In This Issue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Jubilee Year provides us with a focus to re-group, reflect on the past, examine our current condition and outline our hopes for the future. Featured below are authors from both our NFP past, present, and future. We hope they will encourage you to continue the "good fight" as we move NFP ministry forward in the new millennium.

• NFP: Some Pastoral Observations
  Terence Cardinal Cooke
  
  
• The 1999 Diocesan NFPProgram Profile
  Rev. Robert Cannon, M.A., M.Th, J.C.L.
  
  
• Bishops Teach
  
  
• "Truth pressed to earth will rise again"
  Susan E. Wills, Esq.
  
  
• NFP Conference Held at Marquette
  Richard Fehring, DNSc, RN
  
  
• CANFP Conference 2000
  Therese Maes
  
  
• OMSHealth Care Conference
  
  
• NFP & The Now Generation:
  
  
  "Self-Giving Love"
  
  Rev. Peter Laird
  
  

  COORDINATORS' CORNER
  "Confidentiality--What's it all about?"
  Janet Kistler
  
  

  NFP AROUND THE WORLD
  NFP in Canada
  

  Woomb Canada
  

  Gail Pickard
  

  BOM Conference–Austrailia
  
  

  NEWS BRIEFS

Cardinal John J. O'Connor

3 May 2000

He gave to all of us his friendship, inspiration and courage. May his legacy live on in us, and may he rest in peace. We will miss him greatly.

NFP Some Pastoral Observations

Cardinal Terence Cooke

The 1980 Synod on the Family was the contemporary event in the Church which bore fruit in the Apostolic Exhortation, Familiaris consortio The Synod inspired Cardinal Terence Cooke to assist the Catholic dioceses in conducting "a broader, more decisive and more systematic effort to make the natural methods of regulating fertility known, respected and applied." (Familiaris consortio, #35). To help bring this about, in 1981 Cardinal Cooke asked Msgr. James T. to develop a nationwide program to help integrate NFP services in dioceses throughout the country, and help make diocesan NFP services more professional. The result is the Diocesan Development Program for NFP a program of the NCCB Committee for Pro-Life Activities.

Cardinal Cooke's words and insights are as relevant today as they were yesterday. Following are excerpts from his talk at the first national conference of diocesan NFP coordinators at the Catholic University of America , July 18, 1983.

"With the generous help of the Knights of Columbus, we have been able to set up a national office whose purpose is to encourage, assist and coordinate the efforts of the dioceses. However, we know that a national program is only as effective as the diocesan programs that it serves, and so the major responsibility for long-term development and success is yours. . . ."
Cardinal Cooke, 1983

I came home from the 1980 Synod of Bishops more convinced than ever that we must give priority to the family apostolate. At that world Synod, I was impressed with the variety of family structures in the different nations and cultures, with the similarity of problems that families face, with the contributions that families can make in ministering to one another, and with the importance of the Church's teaching and its pastoral care of families. I say these thing to you to urge you to continue to give pre-eminence to the family. . . . . It is important that you, in the NFP apostolate, learn as much as possible about the family. For Natural Family Planning is at the service of the family; it is not simply a reliable method for individuals to control procreation.

In recent years Pope John Paul II has addressed various Natural Family Planning groups and has devoted a special section of Familiaris Consortio to NFP. In effect, the Holy Father has outlined the responsibilities of the Church in regard to NFP . . .

First, the Holy Father states that "the ecclesial community at the present time must take on the task of instilling conviction and offering practical help to those who wish to live out their parenthood in a truly responsible way." (FC, #35) It is a task of the "ecclesial community," that is, the Church. In other parts of Familiaris Consortio and in other addresses the Pope makes clear that the task involves the efforts of couples, doctors, marriage counselors, priests and religious and other experts. It must be a cooperative effort, one in which all can collaborate, but an activity of the ecclesial community, that is, responsible to the bishop. There may well be other efforts, independent of the Church, but they do not replace or eliminate the ecclesial responsibility. As representatives of your dioceses or through your association with the Diocesan Development Program, you are part of the ecclesial effort and must have concern for one another.

