this day, the global Lasallian network celebrates the feast of Blessed Brother Scubilion Rousseau, FSC. Born during the French revolution, he joined the Christian Brothers in 1822. In 1833, he left his native France to dedicate the remaining 34 years of his life serving the enslaved natives on the island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. He is remembered as the “catechist of the slaves.” He was beatified in Réunion by Saint Pope John Paul II on May 2, 1989.

October

  • 2 – International Day of Non-violence is observed on October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. It was established on June 15, 2007, according to the United Nations General Assembly.  
  • 2–4  – Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. It is also celebrated as the day when God created humanity.
  • 3–12 – Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed in honor of the goddess Durga, an aspect of Adi Parashakti, the supreme goddess. 
  • 11-12 – Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is dedicated to introspection, prayer, and asking G-d for forgiveness. Although Yom Kippur is the most solemn day of the Jewish year, it is suffused with an undercurrent of joy; the joy of being immersed in the spirituality of the day and expressing confidence that G-d will accept repentance, forgiveness of sins, and seal the verdict for a year of life, health and happiness.
  • 11 – National Coming Out Day is an annual LGBTQIA+ awareness day observed to support everyone as they navigate their journey. Coming out is a unique experience for each person, and it’s not a one-time event. The La Salle Alliance is a student-led organization that creates a safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and ally support. At the same time, October is known for LGBT History Month in the U.S. since 1994. It was first proposed by Missouri high school history teacher Rodney Wilson, who chose October due to the establishment of National Coming Out Day in the late 1980s.
  • 14 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a holiday in the United States that celebrates and honors Indigenous American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. It is celebrated across the United States on the second Monday in October and is an official city and state holiday in various localities. 
  • 16-23 – Sukkot is a Torah-commanded holiday celebrated for seven days, beginning on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei. It is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals on which Israelites were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.
  • 31 – Samhain and Halloween: Celebrated on Oct. 31, Samhain was first observed by Celtic Pagans and marked the Celtic New Year, the end of summer, and the end of the harvest season. The Holiday signaled the beginning of winter, which Pagans associated with death. It was considered a time when the veil between the physical world and the Otherworld was thin, allowing spirits of the dead to visit the living. Rituals may include dancing, feasting, being in nature, and building altars to honor ancestors. Samhain is the origin of Halloween. 
  • 31 – Celebrating Diwali: Diwali or Deepavali is also known as the Festival of Lights and is a significant festival for Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. This year it will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 31, the new moon day, of the month of Kartik in the lunar calendar. One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, it symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.” Oct. 31 is also specially dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity and good fortune. The five-day festivities will begin on Oct. 28 with Dhanteras and conclude on Nov. 3 with Bhaiya Dooj.
  • The Catholic Church celebrates the month of October as the Month of the Rosary. Originally, it was a celebration to mark the Christian victory at the battle of Lepanto in 1571, a naval victory over the Turkish fleet. The rosary is a popular devotion among the Christian faithful. Through its four mysteries—joyful, sorrowful, glorious, and luminous—Christians meditate on the life of Jesus and our salvation.
  • Communities and advocacy organizations across the country connect with the public and one another throughout the Domestic Violence Awareness Month to raise awareness about the signs of abuse and ways to stop it, and to uplift survivor stories and provide additional resources to leaders and policymakers. 
  • October was first designated as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month in the 1980s and has been recognized every October since. It is a time to celebrate people with Down syndrome and make others aware of their abilities and accomplishments. 
  • Filipino American History Month (FAHM) is celebrated in October to recognize the history, culture, and contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States. The month was established in 1988 to commemorate the first recorded arrival of Filipinos in the continental United States on October 18, 1587. 
  • Global Diversity Awareness Month is celebrated in October to honor the many cultures and perspectives that make up the world. It’s a time to celebrate diversity, learn from each other, and recognize the positive impact that a diverse society can have.  
  • Italian American Heritage Month is celebrated every year to honor and recognize the centuries of achievements, successes, and valuable contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans. 
  • We recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) each October to commemorate the many contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. The theme for NDEAM 2024 is “Access to Good Jobs for All.” 
  • Polish American Heritage Month is observed in October to commemorate the arrival of the first Polish settlers in Jamestown, VA in October 1608 as well as the death of Casimir Pulaski, the father of American cavalry. 
  • October was first declared as National Bullying Prevention Month in 2006. Since then, October has been a time to acknowledge that bullying has devastating effects on children and families such as school avoidance, loss of self-esteem, increased anxiety, and depression. Bullying can occur in multiple ways. 

