Natural Family Planning

So what are you doing for NFP Awareness Week?

WHAT?!? You forgot!? I forgive you, but it’s not too late to get a little something going. Here are some last minute suggestions:

• PRAYER: This is the most important part–the soul of the apostolate, without which our efforts are vacuous. It’s not too late to pray for the fruits of this upcoming week. See my entry on NFP Saints, and don’t forget to join in on the Sts. Joachim & Ann novena.
• Bulletin Insert/ article: it’s Monday, so you may still have time to get something in your church bulletin. You can use little blurbs from this blog, clips from a One More Soul Brochure (make sure you reference them in the bulletin), this “Married Love & the Gift of Life” bulletin insert by the USCCB (you’ll have to express ship it), or this one by the Diocese of Madison.
• NFP Witness Talk: With your pastor’s permission, have an NFP couple who’s comfortable speaking(either using or teaching) give a 3-4 minute reflection at the end of Holy Mass. Don’t know one? Ask around, or call your diocesan office for ideas. I heard a great one last night at the Denver Cathedral given by a CCL teaching couple.
• The Homily is Key: Give your pastor homily notes for next weekend’s NFP Week kickoff with a copy of Patty Schneier’s “Reaching the Cafeteria Catholic” or “Why NFP is a priority in my parish” from One More Soul. You could give the notes without the CD’s, but if, by God’s grace, your pastor and/or deacon listen to the CD, I almost guarantee you that they’ll be moved to preach on NFP/ against contraception more.
• Brochures–the silent witness: Ok, so your pastor doesn’t have the spiritual chutzpah to preach the Good News about Sex, Marriage & NFP explicitly. Pray and sacrifice for him for the Lord to soften his hard heart. Until then, put some eye-catching brochures out. Don’t even bother with cheesy brochures because they’ll just serve to confirm people’s droll stereotypes of NFP. My favs: “What a Woman Should Know about Contraception” (even the most hardened heart is curious about this) and Madison Diocese’s “Go Organic” (if you use these, make sure you ask permission by email). There are definitely other good ones out there, but I’m short on time. Do you have any fav brochures?
• Get a Best-Selling CD in their hands: Janet Smith’s Contraception: Why Not has been distributed well over a million times, and the stories that come from people who hear this CD are AMAZING. You can get one free copy of the original talk, but I also really really really (did I say REALLY?) like the New and Revised “Contraception: Why Not.” They’re as cheap as just over a buck a piece if you order in quantity.

Rock on, Apostles of Life & Love. What are you doing in your community for NFP Awareness Week? I want to hear about it!