Afternoon Retreat for Couples

Drawing on Saint John Paul II’s deeply insightful plays The Jeweller’s Shop and Radiation of Fatherhood, this retreat explores love, responsibility, and the “law of the gift” at the heart of marriage.

It is presented by acclaimed playwright and theatre-maker Stephen Callaghan and wife Rachel Callaghan.

Through dramatic excerpts, reflection, and personal testimony, Stephen and Rachel share how the wisdom of the Playwright-Pope has profoundly shaped their own journey as a married couple.

Stephen Callaghan is Creative Director of the Archdiocese of Glasgow Arts Project (AGAP) and an internationally recognised playwright, performer & theatre-maker. He has written extensively on faith-related subjects with works including The Margaret Sinclair Story (2016) and Pilgrim of Hope (2025). His play Gaudi: God’s Architect (2024) was a sell-out success at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Rachel Callaghan is a trained theatre director and actor, and a founding member of Catholic Mothers Barrhead, bringing both artistic insight and lived experience of marriage and family life.

This FREE event is titled ‘The Human Drama, Reflecting on the Gift of Marriage through the Plays of Saint Pope John Paul II.’ It is an afternoon retreat for married (and engaged) couples, organised by the Marriage & Families Commission of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. This retreat includes Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament readings and prayers relevant to the vocation of marriage. Questions? Contact VEMarriage@staned.org.uk

INFO

Parking

Each person attending must register. There are around 20 space in the Church car park for around 20

Crèche

There will be a crèche available for children of primary school age and older. If you are bringing a child please let us know.

Tickets

Each person attending needs to register (so that we have all attendee names).

Transport

St Kentigern’s is located at 26 Parkgrove Avenue Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 7QR.

By car: St Kentigern’s has a car park which is free and has around 20 spaces. There is free parking in surrounding streets.

By bus: From Edinburgh, you can take the X58, X54, X55, X61, which stops at Barnton Junction. From there it is a 10 minute walk to the Church at 26 Parkgrove Avenue. We recommend using the Lothian Buses app for routes/times.

From Fife, you can take buses including the X55 and X58 which also stops at Barnton junction.