Annual National Formation (ANF)
McMaster University, Hamilton
Thursday, June 19 to Saturday, June 21, 2025
Registration
Registration for the Annual National Formation (ANF) is now closed.
ANF Program and Workshop Schedule
ANF Program
Workshop Schedule
Workshop Descriptions
Key Details
Registration and Accommodation
- Event Venue: Registration, presentations and workshops will be held at the Peter George Centre for Living & Learning (PGCLL).
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Registration and Hospitality Hours: Wednesday 4:00pm – 6:00pm |
Boutique Hours: Thursday 12:30pm – 4:30pm |
- Wifi Network: MAC-EVENTS
Password: SSVP2025
For Wi-Fi service in booked rooms, please use your individual username and password obtained upon check-in.
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- Accommodations: Participants will stay at Les Prince Hall or PGCLL, based on preference. All guests must register at the PGCLL lobby. Additional accommodation details will be emailed by McMaster Conference & Event Services on June 13.
- Saturday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica: Bus transportation will be provided – please meet in front of the TOGO Salmon Hall – Departure at 4:15pm.
Breakfast and Lunch
- Breakfast included in all room bookings.
- Wednesday and Sunday (7:00am-9:00am): Continental served in the PGCLL Café
- Thursday, Friday, Saturday (7:30am-9:00am): Served at Centro buffet, Commons Building
- Lunches (12:00pm – 1:30pm) and breaks are included with paid registrations. All lunches will be served at Centro buffet, in the Commons Building
Dinners
Dinners:
Dinners must be purchased separately and in advance.
- Wednesday Dinner (5pm-7pm): Held at the Buttery restaurant, in the Alumni Memorial Hall (AMH).
- Thursday Dinner & Entertainment (5:30pm – 9:30pm) : Held at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. Bus transportation will be provided – please meet in front of the TOGO Salmon Hall at 5:15pm – Departure at 5:30pm.
- Friday Evening Gala (6:30pm): Held at The Loft, located inside The Hub (corner of Stearn Drive and Michelle Crescent, beside the stadium and adjacent to PGCLL).
- Saturday Dinner (6:30pm-7:30pm): Served at Centro buffet, in the Commons Building.
Travelling Discounts
We’ve partnered with select providers to offer our members special discounts on train and plane travel to the ANF! – Access Discounts for trips to the ANF here.
Travel to McMaster University and Campus Parking
Campus Map
Parking
For directions via Google Maps, search: PGCLL, Hamilton
Parking
The closest parking to PGCLL is Lot G, with additional space in Lot H.
- Register for parking using the Honk Mobile app (the ‘Zone ID’ for G & H is 4922)
- Open the Honk app and click the Zone ID tile in the top left corner of the app and type in 4922.
- Rates: $12/day on weekdays, $8/day on weekends (subject to change).
- Your booking includes in & out privileges for the duration—set your start & end dates when registering.
How to travel to McMaster
Taxi services from the Toronto airports or train station are quite expensive. Please refer to the transport guide –Travel to McMaster University and Campus Parking – for detailed instructions on reaching McMaster University efficiently.
Travelling Discounts
We’ve partnered with select providers to offer our members special discounts on train and plane travel to the ANF! – Access Discounts for trips to the ANF here.
Tour - Wednesday June 18
Arrive early, the day before the official opening of the ANF, and explore the breathtaking beauty of Niagara Falls or discover Hamilton’s National Historic Sites.
Choose Between Two Exciting Tour Options: Niagara Falls or Hamilton:
Option 1: Tour to the Majestic Niagara Falls
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- With stops at a chocolate shop and a winery
- Ticket price: $40
Itinerary:
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- 11:00 AM – Departure from McMaster University to Niagara Falls
- 12:00 noon – Lunch at your cost
- 1:30 PM – Visit a chocolate shop in Niagara Falls
- 2:45 PM – Wine tasting at Caroline Cellars in the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
- 4:15 PM – Return to McMaster
Option 2: Discover Hamilton’s National Historic Sites
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- Visit the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, consecrated in 1933. Your ticket includes transportation and all museum entrance fees.
