105th ANNIVERSARY
Celebrate more than a century of the Catholic Women's League
Sparkle God’s Way As Beacons of Hope!
Diocesan 105th Anniversary Convention
Friday, May 30 – Sunday, June 1, 2025
Holiday Inn / Candlewood Suites, 3063 S Service Rd, Burlington, ON L7N 3E9
Dearest League sisters,
On behalf of the Diocesan Executive Team, and further to my “hold the date announcement”, it is with great joy and heartfelt excitement that I extend to you a warm invitation to the 105th Hamilton Diocesan Annual General Meeting and Convention, taking place from May 30 - June 1, 2025, at the Holiday Inn & Candlewood Suites Burlington Hotel & Conference Centre in Burlington, Ontario.
A meaningful AGM/Convention has been planned with opportunities for learning, spiritual enrichment, fun, and friendship. Our convention theme, "Sparkle God's Way as Beacons of Hope," celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope, and beautifully connects with the National, Provincial, and Diocesan themes. This weekend will be a time of renewal, growth, sisterhood, and celebrating our faith and mission for God and Canada.
Here’s a preview of the start of our weekend:
- Friday, May 30:
- Registration: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- President’s Pre-Convention Meeting: 2:00 – 3:00 pm
- Interactive Workshop/Presentation (All members welcome): 3:00 – 4:30 pm
- Spiritual Advisor’s Meeting with Fr. Ranjan D’Sa: 3:00 – 4:30 pm
- President’s & Spiritual Advisor’s Sit-Down Dinner with His Excellency Bishop Douglas Crosby: 4:30 pm (All members are invited!)
- Opening Mass & Ceremonies: 7:00 pm at St. Raphael's Church, Burlington, officiated by Bishop Douglas Crosby, followed by a reception in the church hall.
All dinners are sit-down full service meals!
A full hot/cold breakfast buffet will greet you on Saturday and Sunday morning before our daytime sessions commence. We will begin our Saturday session in a beautiful way by beginning together in faith with the celebration of Mass at 8:15am. Our vendors will be setup and ready bright and early Saturday morning until 5:30pm.
A wonderfully enriching weekend awaits with a beautiful closing Mass at 3pm on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at St. Andrew’s Church in Oakville, which is one of our diocesan designated Holy Doors for the Jubilee Year of Hope. We will return to the hotel for a cocktail hour and a Gala Banquet with presentations and awards.
This year is online registration and payment by e-transfer or by cheque.
We’re pleased to host our convention in a newly renovated hotel with discounted rates for accommodations, meals, and facilities. Please register and book your rooms early to avoid disappointment.
Deadline for registration and hotel bookings is May 20, 2025. This is the final date for all registrations, meals, transportation, and hotel bookings.
Convention Registration is now open. If you wish to see documents for the event, you may do so here:
If you just need a document or two, individual forms and letters can be downloaded here:
President's Letter • Registration Form (Word Doc Version) • Diocesan Credential Form (Word Doc Version) • Diocesan Meals & Transportation Form (Word Doc Version) • Convention Menu • First Time Members to Convention (Word Doc Version) • Life Member Convention Incentive Fund (Word Doc Version) • Tentative Agenda (still to come) • Silent Auction Donation Form (Word Doc Version)
The following is a sample of some highlights that await you:
- His Excellency Bishop Douglas Crosby presiding over the Opening Mass
- Keynote Speaker Dr. Linda Dudar – Woman of Faith, Leadership, and Service
- Distinguished guests, Indigenous Elder Wilamina Grimmond, National President-Elect Betty Colaneri, Provincial President Colleen Martin, (and others to be announced shortly).
- Closing Mass at St. Andrew’s in Oakville, one of our Holy Door Churches for Jubilee Year of Hope
- Interactive Plenary and Leadership Sessions/Workshops
- Mass celebrations, vigil prayers and services, crowning of Mary, and other spiritual enrichments
- Sacred, devotional, and uplifting music
- Many “Sparkling” Vendors (Saturday ONLY from 7am – 5:30pm)
- Silent Auction
- A licensed 50/50 Draw
- A Fun-Filled Karaoke Night for our Saturday Entertainment
- Sparkle giveaways
As outlined in our League Constitution and Bylaws (Part XIV Section 6: Expenses for Voting Delegates), all parish council presidents must attend the convention as voting delegates. Each parish may also send two accredited delegates, which is strongly encouraged. Parish councils are responsible for covering the president’s or representative’s expenses.
Please share the registration package with your members and Spiritual Advisor. All are warmly encouraged to attend.
Return completed registration forms to Joanne Gregson by:
- Email (scan and send): [email protected]
- Mail: 80-6478 5th Line, Fergus, ON N1M 2W5
- Or Online above
A tentative agenda will be shared later this week to reflect updates for one of our special guests.
Important: Before registering, parish presidents must ensure that:
- Membership fees are submitted to the National Office
- The $100 Annual Administration Fee is sent to the Diocesan Treasurer
- This allows all council members to register for the convention free of charge.
On behalf of the entire Diocesan Team, we can’t wait to welcome you, your members, and your Spiritual Advisor with open arms and joyful hearts. May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us as we prepare for this blessed event.
We look forward to seeing you in Burlington from May 30 – June 1, 2025. Safe travels!
If you have any questions, please reach out to your regional chairs. They’ll be happy to help.
With gratitude and prayers,
Teresa
Teresa DiFalco, President
Hamilton Diocesan Council - The Catholic Women's League of Canada
May Our Lady of Good Counsel Pray for Us.
*PLEASE NOTE: No outdoor food or beverages are permitted in the convention meeting space. Reusable water bottles are permitted, however there will be water and glasses provided during our meetings.*