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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):
Project Rachel + Natural Family Planning (NFP)
I read an article on TheFloridaCatholic.org about Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries that offers weekend retreats for women suffering from post-abortion trauma. I added the link to my Sexuality page along with Project Rachel, a ministry available in most diocese for post-abortion counseling.
I also started finding some good links about Natural Family Planning (NFP). It inspired me to finally post the lecture we had on NFP at IPF this past summer. The post is here, with some good external links also on my Sexuality page.
Christopher West with Theology of the Body at SJVCS
Today my seminary friends at St John Vianney College Seminary in Miami were blessed with a day of lectures on Pope John Paul II’s ” Theology of the Body” by renown speaker Christopher West, founder of the Theology of the Body Institute.
I’m guessing his lecture was very similar to the 2-day lecture he gave at IPF this past summer on “Priestly Celibacy and the Redemption of Sexuality.” See day #1 at IPF (plus video of Christopher West lectures). See day #2 at IPF.
current news item: Following debate, two bishops affirm ‘strong support’ for Christopher West
Weblinks to Theology of the Body resources:
- Christopher West homepage
- Theology of the Body Institute
- Theology of the Body — other resources, speakers, Theology of the Body International Alliance
- Theology of the Body — John Paul II’s 129 lectures
- Theology of the Body — wikipedia info
[thanks to Javier Barreto for the picture]
being a summer chaplain with poverty
I found an article in the Florida Catholic about Jim Grebe, a 3rd year Theologian seminarian at St Vincent DePaul Regional Seminary, whose summer assignment was a chaplain at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. It reminded me of my own experience over this past summer at IPF as a volunteer chaplain 2 afternoon each week at Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, NE.
As a strong introvert, my assignment at a hospital was a welcomed challenge that transformed any “preparations” that I could have made into simple “presence and prayer” that I had to rest in to make it through fruitfully. My general progression was from Post-Intensive Care (PINS), Physical Rehab, Cancer, ICU and then Behavioral Health (mostly adults). Each unit, as well as each individual room, brought their own challenges and blessings. Going into rooms “cold” without much knowledge of condition or spiritualities left me at the mercy of Christ dependent on Him and allow the Holy Spirit to work without having to “try so hard” under my own abilities.
In identifying the poverty in those I ministered to, I came to recognize my own poverty that brings empathy with the poverty of Christ. As I was stepping out in faith “giving” ministry unselfishly, I identified with the “heart of Christ” — then, in reflection, the receiving became more pure and made me more receptive to pure desires with greater confidence in the Spirit. I found that praying within my own poverty opened opportunities in intimate relationship with God both in private prayer and with those ministered to.
On strong example was my first experience with a patient in ICU on a respirator, unable to speak a response to the open-ended questions I was trained to ask. I quickly retreated in fear to my superior Josh, who help adjust my approach and engagement. I returned to the patient with slightly more confidence in myself while becoming growingly dependent on the Holy Spirit to fill my poverty in encountering the non-verbal Christ with my “heart of Christ” in a distinct moment of Presence in my presence. Using simple words of encouragement to comfort, taking time to ask important yes/no questions, and listening to the feeling of a hand-squeeze for an answer was a moment of fullness of grace. Taking the experience to prayer and spiritual direction was easily seen as a growing echo to listen less to the words of my thoughts and more to the feelings of my heart when discerning with perseverance to God’s voice to me.
Thank you to all that ministered to me in the experience … Hospital staff, Pastoral Ministry staff, IPF staff and the Archdiocese of Miami for sending me on assignment. I was truly blessed and I prayer all that I touched were indeed “touched” as I was.
back from IPF
I just got back from IPF in Omaha yesterday. I’m trying to get settled and I need to see some close friends and priests to share and discuss my experience over the summer in relation to my discernment of a priestly vocation.
I miss IPF but it’s good to be home.
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