There is a national day marking pretty much everything we love in Canada. You likely celebrated Pie Day on January 23, not to be confused with Pi Day coming up on March 14, (3.14, naturally). February 10 seems like a strange day to honour the umbrella weather-wise, but in my opinion, any day of the year could be No Housework Day, not just commemorated officially on April 7. While I’m partial to National Cat Day on August 8, it is not reserved in my calendar.
While the silly days named above provide us with fun diversions, I think the days that belong in our calendars are the numerous social justice days, reminding us of strides made and work to be continued on justice and dignity for all. One great resource I’ve found to mark the social justice days or days marking equity deserving groups is from the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.
Early in March is the 115th International Women’s Day on the 8th. While recognizing these days on your social media accounts is something, it’s also important to find out how your community is taking action. Google IWD and your town/city and join in the fight for gender equity.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination takes place on March 21. One of the ways you can commit to taking action that day is by registering for the Diocese of Niagara’s Anti-Racism training on Saturday, April 17, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. All the clergy of the diocese have taken the training, and now it is open to parish staff, volunteers and interested parishioners. Please send me an email to register: [email protected] or call 905-527-1316, ext. 470.
April brings our attention to climate justice with Earth Day on April 22, and Climate Justice Sunday observed on the 19th. This is a time for Climate Justice Facilitators in each parish to ensure the liturgy reflects our intentions for climate justice. Use our diocesan resource found here.
Climate Justice Niagara will host a webinar on April 22 using prayer, education, and advocacy as a way of taking action on Earth Day. Once again, contact me for more information and to register.
Your 2SLGBTQI+ diocesan working group has begun planning for the Pride Service, Fiercely Loved, on Sunday, June 7, 4:00 p.m., at the Cathedral. As well, Trans Day of Remembrance will take place on November 20, 7:00 p.m., Church of the Apostles, Guelph. It’s never too early to mark these important dates down.
Finally, June is both Pride month and National Indigenous History Month. Working with the Urban Indigenous Project Manager in Hamilton, the diocese will be hosting a blanket exercise early in the month and encouraging everyone to attend the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on June 21 at the Hamilton waterfront or check your own communities to build local relationships.
Before your calendar gets filled up with the likes of National Onion Rings Day (June 22) and National Teddy Bear Day (September 9), please be sure to put these and other social justice events on your calendar so we can create the kind of equitable world where we all have time and resources to celebrate kitties, pie and ice cream everyday if we want to.
Prioritizing Justice in Your Calendars: Social Justice Calendar Dates for Winter and Spring of 2026
There is a national day marking pretty much everything we love in Canada. You likely celebrated Pie Day on January 23, not to be confused with Pi Day coming up on March 14, (3.14, naturally). February 10 seems like a strange day to honour the umbrella weather-wise, but in my opinion, any day of the year could be No Housework Day, not just commemorated officially on April 7. While I’m partial to National Cat Day on August 8, it is not reserved in my calendar.
While the silly days named above provide us with fun diversions, I think the days that belong in our calendars are the numerous social justice days, reminding us of strides made and work to be continued on justice and dignity for all. One great resource I’ve found to mark the social justice days or days marking equity deserving groups is from the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.
Early in March is the 115th International Women’s Day on the 8th. While recognizing these days on your social media accounts is something, it’s also important to find out how your community is taking action. Google IWD and your town/city and join in the fight for gender equity.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination takes place on March 21. One of the ways you can commit to taking action that day is by registering for the Diocese of Niagara’s Anti-Racism training on Saturday, April 17, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. All the clergy of the diocese have taken the training, and now it is open to parish staff, volunteers and interested parishioners. Please send me an email to register: [email protected] or call 905-527-1316, ext. 470.
April brings our attention to climate justice with Earth Day on April 22, and Climate Justice Sunday observed on the 19th. This is a time for Climate Justice Facilitators in each parish to ensure the liturgy reflects our intentions for climate justice. Use our diocesan resource found here.
Climate Justice Niagara will host a webinar on April 22 using prayer, education, and advocacy as a way of taking action on Earth Day. Once again, contact me for more information and to register.
Your 2SLGBTQI+ diocesan working group has begun planning for the Pride Service, Fiercely Loved, on Sunday, June 7, 4:00 p.m., at the Cathedral. As well, Trans Day of Remembrance will take place on November 20, 7:00 p.m., Church of the Apostles, Guelph. It’s never too early to mark these important dates down.
Finally, June is both Pride month and National Indigenous History Month. Working with the Urban Indigenous Project Manager in Hamilton, the diocese will be hosting a blanket exercise early in the month and encouraging everyone to attend the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on June 21 at the Hamilton waterfront or check your own communities to build local relationships.
Before your calendar gets filled up with the likes of National Onion Rings Day (June 22) and National Teddy Bear Day (September 9), please be sure to put these and other social justice events on your calendar so we can create the kind of equitable world where we all have time and resources to celebrate kitties, pie and ice cream everyday if we want to.
Deirdre Pike is the diocese’s Justice and Outreach Program Consultant. She also serves on the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, and is a regular contributor to the Hamilton Spectator.
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