Acknowledging holidays and celebrations in March

In March, we acknowledge Ramadan, Chet, St. Patrick’s Day, Nowruz, St. Joseph’s Day, Holi, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Read more about each holiday/celebration below, written by members of our Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.

March 11: Ramadan

Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, begins this year on March 11 (depending on the sighting of the new moon). It is a time marked by community, prayer, and acts of charity, emphasizing personal growth, gratitude, and compassion.

At Grandview Kids, we celebrate the diversity of our team, which includes our Muslim colleagues observing Ramadan. Recognizing this sacred month allows us to foster a supportive, understanding, and inclusive environment for everyone. We view Ramadan as a chance for mutual learning, adapting to the special requirements of our fasting colleagues by modifying schedules for prayer times and the breaking of their fast at sunset. 

During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from several things from dawn until sunset, including:

• Food: Muslims do not eat any food during the daylight hours.
• Drinks: This includes not drinking any liquids, not even water.
• Smoking or chewing gum: They can not smoke, chew gum or put a mint in their mouth.
• Sexual Relations: Abstaining from sexual activities during the daylight hours is also part of the fast.
• Sinful Behavior: Muslims are encouraged to avoid all types of sinful behaviour, such as lying, gossiping, and fighting. The fast goes beyond the physical to include moral and ethical dimensions, aiming for spiritual growth and purification.

To support our Muslim colleagues, a box of dates will be placed in the fridge at our Oshawa, Ajax and Airport sites, available for anyone to break their fast at sunset and for anyone from the staff to enjoy them as well. This gesture is a small but meaningful way to show our respect and support for those fasting and also an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to inclusivity and unity, making Ramadan meaningful for everyone in our organization. 

March 14: Chet

In the Punjabi calendar, as well as the Nanakshahi calendar followed by Sikhs, the first month is known as Chet. This year, Chet is taking place on March 14, 2024. Chet marks the beginning of a new year, symbolizing renewal, growth, and the awakening of nature as winter fades and spring blossoms. It holds special significance for Sikhs as it commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, which typically falls in this month. Chet is a time of spiritual reflection and rejuvenation, inviting individuals to rekindle their connection with the divine and embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation. It serves as a reminder of the eternal cycle of life, the importance of gratitude, and the potential for spiritual growth and enlightenment.

March 17: St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is the feast day of this patron saint of Ireland. St Patrick’s Day is celebrated with religious feasts and services. St. Patrick was a 5th-century missionary to Ireland and later served as Bishop there. He is credited with bringing Christianity to parts of Ireland. There are many legends associated with the life of St. Patrick. According to one, he miraculously drove all the snakes of Ireland into the sea.

Another legend, and probably the most popular, is that of the shamrock, which was intended to describe three persons in one God to an unbeliever by showing him the three-leaved plant with one stalk. Traditionally, Irishmen have worn shamrocks, the national flower of Ireland, in their lapels on St Patrick’s Day, March 17.

So how will you celebrate St Patrick’s Day?  Wear Green? Display a shamrock?  Perhaps you might enjoy a traditional Irish feast such as Colcannon. The traditional Irish food pairs creamy mashed potatoes with cabbage. It can also feature greens like kale, scallions and leeks (its verdant colour makes it a St. Patrick’s Day classic) and is often served with boiled ham.

March 19: Nowruz

Nowruz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs from March 19-21. It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.

Nowruz plays a significant role in strengthening the ties among people based on mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good neighbourliness. Its traditions and rituals reflect the cultural and ancient customs of the civilizations of the East and West, which influenced those civilizations through the interchange of human values. Celebrating Nowruz means the affirmation of life in harmony with nature, awareness of the inseparable link between constructive labour and natural cycles of renewal and a solicitous and respectful attitude towards natural sources of life.

March 19: St. Joseph’s Day

Joseph was the husband of the Virgin Mary and the legal father of Jesus Christ.  After marrying Mary, Joseph found her already pregnant and, “being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace,” decided to divorce her quietly, but an angel told him that the child was the Son of God and was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Obeying the angel, Joseph took Mary as his wife. After Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem, an angel warned Joseph and Mary about the impending violence against the child as such, they fled to Egypt. There, the angel again appeared to Joseph, informing them to return to the Holy Land, and they settled in Nazareth.

Since the 10th century, several Western countries celebrated March 19 as the Feast of St. Joseph. The feast day became the official practice of the Church in the 1500s. Joseph is a patron of many things. He is the patron of a happy death, families, the Universal Church, fathers, expectant mothers, travellers, craftsmen, immigrants, workers, and engineers. He is also the patron of many countries, including the Americas, Canada, Croatia, Mexico, Korea, Austria, Belgium, Peru, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

March 25: Holi

Holi, also known as the ‘Festival of Colours,’ is one of the most vibrant and jubilant festivals in Hinduism, celebrated across India. It’s a time for people to come together, forget grievances, and enjoy life’s colourful moments. Holi is celebrated to mark the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. The following day, in Holi, people engage in playing with colours, singing, and dancing, embodying the spirit of forgiveness, love, and joy. The celebrations can vary depending on the region in India, but one of the most common celebrations is having a bonfire on the eve of Holi, a reference to Holika.

March 29: Good Friday

Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed yearly as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday before Easter Sunday and can also be known as Holy Friday, Great Friday or Easter Friday. This year, Good Friday falls on March 29.

As a statutory holiday in Canada, schools and many businesses are closed to recognize the day. Hot cross buns are a traditional treat on Good Friday. There are small, bread-like buns made from dough that contains raisins, currents and other dried fruits. Typically, Good Friday is used as a day to attend church and spend time with loved ones preceding the Easter weekend.

March 31: Easter Sunday

Easter, also known as Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus after the crucifixion (Good Friday). The Easter Bunny was created sometime in the 1700s and is a widely valued tradition for many families and children around the world today. However, some countries celebrate Easter without a bunny. In France, for example, people celebrate Easter with flying church bells. In Sweden, with Easter witches. However, if you’re spending the Easter Holiday this year, enjoy the time off and take some time for yourself.