“Why do we need to be culturally and spiritually sensitive? The Joint Commission holds hospitals accountable for addressing and maintaining patient rights. These rights include the accommodation of cultural, religious, spiritual, and personal values as well as to religious and other spiritual practices. Health care professionals are entrusted to care for patients as whole persons - body, mind and spirit. The health care approach is interdisciplinary and encompassing. It is important then, for that approach to be culturally and spiritually sensitive. In addition, health care professionals need to be empowered with the capacity, skills, and knowledge to respond to the unique needs of each patient and their loved ones.

The Joint Commission is developing proposed accreditation requirements for hospitals to advance effective communication, cultural competence, and patient-centered care.”

The Rev. George Handzo, BCC

Vice President, Pastoral Care Leadership & Practice

HealthCare Chaplaincy, New York

SEPTEMBER DIVERSITY 2012

CHRISTIANITY – September 1 (Gregorian calendar) September 13 (Julian calendar). Eastern Churches throughout the world begin their Ecclesiastical New Year. “Creator of the universe, setting times and seasons by Your sole authority, bless the cycle of the year of Your grace (Apolytikion).”

SIKHISM – September 1. First Parkash commemorates the installation of the Adi Granth (the first edition of the Sikh Scriptures) at Harimandir Sahib by the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in 1604 CE.

SCIENTOLOGY – September 9. Auditor’s Day, a day to recognize “Auditors,” Scientology ministers who help others discover their spiritual nature and heritage.

ZARATHUSHTI (ZOROASTRIANISM) – September 12 – 16. Ghambar Paitishem celebrates the creation of the earth and the harvesting of the summer crop.

NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH (USA) September 15 to October 15. Many Hispanic Americans trace their roots to the cultures of the Americas including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Spain, Central and South America. Latinos from all across the nation take time to reflect upon their history, customs and culture, as well as the contributions they have made to the USA.

JUDAISM–September 17-18. Rosh Hashanah – New Year’s Day—year 5773, and anniversary of the creation of the world. It begins at sundown the previous day. The first of the Ten Days of Awe (or Repentance). Reform Jews celebrate it for one day and other Jews for two days.

BUDDHISM – September 19-25. Higan-e (to reach the other shore) starts three days before the Autumnal Equinox, and finishes three days after that day, continuing for a total of one week. It is a time to honor ancestors and to come together to chant the name of Amida Buddha.

HINDUISM – September 19. Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birthday of Ganesha, God of Success and a major Hindu deity. He is invoked at the beginning of all new undertakings. He is known as the “remover of all obstacles.”

JAINISM – September 20 – 29. The Digambara sect celebrates Dashalak-shani-parva for 10 days of fasting, worship, meditation, confession, and by dedicating each day to a virtue: forgiveness, humility, honesty, purity, truthfulness, self-restraint, asceticism, study, detachment, and celibacy. On the 29th, Ananta-chaturdasi (Festival of Ten Virtues) is the holiest day.

EARTH-BASED SPIRITUALITIES– September 22. Mabon, or Harvest Home, celebrates life’s encapsulation as a seed to survive the cold, barren winter; and the Harvest of the Vine, which as wine symbolizes the Goddess’ power to transform youth’s sweet nectar into old age, wisdom and spiritual maturity.

SHINTO – September 22. Shuki-sorei-sai, the September equinox memorial service is held at home altars to revere ancestors as kami. Gravesites are cleaned and purified.

JUDAISM – September 26. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the year’s holiest day and a day of fasting. To re-establish oneness with God, Jews ask forgiveness and forgive others. They can then confess their sins and ask God’s forgiveness. Yom Kippur begins at sundown the previous day.

JAINISM – September 30. On Ksamavani, Jains ask forgiveness of others for wrongs committed during the previous year, and likewise forgive those who caused them suffering.

NOTE: The above is not a complete calendar and is intended only as an example of some of the kinds of festivals, holy days, and religious observances of America's many religious communities. It is composed from sites for interfaith calendars on the web and the Multifaith Calendar 2012, published by the Multifaith Action Society of Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada. To purchase the Multifaith Calendar, visit in the USA; or in Canada and elsewhere.

Peace and all good,

Ed Horvat, BCC

Pastoral and Spiritual Care

MonongaliaGeneralHospital

Morgantown, WV26505

(304) 598-1952