Registration

Back in June 2011 at the 40th AGA of our great Society, the hosting of the 44th AGA was awarded to the Hamilton Particular Council. The first Conference in Hamilton was started in 1865 and 150 years later in 2015, our Council and Conferences are throwing a huge party and inviting all our Vincentian brothers and sisters to "Touchdown in Hamilton" to help us celebrate this most significant milestone. We wish to assure you that each delegate will have nothing but a grand time while here in Hamilton.

The theme, "Extend a Hand to Our Neighbours in Need", is a modern day derivative of the command by Moses to the Israelites found in the Old Testament Book of Deuteronomy 15:11 and emphasizes once more that calling or vocation that all Vincentians have answered. This brings to mind the lyrics from a song, by Diana Ross of "The Supremes", that invites all people to "Reach out and touch Somebody's hand, Make this world a better place if you can", which is something that we do by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and joy.

We invite you to get to Hamilton in time to take in one of the three tours that we will be offering during the afternoon on Wednesday, June 24th . The first tour will be a bus trip to Niagara Falls (one of the wonders of the world), along with a visit to a winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake for a tour and a taste of the "fruit of the vine" (you may purchase one or two souvenirs there), and if time permits a short stop at a chocolate factory. The second tour will be a Museum Tour of two of Hamilton's National Historic Sites, Whitehern House and Dundurn Castle as well as a tour of the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. The third tour will be a visit to the Good Shepherd facilities in downtown Hamilton. When registering for the Conference please indicate your interest in the tours so we may properly prepare. Following the Regional meetings that evening, we will join with our brothers and sisters from the Province of Quebec to celebrate the Feast of St. John the Baptist.

We have a number of workshops set for you and these encompass Spirituality, Systemic Change, Social Justice, Causes of Poverty, some Vincentian History, Society work in the North, the Stores and Twinning(reps from the Caribbean and Peru are expected to join us). Most workshops are repeated at different times to ensure that each delegate gets an opportunity to attend his/her workshop of choice. The Opening Ceremonies will take place at the Royal Botanical Gardens pavilion on Thursday 25th , on Friday 26th we will host a BBQ dinner at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum where we will get to tour the museum before dining in a setting surrounded by vintage planes. Dependent on weather conditions, five people will get an opportunity to take a twenty minute flight in the Hamilton skies in one of the vintage planes. (Tickets for this raffle will be available at the hospitality table). The closing Mass on Saturday will be celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King by a number of Bishops and Priests. The Knights of Columbus will also honour us with their presence. Following the Commissioning Ceremony, the Closing Banquet will be held at the Hamilton Convention Centre.

The members of our Organizing Committee are all very enthusiastic and are anxiously awaiting your arrival to join in our celebration of 150 years of Vincentian service in Hamilton. We also have numerous volunteers that will help you enjoy your attendance at the SSVP AGA2015 as well as your stay in Hamilton. We do hope to see many of you in June.

Guido Kelly,
Chair, Organizing Committee,
SSVP AGA2015