Are you interested in a family planning system that is completely safe, has no medical side effects, and is as effective as artificial contraception? Or do you need help in trying to achieve pregnancy?  Would you like to learn about a system that is consistent with Church teaching?  

See what one couple has to say about the Creighton Model system and its effect on their marriage:

"My husband and I were just talking about what a blessing Creighton has been for us. It's been amazing for our marriage and for our peace of mind. We would definitely love to have more kids in a couple of years; being able to have some control over our family planning while remaining faithful to Church teaching has been such a blessing. Thanks for everything you do!"

The Church wants something beautiful for our families. She wants us to lead our families towards moral and spiritual prosperity; one part of building up a beautiful family is the practice of Natural Family Planning.

The current methods of NFP are just as effective as the best artificial contraceptives on the market, while having none of negative side effects. Couples monitor the signs of naturally occurring cycles of fertility and infertility; if they are trying to avoid pregnancy, they avoid marital relations during the fertile time of each cycle. Unlike older methods such as the “rhythm method,” NFP can handle irregular cycles. Indeed, thanks to all of the scientific research done in the past 50 years, we now have a clear understanding of how women’s menstrual cycles work, and each couple can use that knowledge to interpret their own mutual fertility and plan their family accordingly.
 
NFP helps us to monitor what is going on and to notice if there are any irregularities that might require a visit to a doctor. The self-knowledge that NFP imparts is empowering to women and allows them to be more in tune with her bodies.
 
For more information about Natural Family Planning through our Diocese, visit https://www.diosteub.org/natural-family-planning

In our parish community, we have two systems of Natural Family Planning offered by parishioners.

1. The Couple to Couple League provides instruction in a Sympto-Thermal Method of Natural Family Planning. This method is based on an awareness of a woman’s fertility.  It takes just a few seconds each morning to take the woman’s waking temperature or to notice any cervical mucus throughout the day, and then couples spend a few moments at the end of the day to discuss the observations. Through this process couples have a complete picture of their fertility.

CCL offers three types of classes to fit your schedule and preferred method of learning.

• Live Onsite: A series of three classes held in a classroom setting and taught by a certified teaching couple. Classes are spaced a month apart to give you a chance to practice what you learn.
• Live Online:  Similar to the onsite class but you meet live online, in a virtual classroom, with a certified teaching couple. You’ll see your teaching couple and have the ability to ask questions and get instant answers through a webcam or chat feature.
• Self-paced Online: This video based course teaches you NFP in a series of interactive lessons. You learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. You will be connected to a teaching couple who will be available by email or phone to help you along the way. (This is the most economical of the three types of classes.)

To learn more, visit www.ccli.org and click on Learn NFP from CCL. You can also contact Bob & Sharon Colvin,  740.707.0882 or [email protected].

2. The Creighton Model System relies upon the standardized observation and charting of biological markers that are essential to understanding a woman's health and fertility.  These biomarkers tell the couple when they are naturally fertile and infertile, thus allowing the couple to use the system to either achieve or to avoid pregnancy.  The biomarkers can also identify abnormalities in a woman's health that can then be effectively treated by a physician trained in NaproTechnolgoy.

A network of FertilityCare Centers delivers CrMS services (www.fertilitycare.org). 

Learning the CrMS begins with an introductory session that explains the scientific foundations, methodology, applications to various reproductive categories, and how to Naprotrack your cycles.  This continues with a series of essential individualized follow up teaching appointments (personal instruction on the use of the system and complete chart review).  At each private follow up, the FertilityCare Practitioner tailors the system to your specific needs.

To make an appointment or to contact a local FertilityCare Practitioner check the website www.FreedomFertilityCare.com or email [email protected].

Introductory sessions in the Athens area are held at:

Holy Family Center
75 Stewart Street
Athens, Ohio

For more information about this ministry, contact Sharon Colvin ([email protected]) or Eileen Sirois ([email protected]).

Other helpful information can be found at www.naturalwomanhood.org.