Natural Family Planning

Dustin at Engaged Marriage is thankful for sexuality this Thanksgiving. I agree, buddy.

This is a somewhat old article, but after my initial blog posts on the Christopher West controversy sparked by his appearance on Nightline this past May, I thought I’d follow up by posting his response.

I think he does this in a spirit of humility, not shying away from his shortcomings, but really owning what it is that he does. He has mad gifts, you have to admit. As a former facilitator of the God’s Plan Program and occasional Theology of the Body teacher and speaker, Christopher West, while not always perfect and academically precise as his critics would like, is a gift to the Church. So many people have come to embrace the teachings of HMC through John Paul’s TOB as taught by West. For this we should rejoice.

If you’re new to the Theology of the Body revolution, see “Recommended Resources” for a kick start.

Hey NFP friends, I’m going to a conference in the Twin Cities this weekend (arrive Thursday evening), and my accommodation with friends fell through! (Thanks swine flu and strep. Boo.) Since I’m in between jobs and trying to start this non-profit, my funds are limited (i.e., hotels are nearly out, unless St. Joseph writes me a check!).

Does anyone have any ideas for a place to crash/ rent a guest room, especially on short notice? Prayers, please. Thanks!

Update: Found a place with some new friends! Thanks everyone for the prayers and suggestions.

There are a few stores/ web stores that inspire me. You know, they don’t just sell or feature cute stuff; they just embody beautiful, lovely and creative. One of them is the online community Etsy. Though there are definitely less lovely things on Etsy, there are some really fabulous finds. Well, I typed “natural family plannning” in the ‘ol search engine, and found this.

Now, there’s a debate about whether or not menstrual beads (Cycle Beads) are good for the NFP movement because they are essentially a modern, slightly modified version of the Rhythm method, or so I’ve heard (I’ve not taken the class). Anyone who’s a little familiar with the contemporary NFP movement knows that people’s stereotype of the Rhythm method is one of the biggest things holding back progress in the wider culture.

Yet, despite this, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence (and I believe a study or two–does anyone know where to find them?) that menstrual beads work, and work well. They’re marketed largely in developing countries because of lower literacy levels (no charts) and little expense (pennies apiece at cost), but somehow it’s caught on here as well. What’s your thought? Yay or nay?

Whatever your thought is, I give a yay to Etsy.

Mr. NFPworks & I have arrived in our Rocky Mountain home, with no little travelling drama along the way. That is the way of the life of apostles, and it was blessed nevertheless. I’ve been desiring to write on this and that since the beginning of packing, but it just hasn’t been practical. Now we’re settling, and there’s a little bit more time. Thank you for your patience, and stay posted for more NFPgoodness!

To all you fathers and spiritual fathers out there–a belated Happy Father’s Day!

The Knights of Columbus have taken an awesome turn in the last several years under the leadership of Carl Anderson. They’ve sponsored sacred art, encouraged vocations, helped the poor, and in their new campaign, “Fathers For Good,” they encourage responsible, nourishing fatherhood. Simple, yet powerful. My favorite male saint, St. Joseph, gets a nod as model father, which I love. Also, there’s a great article by Tim Drake on priests as spiritual fathers, key father-figures often overlooked on this day. If it’s not too late (send an email or leave a phone message!), wish your pastor and priest-friends a happy Father’s Day.

I know nourishing faith and family implies a promotion of natural family planning, but considering contraception is one of the most dangerous things for a family’s faith and survival, it’s interesting that it’s not found a great voice on this site yet. Catholic writers–get your email and writing on!

Paul VI was right. To the decently well read and open-minded individual, it’s no surprise when people suggest that Pope Paul VI was right. In 1968 he made 4 predictions in section 17 of his letter to the world, Humanae Vitae, and Phil Lawler summarizes how recent infringements on human rights in China, Peru and beyond confirm one of the late Holy Father’s four predictions regarding the effects of widespread contraception on society.

For a more thorough (think names and stats), fabulously well-written, article on the same subject, check Mary Eberstadt’s “The Vindication of Humanae Vitae.”

“No true fiasco ever began as a quest for mere adequacy…a single green vine shoot is able to grow through cement…the Pacific Northwestern salmon beats itself bloody against the current with a single purpose: sex, of course, but also…life.” (Drew Baylor, main character in Elizabethtown)

I love movies, and I love music. I especially love films that weave music gorgeously into the plot. If there ever was a person who could do this, Cameron Crowe is your man. If you’ve seen Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous or Elizabethtown, you may know what I’m talking about. This man’s an artist.

What does my taste in film and their directors have to do with NFP? Well, it’s all in film. Check it out. You'll laugh, cry and appreciate Cameron Crowe. You’ll have to see it to know how this quote fits into the film, but it’s an inspiring piece of work that has revealed itself more and more profound in my life. It’s not a PG film, so don’t expect it to  be a cinematic lesson in morality. No, spiritual lessons are much more subtle in Hollywood.

Ok, he’s not exactly pronouncing his love for Humanae Vitae, but perhaps he’s on the right path?

Me too.

Go to Catholicvote.org (you don’t have to be Catholic), register–it’s super simple–and vote for a commercial on non-contraceptive family planning! Let’s show them we think it’s important, beautiful and life changing!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers out there, biological and spiritual. Fecundity, as it turns out, is not limited to the body, so to all who are consecrated to the Lord, who are unmarried, who are unable to conceive or carry to term–Happy Mother’s Day as well.  To the women who love and nurture as way of life: aunts, widows, neighbors, social workers, teachers, youth ministers, nurses and beyond.You are loved and you are fruitful. You know who you are. Thank you for your gift of self.