DATE: FEBRUARY 16, 2009

A MESSAGE TO ALL WESTERN REGION VINCENTIANS

FROM : JOHN HORAN, PRESIDENT, SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL,

ST. BONAVENTURE CONFERENCE, CALGARY, AB.

“WHERE IT ALL BEGAN!”

RE: 2009 WESTERN REGIONAL COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY, TO BE HELD MAY 22 –23 AT ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH,

1600, ACADIA DRIVE SE, CALGARY, AB

I am proud to announce that our Conference will be hosting this year’s Annual General Assembly (AGA) and I wish to extend a warm invitation to you all to come and join your fellow Vincentians in what will be a special celebration. The very first Conference in Alberta was aggregated at St. Bonaventure in September of 1984 – 25 years ago! To mark this milestone it was deemed appropriate to hold this year’s AGA “where it all began!”

In honour of the occasion a special 25th Anniversary Pin has been struck in the design shown at the head of this letter as well as a T-Shirt in St. Vincent blue with the 25th design emblazoned in white in breast pocket style. Every Vincentian who attends the AGA will receive one of each as part of their registration package.

We have an exciting and uplifting weekend in store for you all. The event will kick off Friday evening with a “down home” Calgary Stampede style Western barbecue – so please put your Western duds on for this one!

On Saturday morning the Keynote Address will be given by Bishop Frederick Henry, Bishop of Calgary who all local Vincentians know is a very powerful speaker, noted for his interesting and informative presentations. He will be followed by two outstanding Workshops. Fr. Bob Mitchell, a Franciscan Priest at St. Francis Retreat House in Cochrane, AB will undoubtedly give us all a real, special warm helping of spirituality. Ben Macht, a longtime Calgary Vincentian, will present his widely acclaimed workshop entitled “Beyond The Poor Box”. This is a communications workshop on how a Conference might inform parishioners of its works, find needed resources to serve those in need and develop and renew membership.

The afternoon will be devoted to our leader Pat Bennetto and the actual Annual Meeting of Western Region. There should be lots of time for questions this year. This will be followed by a nice break – 1 ½ hours or so – to allow us all to freshen up for the Big Night ahead – Mass followed by a Banquet featuring live entertainment from Calgary’s premier musical comedy group “Stratus” who some of you will recall played for us at the 2005 National Banquet at SAIT. They will play an hour comedy set towards the end of dinner followed by 2 dance sets – so be sure to bring your dancing shoes! A free glass of wine ( 2 bottles – one red, one white on every table of 8) will accompany dinner followed by a cash bar at $4 per drink for wine, beer and cocktails.

Accommodations

Calgary hotel rates are still on the high side despite the downturn in the economy. The first 2 below are about a 5 minute drive to the church. University of Calgary is more like 45 minutes – other end of city from church.

  1. Wingate Hotel, 400, Midpark Way SE, Calgary (403) 514-0099 . Website – $119.00/night. Holding rooms for us until April 6th. Refer St. Vincent when booking.
  2. Super 8, 60, Shawville Road SE, Calgary (877) 871-7666. $99.00/night. Holding rooms until April 15th. Again, refer to St. Vincent when booking.
  3. University of Calgary 1-877-498-3203 . They will not hold rooms at a guaranteed price without the Society “being on the hook” for the rooms not taken. For example, if we book 15 rooms and only 10 are taken the Society has to pay for the other 5 rooms. We were quoted $74.69 a night, for a minimum of 11 rooms booked, for a studio which has 2 single beds , washroom , no phone, and a kitchen with no dishes or cutlery. They can be rented. Larger units are available for a higher price. For further info call them or send a message with your room requirement to .

We look forward to welcoming you all to St. Bonaventure and celebrating the 25th anniversary of our Society in Alberta! The weekend, by the way, is NOT the May long weekend – that is the week before. If you have any questions about the event please feel free to contact me at (403) 278-2506 or e-mail me at .

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

JOHN HORAN