2026 Men’s Conference
Family Culture: Leading with Intention
The event begins Friday, October 23 at 5:30 PM and concludes Sunday, October 25 at 11:30 AM.
About the Conference
The Arnold Hall Men’s Conference aims to help Catholic men to live out their vocation, first as husbands and fathers, and then through work, friendship and community involvement.
The theme this year is Family Culture: Leading with Intention. Just like countries, schools, and businesses, a family has a particular culture – whether intentional or not. This conference will explore a father’s unique opportunity to set and maintain a family culture that leverages his family’s own particular gifts.
Through talks, discussions and case studies, attendees will gain practical ideas for building a culture in the home that guides the family’s interior and apostolic lives.
The conference includes talks, guided reflections, small group discussions, and ample time for get togethers, including meals. There will also be time for Mass, prayer, and confession.
Starts with a light buffet dinner
$325. Discounts are available
Arnold Hall Conference Center, One Randall Street, Pembroke MA 02359
Keynote Speakers
Martin Bowles
Sanctifying Family LifeMr. Bowles is the headmaster of the Camino School in Orange County, California. In 2001, He and his wife, Julia, helped to found St. Monica Academy, an independent Catholic classical school for grades 1-12 in Montrose, California. He was on the school’s Board of Directors for 15 years, including serving as its president. Now he teaches American History to high school seniors. Additionally, Mr. Bowles serves on the board of directors for Christendom College, a Catholic liberal arts college in Front Royal, Virginia.
Professionally, Martin has spent 34 years in the Litigation Department at the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis, 24 of those as partner. Among other cases, he successfully defended BP against the United States Department of Justice in the trial to quantify the oil spilled after the Deepwater Horizon explosion.
Martin graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Dartmouth College in 1980 with a degree in geology and did mineral exploration for Kennecott Corporation from 1979 to 1982. He received his JD and MBA degrees from Stanford University in 1986. Martin and Julia have nine children, one of whom, Molly, is one of the founding members of the The Camino School.
Mr. Houde is the Director of the Lower School at Sparhawk Academy in Millis, MA. A native of Topsham, Maine, Mr. Houde graduated as valedictorian from Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida with a BA in Classics and Early Christian Literature. He spent the following two years teaching Latin and Humanities at the Rhodora J. Donahue Academy in Florida. Mr. Houde graduated with a Masters in Secondary School Education from the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain in June 2018. Alongside teaching, he coaches soccer and baseball at Sparhawk, and is an outdoor enthusiast, Irish fiddle player, and Eagle Scout.
The Moral Imagination of Children