Families are invited to the Inaugural National Family Conference on Saturday 25 October 2025 from 10:00am to 5:00pm at St Bride’s Hall, Muir Street, Motherwell.
Featuring a keynote by Chris Stefanick (live from the USA), the event celebrates marriage and family life with talks, prayer, and community.
Register with VEmarriage@staned.org.uk, indicating your parish and your space will be confirmed. Early registration ensures priority.
Event organised by the National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, led by Bishop John Keenan.
Timetable
10.00am Registration
10.30am Opening Prayer & Welcome
11.00am Keynote Speakers 1: John & Angela Deighan – what are worries, pressures and challenges faced by families?
11.45am Comfort Break
12.00pm Keynote Speaker 2 – Chris Stefanick (live link from USA) – vision of how ‘Home Church’ could be a source of evangelisation
1.00pm Lunch – families to bring own (tea/coffee/juice/water made available). There is a Wetherspoon's and cafes withing a five minute walk in the town centre
2.00pm Workshop/Group Discussions
3.15pm Comfort Break
3.30pm Families gather before Mass
4.00pm Mass in Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral (next to conference venue)
PLEASE NOTE:
Throughout the morning (11am-1pm) and afternoon (2-3.15pm) sessions, there will be supervised age-appropriate activities provided for children aged 3 years and over in another room within the hall complex – one group for 3 – 9 year olds and one group for those aged 10 years and over.
For those children aged below 3 years, there will be an allocated space set aside for them to play with their toys within the conference hall, in sight of their parents.
Location of Venue
St Bride’s Hall, 31 Coursington Rd, Motherwell ML1 1PP (across street from Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral, Motherwell
Travelling by Train
The nearest train station to St Bride’s Hall is Motherwell Station, approximately a 10 minute walk to St Bride’s Hall.
Travelling by Car
There is a large free car park across from St Bride’s Hall as well as free parking on the street itself.
Travelling by Bus
Bus routes 201, 240, 240X, 242, 266.