Second, recognizing the different natural methods and pedagogical approaches, Pope John Paul II says that "it is providential that diverse methods (of NFP) exist." (Address of July 3, 1982) The Holy Father insists that the Church will not canonize one or the other approach, because the very diversity is providential, that is, part of God's plan, and because the differing approaches address the specific needs of individual couples. That is why the bishops' Diocesan Program calls for the availability of all methods within the diocese. The Holy Father urges all in this apostolate to avoid limiting their efforts to only one approach, and also to avoid anything that will detract from a commitment to NFP.

My third point is that authentic teaching on NFP must be based on and remain loyal to the Church's teaching on marriage, sexuality and birth control. It must perceive and "study further the difference, both anthropological and moral, between contraception and recourse to the rhythm cycle." (FC, #32) Your efforts must be faithful to the teaching of the magisterium, and also include patience, understanding and positive encouragement in enabling couples to learn and practice NFP.

Finally, in speaking to NFP organization, the Holy Father states that "it is necessary that various groups . . . appreciate their respective work, mutually exchange experiences and results, firmly avoiding tensions and disagreements that could threaten so important and difficult a work." (Address of July 3, 1982) We are all aware that various NFP organizations exist, each committed to a specific approach. While it may be ideally better if each organization could offer all natural methods, we understand the reasons for specializing in one. Nonetheless, cooperation can lead to better knowledge and improved pedagogy, and greater reassurance for couples who are just learning about NFP.

Your apostolate is part of the Church's pastoral responsibility to the family. Your efforts are extremely important and probably indispensable, just as they are difficult and challenging. Along with my fellow bishops, I thank you for all you are doing in the family apostolate

These words of Pope John Paul II express both the difficulty and the challenge of your commitment in the Church as coordinators of diocesan NFP programs. I conclude with them because I believe they apply to all of us working in this apostolate

. . . we are not able to make the obstacles to Christian living disappear; we are not in a position to lift all the burdens that weigh upon our Christian families: and much less are we authorized to attempt to remove the cross from Christianity. But we are in a position to proclaim the great dignity of marriage, its identity as an image and symbol of God's everlasting and unbreakable covenant of love with his Church. We are able to love the family and in this pastoral love to offer it the only criterion for the real solution to the problems that it faces. This criterion is the word of God; the word of God in all its purity and power, in all its integrity and with all its demands–the word of God as transmitted by the Church.

May God bless each of you, as well as the wives and husbands and families with whom you work to foster His life and His love. May the Lord bless you and grant you His peace.

The full text of Cardinal Cooke's statement can be obtained from: DDP/NFP, 202-541-3240/3070; FAX 202-541-3054.

The 1999 Diocesan NFP Profile

Rev. Robert R. Cannon M.A., M.Th., J.C.L.

In November of 1999, 187 Profile questionnaires were mailed to dioceses. Ninety-two or nearly half (49%) of the dioceses completed and returned questionnaires The data indicates that certain concerns remain true about NFP programs around the nation with improvement in certain areas:

1. Where the diocesan bishop/clergy publicly support NFP, programs are strong and effective, even with limited funding. Repeatedly, NFP coordinators and teachers state that they themselves need to be inspired and visibly supported for their hard work (ministry) and dedication by the clergy. Every year this is the greatest need identified by respondents. Sufficient funding to support, train and expand NFP services is the second greatest need.
   
   
2. Thirty-six percent (36%) of dioceses specifically allocated less than a $1,000 for NFP efforts. Sixty-three percent (63%) of all NFP diocesan programs operate on less than $10,000 per year. A few dioceses (13%) allocate $30,000 to more than $70,000 for their NFP programs. A typical arrangement is for an NFP program to share the funding, material, and staff support of an umbrella department, e.g., Family Life Office, Catholic Charities, or the facilities/staff of a Catholic hospital.
   
   
3. In practically every diocese throughout the country, there is now a person designated either officially or unofficially as the Diocesan NFP Coordinator. Often, the NFP "hat" is one of many worn by this person (55%). For example, the Office of Marriage and Family Life Director (44%) is most often tasked to coordinate diocesan NFP efforts.
   
