• What is Natural Family Planning?
  • National NFP Awareness Week
  • Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry
  • For the Diocesan NFP Coordinator
  • For the Diocesan NFP Teacher

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    Natural Family Planning

     

    NFP is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle. Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain from intercourse and genital contact during the fertile phase of the woman's cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.

    NFP reflects the dignity of the human person within the context of marriage and family life, promotes openness to life, and recognizes the value of the child. By respecting the love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife.
    (Standards for Diocesan Natural Family Planning Ministry, p. 23)

    Young family in the yard.Announcements

    • Remember to send in a brief description of how you celebrated National NFP Awareness Week in your diocese. This important information will help us share creative ideas with others! Please send your report to: nfp@usccb.org.

    • It's not too early to think about slogans for National NFP Awareness Week 2013. Please send along your ideas to: nfp@usccb.org. We would love to hear from you!

    • If you have seen good NFP videos, or know of a couple that has a great story to share, please contact us at: nfp@usccb.org. We are always looking for inspirational stories.

    • The proceedings from the 2010 interdisciplinary conference, "Human Fertility-Where Faith and Science Meet" are now published.

         more...

    Couple smiling at their wedding.Events

    • August 3, 4, 5:  Family of the Americas Teacher Training Class in Wichita, Kansas.

    • Billings Ovulation Method Association,
      Teacher Training Sessions
      August 24 - 27, 2012      : Coppell, TX
      September 14 - 17, 2012: Charlotte, NC

         more...

    Resources
    • Need good NFP resources to give to your parish priest? See the "Clergy Packet" published by the Couple to Couple League.

    • Read about six resident physicians in the department of OB/GYN who plan to specialize in NFP!

    • "Women and ART" by Mary Shivanandan, Humanum Review, Summer 2012; available here.

    • See the new "Catholic Teaching" page on our website.

         more...

     

    Mission of the USCCB Natural Family Planning Program

    Helping couples to deepen conjugal love and achieve responsible parenthood is part of the Church's total pastoral ministry to Catholic spouses. Fulfillment of this ministry includes both education and pastoral care. This means "instilling conviction and offering practical help to those who wish to live out their parenthood in a truly responsible way" (Familiaris consortio, #35).


    Permission is granted for copying and reprinting the NFP information on this website. Please cite the source of the information and unless otherwise noted, please include the following text: "Used with permission from the NFP Program, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved."

    Contact Information:

    Natural Family Planning Program
    Secretariat for Laity, Marriage, Family Life & Youth
    3211 4th Street NE
    Washington, DC 20017

    Email: nfp@usccb.org
    Telephone: (202) 541-3240

    Thank you for your patience while we build our new website.

    Please click the link below to find additional NFP resources that are housed on our old website ...

    For additional NFP information



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