Catholic life for YCDSB families
Follow the Church year with confidence.
Major 2026–27 Catholic liturgical dates and YCDSB Markham Area 2 school namesake days, explained for families with links to official Canadian and YCDSB sources.
Today in Toronto
Checking today’s date…
Use the official Canadian calendar for the complete daily observance.
Two useful calendars—kept clearly separate
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops publishes the liturgical calendar used in Canada. YCDSB also publishes dates associated with its school namesakes. A school’s namesake date is not always identical to the universal liturgical observance, so this guide does not merge the two sources.
YCDSB lists August 14 as Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy’s school date, while the Canadian liturgical calendar observes Blessed Michael McGivney on August 13. Both are shown as their respective sources publish them.
Major Catholic dates for 2026–27
These dates come from the CCCB’s Canadian liturgical calendars. Movable celebrations change from year to year, so families should use the current-year source rather than assume last year’s date.
Autumn, Advent and Christmas 2026
All Saints — Solemnity
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe — Solemnity
First Sunday of Advent
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary — Solemnity
Nativity of the Lord — Solemnity
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph — Feast
Lent and Easter 2027
Mary, the Holy Mother of God — Solemnity
Epiphany of the Lord — Solemnity
Baptism of the Lord — Feast
Ash Wednesday
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Holy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Sunday — Solemnity
Easter season and summer 2027
Ascension of the Lord — Solemnity
Pentecost Sunday — Solemnity
Most Holy Trinity — Solemnity
Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ — Solemnity
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus — Solemnity
Nativity of Saint John the Baptist — Solemnity
Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles — Solemnity
Markham Area 2 school namesake dates
These are the school dates currently published by YCDSB for the Catholic school communities in Markham Area 2, Wards 4, 5, 7 and 8. A school may schedule its celebration differently; check its current calendar for assemblies, liturgies or activities.
| School | Published date |
|---|---|
| St. Brother André Catholic High School | January 7 |
| St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School, Markham | March 17 |
| St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Markham | March 19 |
| St. Julia Billiart Catholic Elementary School | April 8 |
| St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Elementary School | April 17 |
| Sir Richard W. Scott Catholic Elementary School | April 23 |
| St. Benedict Catholic Elementary School | July 11 |
| Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy | August 14 |
| St. Edward Catholic Elementary School | October 13 |
| St. Francis Xavier Catholic Elementary School | December 3 |
YCDSB’s source page is currently labelled 2025–26. It was last checked for this guide on August 29, 2026 and should be rechecked when YCDSB publishes its next calendar.
Common family questions
What is the difference between a Solemnity, Feast and Memorial?
These are different ranks of liturgical celebration. Solemnities have the highest rank, Feasts mark important mysteries or saints, and Memorials honour saints within the weekday liturgy. Sundays and seasons can affect which observance is celebrated on a particular date.
Are YCDSB school namesake days the same as the Catholic liturgical calendar?
Often they correspond, but not always. YCDSB’s school list and the Canadian liturgical calendar serve different purposes, so this page identifies their sources separately.
Where should families verify a date?
Use the CCCB calendar for Canadian liturgical observances, the YCDSB namesakes page for board-published school dates, and the school’s own calendar for a scheduled local celebration.
Related parent resources
Preparing for a sacrament? Check parish dates separately from feast days and school events. The guide to First Communion and Confirmation registration explains what families arrange with the parish.
Sources and independence
- Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops: General Roman Calendar
- CCCB Liturgical Calendar 2025–26
- CCCB Liturgical Calendar 2026–27
- YCDSB: Feast Days and Namesakes
Last verified: August 29, 2026. Liturgical information is based on the official Canadian Catholic calendar. YCDSB school namesake dates are verified against YCDSB’s published calendar. This is an independent resource and is not an official YCDSB publication.