   
4. Most diocesan marriage preparation programs make at least some effort to provide rudimentary NFP information to engaged couples; e.g., booklets and fact sheets. The time allotted for NFP in 81% of Pre-Cana programs is less than 45 minutes. A more thorough and substantive inclusion of NFP in educational programs about human sexuality and conjugal love remains a distant goal, not only for marriage preparation, but on every level of instruction. Sometimes, NFP is barely mentioned in Pre-Cana programs; e.g., literature is simply given to couples without discussion. To its credit, one diocese strongly encourages couples to complete a full course of instruction in NFP as part of its comprehensive marriage preparation program.
   
   
5. The Sympto-Thermal Method and Ovulation Method are the most preferred methods of NFP. Increasingly, NFP teachers are willing either to teach or suggest both OM and STM giving couples a methodological choice. A variety of NFP national, regional and local provider groups are used by dioceses.
   
   
6. The majority of diocesan NFP teachers (40%) are deeply committed volunteers. A few dioceses provide stipends to volunteer teachers (23%) to cover personal costs; e.g., transportation, baby sitter, materials, etc.
   
   
7. From the dioceses surveyed, there are over 1,000+ diocesan NFP advocate/witness speakers and over 1,022 diocesan advocate/witness speakers and NFP teachers have contributed over 33,000 hours in donated time and energy this past year toward NFP efforts across the nation, often at great personal sacrifice. They are a great resource for the teaching of human sexuality within a faith context, a resource not fully utilized.

Gratitude is extended to the following dioceses which provided data for the 1999 Profile survey:

Albany; Altoona-Johnstown; Arlington; Austin; Baltimore; Baton Rouge; Beaumont; Biloxi; Boston; Bridgeport; Brooklyn; Brownsville; Burlington; Camden; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Columbus; Corpus Christi; Covington; Detroit; Dodge City; Dubuque; Duluth; El Paso; Erie; Fort Wayne; Forth Worth; Gary; Grand Rapids; Great Falls-Billings; Greenbay; Harrisburg; Hartford; Helena; Jackson; Jefferson City; Kalamazoo; Knoxville; La Crosse; Lafayette; Lake Charles; Lincoln; Los Angeles; Lubbock; Madison; Manchester; Marquette, MI; Memphis; Metuchen; Miami; Milwaukee; Monterey; Nashville; Newark; New Orleans; New Ulm; Ogdensburg; Omaha; Owensboro; Pensacola-Tallahassee; Peoria; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Pittsburg; Portland; Raleigh; Rockford; St. Augustine; St. Cloud; St. Louis; St. Paul and Minneapolis; St. Petersburg; Salina; San Angelo; San Antonio; Savannah; San Jose; Scranton; Sioux City; Spokane; Springfield, MA; Springfield Cape Girardeau; Superior; Toledo; Trenton; Tucson; Tulsa; Venice; Wichita; Winona; and Yakima.

Rev. Robert R. Cannon, M.A., M.Th., is the Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of Venice.

Bishops Teach

"Families as Missionaries"

Catholics should think about whether they are called be become missionary families to the poor," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver. Some married couples might be called to that life no matter how unrealistic that may sound, said Archbishop Chaput. The Archbishop made these remarks in a keynote presentation at the "Dare to Dream" national gathering of Catholic families, on April 29 in Melbourne, Australia.

"I'd wager my [air] ticket home that God is calling at least half a dozen of you to be active missionary families, either here in Australia among the poor, or in some other country," he said. "What's so outlandish about that? Protestants have been doing it for years," he said, adding that in his own archdiocese there were at least three missionary families from abroad living and working for the church in Denver. He also noted that this type of ministry has to be a community effort. "Every missionary family needs three things: prayers, friendship and material support. So if six of the families here today were to go on mission, surely 60 more could tithe to support them," he said.

Archbishop Chaput urged parents to learn the habit of gratitude and teach it to their children. "Gratitude unlocks joy, which is maybe why we've had so little joy even within the Church for the last 30 years," he said. "We've done a great job over the last three decades arguing about what's supposed to be wrong with the Church and her teaching. But we've done a pretty poor job of being grateful for the Church as God's gift to us,." he said.

"Truth pressed to earth will rise again"

Susan E. Wills, Esq.

