By Kevin Banet

The following articles are from the Jan.-Feb. 2010 issue of Family Foundations, the publication of the Couple to Couple League International.

Does NFP prevent spontaneity by restricting intimacy?

They Say: Isn’t it unnatural to confine intimacy to certain phase of a woman’s cycle? Doesn’t using Natural Family Planning (NFP) to avoid a pregnancy prevent couples from freely expressing their love for each other?

We Say: This could be true if a couple only expressed love through sexual intercourse. But times of abstinence can teach couples to show love in other ways. A long conversation or a romantic date night develops emotional intimacy - which, in turn, enhances physical intimacy.

Times of abstinence also unite a couple in a shared goal. Galatians 5:21-23 lists both patience and self-control as fruits of the Spirit. When a couple must abstain during fertile times, they foster these virtues together. And many find that periodic abstinence actually increases their appreciation of physical intimacy.

There will be times in all marriages when physical intimacy is impossible: postpartum, during an illness, business travels, recovering from an injury. A solid relationship needs love expressed in multiple forms.

Does NFP fail to connect with modern couples?

They Say: My grandmother practiced the rhythm method. My peers contracept. How is NFP relevant to a modern couple?

We Say: NFP is fertility awareness and connects with the people in the pews today. CCL has risen to this challenge by revising its curriculum and teaching materials. As part of an inductive approach, teaching couples share personal testimonies with student couples, putting a face to the practice. We recognize the difference between a 2010 audience and a 1970 audience, and we are striving to help modern couples apply the consistent teaching of the Church.

Finding creative ways to relate NFP to contemporary desires does result in more effective communication with the culture. For example, the diocese of Madison’s “Go Organic” campaign successfully connected NFP with the organic food movement. One blogger wrote that NFP is “by far the most natural and green choice.” This is only one of many secular voices acknowledging the physical and environmental benefits of NFP. Repackaging the message can help achieve common ground with couples who are fed up with the alternatives.

At the same time, we look for new ways to communicate, the content of the message remains the same. NFP is the consistent teaching of the Catholic Church for valuable spiritual and physical reasons. It is timeless because God’s plan for marriage and sexuality is timeless. We simply seek out new ways to present these ancient truths.

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Sign up for a membership at Couple to Couple League International at www.ccli.org, and receive “Family Foundations.”

Natural Family Planning Classes Taught

Classes in Natural Family Planning are taught in 17 locations in the Chicago metro area, including southeast Wisconsin and northeast Indiana. The next series of classes will begin Sunday, Aug. 8 at 1:30 pm at Holy Trinity Church in Westmont, taught by Chris & Debbie Lillig 630-428-3046.

To register, and for a list of classes throughout the U.S., go to the CCL Central class locator. Or go to the Chicago CCL’s Classes by Location/Maplinks.

To register, and for a list of classes throughout the U.S., go to CCL International at www.ccli.org, (800) 745-8252. Chicago area NFP information is at www.naturalfamilyplanningchicago.com.