Religious/Personal

Columbus, OH Doctor Gives Artificial Birth Control the Boot in Favor of NFP

Dr. Parker’s decision seems to be part of a national trend toward NFP

Nearly ten years ago, Dr. Michael Parker, a Columbus, OH area obstetrician/gynecologist stopped prescribing contraception both because of his Catholic faith and because he felt that birth control methods were causing many side effects in some patients. Now he promotes only Natural Family Planning.

This is certainly good news to anyone who sees the spiritual, moral and health dangers of contraception, and it seems to be part of a trend of medical professionals turning away from contraception and toward Natural Family Planning.

NFP Lifestyles Set the Stage for All-Around Healthy Living

Learning NFP became a catalyst for healthier living for Laura and Matt Devick, of North Dakota.

“If the world is so wrong about artificial contraception, what other things don’t we have quite right?” This question was raised by Laura Devick, of Fargo, ND, after a CCL class while preparing for marriage.

After seriously considering the issue, Laura and her husband Matt began raising their own chickens as part of a campaign to live and eat in a healthier way. (They say they went “chicken crazy.”) In adopting a nutritional diet, the couple has noticed an improvement in their health, especially in Laura’s four pregnancies. When her son started displaying abnormal changes in behavior, Laura consulted her doctor who discovered her son was sensitive to wheat. Once a he was on a low-gluten diet, the problems ceased.

A casual read or a revolutionary lifestyle?

Tarisa Schmid, of Austin, TX, and her husband Ben began using NFP because of their Catholic faith. But Tarisa was influenced by Marilyn Shannon’s book, Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition, and began to use the nutritional advice to treat her long and heavy periods. The new fertility awareness and diet changes worked, and Tarisa testifies,”I’m all for NFP on an ethical and a health level.”

Woman’s Lenten Retreat Day: Sat., March 23

Miles Christi Priest and Local Priest Fr. Eduardo Martinez will Lead CCL’s Woman’s Lenten Retreat Day

Need a day of prayer and instruction to put you on a sure path to perfection for a holy Lent? Then come to CCL of Chicago’s Woman’s Lenten Retreat Day, Sat. March 23, 2013 at the Holy Family Hospital Chapel in Des Plaines.

(Read the stunning tale of one participant about the Woman’s Retreat, below)

Download the Woman’s 2013 Retreat Flyer and distribute at your parish, and to your friends!

There will be time for Mass, Confessions, Lenten talks, Meditation, Rosary, and Stations of the Cross.

Fr. John Ezratty, a priest of the Miles Christi Religious Order, will be the morning speaker and Confessor. Mass, afternoon reflection and Confessions will be given by Fr. Eduardo Martinez, Associate Pastor of St. Edna.

“A powerful experience - enlightened me in the meaning of Lent and its purpose…. The benefit of being with others who also believe…. It’s renewal… enlightenment… encouragement.”

- One woman’s testimony about the retreat

Registration begins at 8:00 am. The retreat will begin at 8:30 and end at 3:30 pm. Holy Family Hospital Chapel is at 100 N. River Rd., Des Plaines, IL.