Good theology and good science both lead to truth. Catholic teaching about contraception does not depend on scientific discoveries, medical findings or sociology statistics. It rests on an understanding of the meaning and purpose of marriage and human sexuality, through which God continues "to speak His 'yes' to human life" (G. Meilaender). But after 40 years of cultural hype, it is gratifying to see the failures and harmful effects of contraception recently exposed in prestigious publications. The wisdom of Church teaching is being validated, if inadvertently, by medicine and social science.

In the category of "Still Can't Read the Handwriting on the Wall," first prize goes to a Washington Post article entitled "Teen Birthrate Takes a Big Toll in Brazil; Pregnancies Soar Despite Access to Contraceptives." Utterly hoodwinked by Planned Parenthood's mantra "contraceptives mean fewer pregnancies and fewer abortions," the author writes:

The birthrate among adolescents has soared, a mystifying development given the unprecedented efforts of the past decade here to provide more information about, and access to, contraceptives. Television commercials trumpet the use of condoms. Neighborhood clinics distribute birth-control pills and other contraceptives. Numerous cities have created programs to reduce the number of pregnancies and cases of sexually transmitted diseases among teens. Yet those efforts have found only limited success. ...

Limited success? From 1993 to 1998, the birthrate for Brazilian girls aged 15-19 jumped 19% and for girls aged 10-14, the birthrate leaped 31%. Also, the annual abortion rate for Brazilian teens aged 15-19 is tragically high: 32 per 1,000 girls (rivaling the appalling U.S. rate of 36 per 1,000).

Clearly the answer is not more of the same failed policy. Condoms and oral contraceptives are not foolproof. "Typical use" failure rates are about 14% for condoms and 7.6% for oral contraceptives, but failures are even higher among teens because of imperfect use. And to make things even worse, contraceptives create a false sense of security and lead to higher levels of nonmarital sex, promiscuity, pregnancy, abortion, nonmarital births and sexually transmitted disease.

The runner-up article in the category "I Can See Clearly Now" comes from a recent issue of The Lancet. It attributes the gravely worsening AIDS epidemic in southern Africa to condoms unhelpfully supplied by the U.S. and international agencies. The author notes that condoms are not only ineffective in stopping the transmission of AIDS, but have actually exacerbated the epidemic by fostering the false belief that promiscuous sexual activity can be "safe."

The U.S. is awash in contraceptives which have proved to be no help in reducing rates of pregnancy, birth and abortions. Nor are they helping to eradicate STDs. Cases of incurable viral STDs in the U.S. are epidemic. About 45 million Americans have genital herpes. One million new cases are added annually. Human papilloma virus, the primary cause of cervical cancer, now affects 20 million Americans. Some 5.5 million new cases are added each year. Hepatitis B afflicts 750,000 Americans and 77,000 new cases occur each year. HIV claims 650,000-900,000 victims in the U.S. currently, with 20,000 new cases added annually. (Medical Institute for Sexual Health)

The winning entry in the "I Can See Clearly Now" category appeared in the February 2000 issue of the AMA's Archives of Family Medicine: "Post-fertilization Effects of Oral Contraceptives and Their Relationship to Informed Consent" by Walter Larimore, MD and Joseph Stanford, MD. Reviewing abstracts of all studies of oral contraceptives (OCs) published since 1970 and available on MEDLINE, the doctors concluded that "good evidence exists to support the hypothesis that the effectiveness of oral contraceptives depends to some degree on post-fertilization effects." Women taking OCs may still sometimes ovulate (more likely with today's lower doses of estrogen, with progestin-only pills and with imperfect use) and the resultant egg may be fertilized, creating a new life. The embryo's life may be cut short in its first week, without the mother's knowledge, by the OC's actions in slowing the embryo's progress through the fallopian tubes or in altering the uterine lining to prevent successful implantation or maintenance. Because many patients morally oppose taking their child's life even at the embryonic stage, and few are aware of this property of OCs, the authors recommend explaining this potential action to all prospective users of OCs as a matter of "informed consent." Based on this research, Dr. Larimore stopped prescribing OCs due to their potential for terminating new life and now recommends modern methods of natural family planning to his patients.

