Monday, August 8, 2011
The Catholic Equivalent of Shark Week
Last week saw the conclusion to NFP Awareness Week as declared by the USCCB. A little odd for a title? Maybe, but nonetheless, why not spend some time becoming more aware AND spreading awareness of NFP to others? This is one of those areas where the Church shines brightest and provides the most help for the world that is so confused about sexuality that most today don't know which way is up.
The Bishops' website has some very good materials to help people become informed about Natural Family Planning. Click here to explore all of the wonderful resources. The video at the top of this post is a preview for the following video you can order by clicking here - it looks really well done, and is only 28 minutes.
If you have questions about NFP schedule an appointment with a priest who believes in it and unlock the key to happy and successful marriages. Even those who are not currently married will benefit tremendously from learning about NFP, and enabling ourselves to spread the good news about God's plan for those who are married. Sometimes I think it is those of us who are unmarried who are most aware of the central role that the institution of marriage plays in transforming our society into a civilization of Love.
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Works for us...Brought us closer to God as a couple.
ReplyDeleteI find it curious that you wrote "find a priest who believes in it". When I entered the Church, I really struggled with NFP (and still do, honestly) and went to my RCIA leader, who told me it was okay to use birth control. Then I spoke to my priest, who told me I wouldn't go to hell for using a piece of plastic or a pill. Is this more the norm? Do most priests and church leaders not believe in NFP? I only know of one family that practices NFP (obviously I don't know everyone's business but plenty of people in my church have been happy to share how they got fixed or whatever, not that I asked). I find it so discouraging to only find mention of NFP on websites and blogs!
ReplyDeleteI find it so discouraging to only find mention of NFP on websites and blogs!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is frustrating. And I also had big problems with NFP. Well, to put it bluntly, there were problems in my marriage and when the mask of contraception was removed, NFP laid bare those problems (thankfully not too late that they couldn't be fixed). Also, the one time I mentioned the frustrations of NFP in confession, the priest didn't balk and said he couldn't grant permission to use ABC (not that I was asking for it, he just wanted to be clear) God bless him! So there are priests out there who won't fudge on this teaching. Unfortunately, publically there is too much silence from the pulpit on this. While I am sure there are some priests who reject the teaching (one is too many of course), I think most are silent out of fear of confrontation and people walking out. Have no fear.
NFP-still another way for the church to try to get around the issue of birth control. How hypocritical to state that this is natural-calendars, temperature taking etc. Can the church ever get a handle on loving sexuality-not with repression, oppression, and limiting the loving exprssion of individulas one to another.
ReplyDeleteWhen you talk to people who practice NFP, and I have talked to a TON of them, they will tell you NFP is the opposite of repression and oppression
ReplyDeleteExactly Father. Frankly, people's view of the Church's teaching on sexuality is little better than if someone got their history of Native Americans from watching 50's cowboy TV shows. I'd also point out specifically when people don't recognize the difference between NFP and ABC as A). They don't recognize that the Church is not opposed to birth control (which we often say birth regulation to separate it from the colloquial meaning of articial means) per se, but does object to means and B). People don't understand means and ends because they labor under the error of consequentialism. That is, they look at the ends: ABC = no pregnancy, NFP = no pregnancy, and wrongfully conclude that they are morally equivalent. T'ain't so. Consequentialism is the Matrix. The Church's teaching on sexuality is the Red Pill. :)
ReplyDeleteHow is NFP less natural than the pill or an IUD or a condom??? With NFP, the couple learns to understand the human body in ways most average people don't. When my daughters reach puberty, I'm going to teach them how to chart so they can see how beautifully they are made. I can't see how taking a pill that tricks your body into thinking it's pregnant and comes with a host of side effects is natural.
ReplyDeleteI also don't understand the complaint of the Catholic Church being against sexuality. I think It is the only institution that recognizes just how powerful and awesome sex is and so provides guidance on how to show proper respect and reverence for such an act. And I'm not a cradle Catholic, so this doesn't come from being indoctrinated.