- Ticket price: $40
Itinerary:
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- 10:15 AM – Departure from McMaster University
- 10:30 AM to 12:00 noon – Visit of Dundurn Castle, a historic 40 room neoclassical mansion, completed in 1835.
- 12:00 noon – Lunch at your cost
- 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM – Whitehern Historic Home, a Late Classical house built shortly before 1850.
- 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM – Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King guided visit.
- 4:30 PM – Return to McMaster
About the ANF
The organizing committee has toured the gorgeous and modern facilities of McMaster University in Hamilton and we are planning exciting and fun outings.
We’re continuing to build our schedule, SSVP CGI President Juan Manuel B. Gomez will be addressing participants and we will be joined by John Berry, the SVdP USA president. In addition you will be able to take a day trip out to majestic Niagara Falls, with stops in a chocolate factory and a winery.
We are also very excited to announce that Dr Donna Beegle (www.combarriers.com) will captivate you with an informative, inspirational and motivational keynote presentation on June 20th. She will present tools from her own journey from abject poverty to a Doctorate to work more effectively with families who live in the crisis of poverty, and improve communication across poverty barriers.
2025 Presentations:
Our Spiritual Connection to Mother Earth – Don McAulay
Welcome-Bienvenue – Linda Dollard, National Council President
International Presentation – Juan Manuel B. Gomez, Président CGI President
Strategic Planning – The future of the SSVP – Denise Ouellette
Keynote – Msgr. Con O’Mahony
Adapting to a Changing World through the Eyes of Frédéric Ozanam – Ray Sickinger & Tim Williams
Communicating across poverty barriers – Dr. Donna Beegle
Spiritual Reflection – Bishop Yvan Mathieu
SPOTLIGHT ON HAMILTON
Fundraising – Donations are not enough – John van der Zalm
Living Intentionally – Elia Hernandez-Moreno
Ray Sickinger & Tim Williams: Adapting to a Changing World through the Eyes of Frédéric Ozanam
Today’s Housing Crisis & What We Can Do About It – Syl Roach, National Housing Committee
Personal Encounters with our Neighbours in Need – Linda Dollard, National President
Seeds of Hope Walking Alongside our Neighours as an Informed Navigator to Access Resources – Linda Alexander
Love your donor to love your neighbour – Philippe Blain – Executive Director
Evolving food security and community connections programming in Vancouver Island – Derek Pace & Karlee Grant
Service Canada Overview – Colleen Hynes & Catherine Cousins introduced by Maria Scattolon, Citizen Services Specialist with Service Canada (Hamilton, ON)
Forming a Conference in the SSVP – Heather Schilling, President, Western Regional Council
Presentation of the 2024 report by the International Commission on Aid and Development (CIAD) – Jean-Noël Cormier, National Past President
Hey …. What’s the BIG (Basic Income Guarantee) Idea? – Danny Bourne & Corry Wink Co-chairs of the SSVP National Advocacy Committee
Mission-Driven Textile Recycling: Boost Revenue, Honour Donations, Lead with Stewardship – Tonny Colyn NACTR
Evolving back to Youth involvement in SSVP – Lil Mulder, Peter Giordano, Linda Alexander Sponsored by ONRC Rejuvenation Committee
Twinning Through A Different Lens – Joan and Michel Tisi National Twinning CoChairs
Funding with Grants – Better than Bakesales! – Kathy Maksymec
Let’s Open Doors – How Faith Communities Can Lead in Housing Solutions? – Justin DeWaard & Teresa Howe Indwell
Why is Prison Ministry a Fundamental Role in the Evolution of the SSVP? – Deacon Brian Dunn, Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Hamilton
North of 60 is more than a handout to our neighbours in need – Pegg Leroux National North of 60 Chair, Baudoin Kutuka, Paul Bertrand & Shelia Keats
Social Justice: Mother Earth and the air we breathe – Luisi Chacon, Charlie Appleton & Lil Mulder