Even as such medical findings and statistics publicly reveal the dark side of the contraceptive revolution, we hear continued calls for funding adolescent contraception, for increased availability of emergency "contraception" and for more money for international "family planning." Will we never learn?

NFP Conference Held at Marquette

Richard Fehring, DNSc, RN

On Saturday March 25th, 2000 the Marquette University Alumni Memorial Union was the site of a national conference entitled "Restoring Life Connections through Natural Family Planning." Co-sponsored by the Marquette University College of Nursing, Columbia-St. Mary's Hospital, and the Milwaukee archdiocesan Office of Adult and Family Ministry, the conference combined the talents of medical doctors and experts on ethics and reproductive technology. The conference focused on the positive effects of NFP within marriages, Catholic medical approaches to treating infertility and the psychological and spiritual dangers involved with the latest developments in reproductive genetic technology. Among the 200 participants were NFP teachers representing STM and OM, as well as NFP promoters and users from both the local area and the region of the mid-west.

The evening before the conference, representatives of the Hispanic community met with conference participants to review Spanish language NFP materials and advise on how to best meet the needs of that community. The meeting featured material and programs developed both locally and in other mid-western cities.

On Saturday morning Rev. Daniel C. McDonald, S.J., Executive Director, University Mission and Identity, read a welcome from the president of the university, Rev.Robert Wild, S.J. He said that such "a conference is central to the mission of Marquette" because it "place[s] the highest value on life from inception until death." Fr. McDonald thanked the participants for their "courage to wrestle with the issues of life in a culture that does not always value life." "In this way," he said, "you become the voice of those without voices; voices for the unborn, vocies for those who occupy positions without power through poverty, voices for couples who feel pressure to conform to contraceptive practices of our culture, voices for women who suffer injustices because of their societal positions and voices for those who live under the structural causes of marginalization in the modern world."

Fr. also noted that the collaboration of the College of Nurshing with the Office of Adult and Family Ministry for the Archdioceses of Milwaukee, Columbia-St. Mary's Hospital and Marquette University Faculty for Life, "presents all of us with a paradigm that call us to understand the importance of interactive learning which is critical for the future and offers a coherent model for change in the modern world." "Your strength is in the very nature of your commitment to education and the great sensitivity and professionalism required to offer alternatives to a world in need of clarity."

Therese Notare of the Diocesan Development Program for NFP, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, gave the first talk of the day. She spoke on the relevance of NFP in "Building the Culture of Life." Theresa contrasted the role of NFP in building the culture of life with the role contraception has played in fostering a culture of death. A second speaker, John Grabowski, PhD, Associate Professor of Moral Theology, Catholic University of America, Washington D.C., discussed NFP and moral education within the family. Grabowski, father of five children, discussed NFP not as simply another method of birth control that uses no barriers or chemicals, but as a practice which enables married couples to express and develop their sexuality in accord with the virtues of chastity. "," noted Grabowski, "affects not only the couple but their entire family and can help parents to educate their children in the authentic values of human sexuality, love, respect and communion."

The afternoon session focused on the new reproductive technologies. Dr. Grabowski returned to the podium to offer a perspective on the Catholic Church's opposition to various forms of assisted reproduction which has often been dismissed as unfeeling or arbitrary. He explained that the position of the Church flows from a profound insight into the nature of life, the human person and the gift of sexuality. Responses to the new reproductive technologies were provided by Fr. Kevin Fitzgerald, S.J., (Research Associate, Department of Medicine and the Medical Humanities, Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago) and Lorna Cvetkovich, MD, Ob/Gyn, (Holy Family Medical Specialists, Lincoln Nebraska). Fr. Fitzgerald spoke on "The Brave New World of Reproductive, Genetic Technology." He described several new genetic technologies that may have a significant impact on how people view reproduction and human nature itself. He provided the audience with an ethical framework for the moral analyses of these new technologies, which integrates scientific information about human nature into the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Dr. Cvetkovich, who is also a NFP Medical Consultant, spoke primarily about problems associated with infertility. She reviewed procedures for evaluating infertile couples and how NFP charting provides knowledge of ovulation. This enables couples to achieve pregnancy without the use of costly and morally unacceptable methods. She, concluded her presentation with a review of the positive outcomes a Catholic medical practice has to offer patients.

