An Introduction to

Natural Family Planning

Presented by Al and Adrienne Keagler

Teaching Couple certified by the Couple-to-Couple League

. Why NFP?

. How to get started

. How NFP enhances marriage

. No experience necessary!

 TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2004

7:00 P.M.

 Saint Joseph Church, Shelton, Connecticut

(Exit 14 off of Rte. 8, N or S)

In the Upper Room

(behind rectory, above garage)

 No need to pre-register, cost is free.

Light refreshments will be served.

 For more information, contact St. Joseph Rectory at (203) 924-8611

For more NFP info, please visit  http://fairfieldcounty.ccli.org

    WHAT IS NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING?

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!

Wanting what's best

When it comes to marriage, most people want what's best for themselves and for their spouse: they want to do whatever will strengthen their marriage and whatever will bring them happiness.

Many people assume that in the course of marriage, some form of artificial contraception will make their marriage easier and better. Across the country, however, thousands of couples are discovering that their assumptions about family planning should be given another look.

Isn't the Church out of date?

It's often said that "the Church needs to get with the times on birth control." In other words, the Church should change its teaching on the subject. But our society needs to hear the truth, beauty, and the relevance of the Church's timeless teaching on this subject now more than ever.

Most Catholics know what the Church teaches about birth control, but not many know why. Far from being an arbitrary, outdated rule to be easily dismissed, the Church's teaching on marriage is so sorely needed because it respects the incredibly beautiful way God has designed human fertility, sexuality, and love itself.

"I promise to be true to you..."

When a man and woman get married, they pledge that they will be true to each other. They promise to give of themselves, wholeheartedly and unselfishly, for better, for worse, until death. They promise to be truthful and generous with each other, with their words, their actions, and with their bodies.

When birth control is used, however,- an element of selfishness is introduced into the most intimate aspect of the spouses' relationship. An act that should say "I love you" in the most profound way possible is turned into a kind of lie.

By withholding part of themselves from each other, the spouses are in effect saying to each other, "I want you right now, not for who you are, but only for the pleasure you can give me."  When couples practice artificial contraception, they're telling each other a lie -- not with their words, but with their bodies.

In the 1960's, the divorce rate began to skyrocket, as did out-of-wedlock births, spousal abuse, and other societal ills. Why? The trends are traceable in large measure to the advent of the birth control pill. Artificial contraception always harms marriage and family life, whether people realize it or not.

So what's the alternative? ...It's NOT what you think!

The morally acceptable alternative to artificial contraception is Natural Family Planning  (NFP).   NFP is  NOT the ineffective and obsolete Urhythm" method! Rather, NFP is a method of carefully observing and recording information about how a woman's body works, and how signs such as waking temperature and mucus changes throughout her cycle reflect chemical changes that prepare for or follow ovulation. Based on that, spouses know when to be sexually intimate and when to abstain.

Why NFP?

NFP is superior to artificial contraception because it respects the way that God has designed the fertility of husband and wife. It is in accord with the moral teaching of Christ and His Church, whereas contraception is not.      \NFP is always open to at least the possibility of life.

The Church does not teach that couples must have as many children as possible, but every couple is called to generosity. Couples who accept the Church's teaching and practice NFP reap the rewards of welcoming God into every aspect of their marriage: they're generally very happy in their family life, are very at peace, and radiate love of life, love of each other, and love of their children. NFP can only help your marriage!

What's so good about NFP?

* NFP is 99% effective... 99 % !

* Couples who practice NFP have a divorce rate of less than 5%, while the national average of people who divorce (almost all of whom practice some form of artificial contraception) is around 50%.

* NFP is all-natural, increases real communication between spouses, and rejects the use of barriers, devices, and chemicals that are offensive to human dignity and often pose serious health risks.

Where can I learn more?

The way to learn NFP is by taking a course with a teaching couple certified by the Couple to Couple League. Is it a sacrifice to learn NFP? It can be, but all love involves sacrifice, or it's not love at all. Is your marriage worth it and will God bless you for your generosity? DEFINITELY!

Classes are offered year-round, in Trumbull, Newtown, or Danbury. Contact one of the following certified teaching couples in our area: Stan and Mary Wolpiuk, in Trumbull: 459-0178, e-mail NFP4Life@snetnet; or Albert and Adrienne Keogler, in Newtown: 270-9544.

A final word

Simply put, NFP helps marriages, because it's the way God wants married couples to live. Pray about it God calls all married couples to be generous with Him and with each other, and He is never outdone in generosity. As one woman wrote to her NFP teaching couple: "I want to thank you for what you have brought into my life. I was on the Pill, and while I was happy with its effectiveness, something was missing. I now feel so much healthier -- physically and spiritually. II

INFO ON THE NET:

            http://fairfieldcounty.ccli.org and www.bridgeportdiocese.com/familylife.shtml

Special thanks to Rev. Bro. Nicholas Lombardo, D.P., to Al andAdrienne Keogler, and to the Couple to Couple League for materials used in the compilation of this insert.