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Archive for March, 2010

NFP vs Contraception, 7 skits

As I was looking for videos about IPF, I ran across these short skits about the difference between Natural Family Planning (NFP) and Contraception.  These skits were used for a final project by seminarians at IPF for the course on Christian Spirituality & Sexuality.  Finding these skits is God’s Providence (a “God-incidence”) since our high school Confirmation class is asking a lot of questions about Catholic Matrimony, birth control and their Catholic identity.  — Check them out!

NFP vs Contraception #1:It’s about the relationship

Contraception, does NOT need to communicate about their fertility

NFP, (1) DOES need to communicate (which builds the relationship),
(2) doesn’t have to worry about fertility altering chemicals (that could hurt your chances of getting pregnant even when you stop taking pills,
(3) doesn’t have to worry (as much) about a “testy” wife from hormone manipulations,
(4) doesn’t have to worry about a decrease in libedo (sexual desire)

NFP vs Contraception #2, “It takes two.

NFP, (1) builds trust and imtimacy with the greater need for communication,
(2)  experience a full self-giving to each other (not holding back their fertility),
(3)  statistically, couple doing NFP stay together longer, less divorce.

NFP vs Contraception #3, “It’s natural.

Contraception introduces a couple to chemicals, while NFP is natural (the way God’s designed us), so it’s healthier.

NFP vs Contraception #4, “Know the facts.

Contraception is potrayed in the media more than NFP. 
NFP
is taught in churches around the world.  Even some Protestants practice NFP.
The facts can be lost.  www.onemoresoul.com

NFP vs Contraception #5, “Demand the whole story.

Contraception may come with divorce, abortion, infertility, and mysogyny.  The media can minimize these possibilities.
NFP may come with life-long marriage, health, love, and respect.  www.onemoresoul.com

NFP vs Contraception #6, “It’s not a tough choice.

Contraception is the answer of many to poverty in third-world nations.  Sometimes it is a prerequisite before food is sent to those countries.
NFP works when it is taught and practiced (even in third-world nations).  The only agenda is God’s design for human beings.  www.onemoresoul.com

NFP vs Contraception #7, “Know the consequences.

Contraception is recommended by doctors or ailments not related to fertility.  Just because it help one thing, does not mean it doesn’t have side-effect elsewhere.  Everyone knows it’s real purpose.
Get the facts.  www.onemoresoul.com

IPF on TV (EWTN) with Fr Gabuzda

The Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF) was featured on EWTN show Sunday Night Live with host Father Benedict Groeschel.  The guests were Father Richard Gabuzda (IPF director) and Father Joe Kelly (priest of New York & IPF faculty).  They focused on the the mission of IPF and their efforts in building a Center for Priestly Spirituality.  Some great discussions and live call-in questions.  They spoke on the summer programs (that I took last summer) and how awesome the Holy Spirit has grown the mission of IPF.  I hope they post some of the show on their website or YouTube.  You can order it from EWTN, show #280.

Here is a short video about the mission of IPF that is on the IPF website and on YouTube (from 2 years ago):

Vatican praises The Simpsons

March 17, 2010 3 comments

I’m not a huge fan of The Simpsons, but I just watched a episode about Bart going to Catholic school called “The Father, the Son, and the Holy Guest Star.” [S16E21] In the classic Simpsons’ satire, Bart & Homer become Catholic while Protestant Marge tries to bring them back. WOW! A great episode to use with high school discussion groups. This episode touches on all kinds of questions about faith and religion (and there’s lots of paintball in it, too!).

I also found an article about the Vatican praising The Simpsons show.

Animated US television show, The Simpsons has gathered praise from the Roman Catholic Church for their “realistic” way of dealing with religion and spreading happiness among viewers. An article published in the Vatican’s newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano has lauded the long-running show, insisting “many today wouldn’t know how to laugh” if the series hadn’t been aired, reported Contactmusic.

The newspaper story thanked the show’s producers for depicting family patriarch Homer’s struggle with his own faith through its 20 years on the small screen. “Homer finds in God his last refuge, even though he sometimes gets His name sensationally wrong. But these are just minor mistakes, after all; the two know each other well,” the article said. The story also insisted that The Simpsons success is due to its “realistic and intelligent writing”.

The same newspaper had recently paid tribute to ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’, for highlighting the “sacrifice” needed for good to triumph over evil.

WOW! Who would think The Simpsons would be watched at the Vatican?  What next, Family Guy?