SOLD OUT: National Family Conference
Internationally acclaimed speaker Chris Stefanick features at the fully booked Inaugural National Family Conference in October.
Known for his dynamic talks and inspiring presentations, Chris brings a wealth of experience in helping families and individuals deepen their faith and embrace the joy of Catholic family life.
His keynote, broadcast live from the USA, promises to be a highlight of this landmark event that takes place on Saturday 25 October 2025, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at St Bride’s Hall, Muir Street, Motherwell, ML1 1PP.
The conference will also feature engaging talks, prayer, and opportunities for community, celebrating the gift of marriage and family life.
Participants will be encouraged to reflect, share, and connect with other families in a welcoming and faith-filled environment.
The event is organised by the National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland.
Timetable
10.00am
Registration
10.30am
Opening Prayer & Welcome
11.00am
Keynote Speakers 1: John & Angela Deighan – addressing 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 several cafes within a five minute walk of the venue.
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)
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.
Children
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.
SOLD OUT National Family Conference
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.
Edinburgh couple praise benefits of Natural Family Planning
52 years ago this weekend, Pope St Paul VI published his encyclical 'On Human Life' (Humanae Vitae). Today couples in our Archdiocese are benefiting from Pope Paul’s vision and the science he inspired.
Research* and experience suggests that couples using Natural Family Planning have longer and happier marriages.
Pope Francis, in his letter 'The Joy of Love' has called on married couples to “be generous in bestowing life”, so Natural Family Planning (NFP) and an openness to life have always been part of married life for Edinburgh couple, Jenny and Lee Patterson.
Married for over 30 years, both feel that NFP supports married life because husband and wife share the responsibility of planning their family.
“It promotes discussion and shared decisions” Jenny says. “It means we’re together in this and the other person is saying 'I’m on your side'."
Lee says: “I like the fact that, with NFP, sex isn’t reduced to just an ‘activity’, it becomes part of the fabric of a couple’s life.”
Effective
As a qualified midwife Jenny knows that conception isn’t always guaranteed and is keen to state that the Billings NFP method is effective in helping couples to have a baby.
“It really helps to identify the shared fertility of the couple without expensive medications or treatments and is a positive way of supporting the creation of life. The loss or lack of conception is a big reality today” she said.
Dr Adrian Treloar (pictured below) from the Catholic Medical Association says: “For couples who use Natural Family Planning, data shows some very positive outcomes in terms of psychological measures, communication between husband and wife, and also marital stability.
"Using Natural Family Planning appears to be associated with happier marriage - it is rarely associated with divorce - and NFP couples are more likely to self-describe their family life as successful.
“The research hints that in our sexual lives, when we cooperate with our natural, God-given, biological fertility and sexuality we seem to fare better medically, socially and emotionally - ie, we are healthier.”
Marie Sandison volunteers with Fertility Care Scotland to give couples information on avoiding or achieving pregnancy using Natural Fertility Regulation. She said: "The Billings Ovulation Method allows women to observe daily patterns of fertility and infertility and needs only simple observations. It can be used throughout a woman's life.”
Fertility Care Scotland run regular clinics and teaching is available online during the current Covid 19 situation: Contact: Fertility Care Scotland Email: info@fertilitycare.org.uk or call/text: 07903300376. Visit www.fertilitycare.org.uk for more information or follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
*http://lifeissues.net/writers/wils/wils_01naturalfamilyplanning1.html
Holy Week: Family resources
Holy Week is almost upon us. We've compiled a daily guide for families so that children are prepared spiritually for Easter!
- 'Holy Week: Day by Day' can be viewed here
- A help guide for parents/carers is here
- A Children's Stations of the Cross is here
Purpose
The online booklet was put together by our Catechetics Commission. It give children a basic overview of the importance of Holy Week and can be adapted depending on the child's age. It will also:
• engage them in the events which occurred during the last days of Jesus’ life on earth
• give them an overview of some of the practices that they will witness in their parishes/homes during this time
• encourage children to begin to relate Jesus’ suffering with his love
This Sunday
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. A stay-at-home Children's Liturgy guide for families is available.
- Sunday 05 April, Palm Sunday, Year A. Click here.
As palms can't be distributed this year Thérèse Feeney, from our Cathechetics commission, has come up with a crafty solution. Parents or carers can help children make a mini palm tree out of newspaper or rolled up coloured card! See below.