November

  • 01 – All Saints Day (November 1): In the Catholic faith, Nov. 1 is the liturgical feast of the solemnity of All Saints and Nov. 2 is All Souls Day, the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed 
  • 02 – All Souls Day (November 2): Members of the University community can submit names of deceased family members and friends. These names will be placed in a basket in the De La Salle Chapel, and the University community will unite in prayer to remember them at our daily Eucharistic Liturgy and other prayer services in November. During these early November celebrations, those of us still living (the Church militant) unite our hearts with, and in a special way remember, the faithful departed, whether they be in heaven (Church triumphant) or in purgatory (Church suffering) 
  • 31 – 01 – Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): Also known as the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion. It is a blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion, and Spanish culture. It is celebrated each year from Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, with Oct. 31 being Halloween and Nov. 2 being All Souls Day in the Catholic Church. On the Day of the Dead, it’s believed that the border between the spirit world and the real world dissolves. During this brief period, the souls of the dead awaken and return to the living world to feast, drink, dance, and play music with their loved ones. In turn, the living family members treat the deceased as honored guests in their celebrations and leave the deceased’s favorite foods and other offerings at gravesites or on the ofrendas built in their homes. The most prominent symbols related to the Day of the Dead are calacas (skeletons) and calaveras (skulls).
  • 02 – Bahá’í commemoration of the Birth of the Báb
  • 03 – Feast of Saint Martin de Porres (November 3): The feast of Saint Martin de Porres. He became the first Black Saint of the Americas. He was canonized by Pope John XXIII on May 16, 1962. He exemplified God’s love for all people, regardless of their level in society. 
  • National Vocations Awareness Week (November 3-9): Catholic schools and parishes will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week from Nov. 3-9; This is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life 
  • 08 – National First-Generation Day
  • 09 – World Freedom Day
  • 11 – Veterans Day / Armistice Day (November 11): Nov. 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, however fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice between Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For this reason, Nov. 11 continues to be observed as Veterans’ Day to honor American veterans for their service and sacrifice. 
  • 13 – World Kindness Day (November 13): Global observance dedicated to promoting and celebrating acts of kindness. This day serves as a reminder of the positive impact that kindness can have on individuals, communities, and the world at large. Perform intentional acts of kindness and foster a culture of compassion and generosity!
  • 17 – International Students’ Day (November 17): A day when we remember the bravery of thousands of students in Prague who fought for national pride and the right to higher education. While we seem worlds apart today, the right to education and peaceful protest remains a struggle in many countries.
  • 20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance 
  • 28 – Thanksgiving 
  • 29 – Native American Heritage Day (November 29): Within the month of November, we celebrate National Native American Heritage Day the day after Thanksgiving. This is an opportunity to celebrate the rich traditions, languages, stories, and contributions of Native Americans, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Island affiliates.
  • Black Catholic History Month: In 1990, the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States designated November as Black Catholic History Month to celebrate the long history and proud heritage of Black Catholics. This month is a time to celebrate the contributions of Black Catholics to the Roman Catholic tradition. With the feasts of All Saints and All Souls during the month, it is also an occasion to recall in a special way the saints and souls of Africa and the African Diaspora.
  • National Native American Heritage Month
  • Native American (Indian)/Alaskan Native Heritage Month

December

  • 01 – First Sunday of Advent
  • 01 – World AIDS Day
  • 02 – International Day for the Abolition of Slavery 
  • 03 – Interantional Day for People with Disability 
  • 08 – Bodhi Day
  • 09 – Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • 10 – International Human Rights Day 
  • 12 – Feast of Our Lady of Guadelupe
  • 21 – Winter Solstice
  • 21 – Dongzhi
  • 21 – Soyal
  • 21 – Jan 1 Yule
  • 25 Christmas
  • 25 – Jan 2 Hanukkah: The evening of Dec. 25 marks the start of Hannukah the eight-day wintertime festival of lights. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the second century B.C., when the Jewish people rose up against Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. After reclaiming the Holy Temple, it was rededicated to the service of G-d. When the Jewish people went to light the Temple menorah, they found only a single cruse of oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah, and the one day supply of oil lasted for eight days. To commemorate these miracles, the festival of Hannukah was instituted. Special blessings are recited before the menorah is lit on each of the eight days and traditional songs are sung afterward. 
  • 26 – Jan 1 Kwanzaa: Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration from December 26 to January 1 that honors African heritage and culture. Created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, it focuses on seven principles: 1. Umoja (Unity): Building unity in the community. 2. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): Defining and naming oneself. 3. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): Working together to solve problems. 4. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): Supporting and benefiting from our own businesses. 5. Nia (Purpose): Enhancing the community’s development. 6. Kuumba (Creativity): Improving the community through creativity. 7. Imani (Faith): Believing in our people and the success of our efforts. The holiday includes lighting the Kinara (candle holder), reflecting on these principles, and enjoying cultural activities and feasts.