Finally a panel of experts composed of Fr. Fitzgerald, Dr.Grabowski, Dr. James Linn, MD, Dr. Cvetkovich and Therese Notare provided and opportunity for both conference presenters and those attending to exchange comments and responses regarding new reproductive technologies and the role of NFP. The conference concluded with a mass celebrated by Fr. William Kurz, S.J.

Evaluations from conference participants expressed strong satisfaction with the presentations. So successful was the conference that the theme and dates for 2001have already been confirmed--"21st Century NFP," March 22-24. We are looking forward to welcoming the NFP community to Marquette for another event of education, friendship and inspiration!

Therese Maes

So well organized! Amazing! Incredible to witness so many of common values joined together with one aim. John Haas is incredible! This exclamation of jubilation was shared by more than one participant of the California NFP Association's Conference 2000 held in Los Angeles on March 25.

Beginning with the greeters at the door, everyone who entered the Chancery felt welcome and cared for. Balloon bouquets in the teal and cream colors of CANFP bloomed everywhere and Easter baskets adorned each table, lending a festive air to what would prove to be, in many members' opinions, the best conference ever.

Welcoming attendees were the Family Life Director of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Joan Vienna, and her associate, Candy Metoyer. Joan's staff and helpers provided warm hospitality, clear directions, delicious food and an environment of caring that allowed all to take full advantage of the day that began and ended with Dr. John Haas, President of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, Boston, MA.

Speaking to the theme of the day, "Creating a Culture of Life, Begin with NFP," Dr. Haas drew on the wisdom of Pope John Paul II's "Theology of the Body." Why? "Because," Dr. Haas said, "truth must be the basis of any culture and the theology of the body tells us the truth about the human person." Describing societal attitudes toward children and marriage, Dr. Haas said, "An unqualified good has come to be viewed as evil." But instead of leaving us with the glass half empty, he quoted from the Song of Songs, encouraging and challenging us to "...love one another as we were created to love one
another, as bodies, even as the incarnate, enfleshed God loves his Bride the Church." In closing, Dr. Haas reminded us that "NFP is solidly, comfortably within the tradition of humanity at its truest. NFP acknowledges, respects, indeed celebrates all the goods inherent in our sexuality, in marriage, in family life, in the marriage bed... It acknowledges and venerates who we are: rational bodies created by God and intended for glory. Only this truth can serve as a foundation of the culture of life."

With that rousing sendoff, the rest of the day passed so quickly it seemed over in a blink of the eye. Yet, there was something for everyone, in Spanish and in English. Alice and Jeff Heinzen, diocesan NFP co-coordinators, La Crosse, WI, have developed an NFP program that has the full backing of their Bishop and serves as a model for programs throughout the United States. . . . The couple shared their story of having found NFP almost by accident and, yet, by discovering how good it was in their marriage, deciding that they must share the good news with others. They have a strong cadre of volunteer NFP teachers who present four classes each year and they do much one-on-one "selling" of NFP via e-mail and computer connections to their parishes . They also have formulated guidelines for NFP in their diocese one of which includes having the priests give one homily a year on NFP.


Dr. Paddy Jim Baggot aimed his talk at nurses and NFP practitioners, informing them of the latest advances in Naprotechnology . . . . Dr. Baggot stated that with more women facing infertility, the Naprotechnology system offers hope and a proven procedure of effectiveness to achieve or avoid pregnancy.

After the business luncheon, Fr. Marcos Gonzalez and Fr. Roberto Pirrone shared their positive experiences, insights, and successes integrating NFP into a parish setting. As parish priests for the archdiocese of Los Angeles, it was apparent to all who heard them that they have found true joy in following God's call in their vocation, and desire no less for those they counsel in preparation for the sacrament of marriage. Many remarked afterwards that they should preach their message at every parish in the archdiocese!

Other talks included one by Sheila St. John, president of CANFP. She spoke on FACTS, a program aimed at teens and parents to help them discuss questions of sexuality and abstain from sexual intercourse outside of marriage. Highly effective in the areas where it has been taught, this abstinence-only approach challenges teens to become future-focused, gives them practical refusal skills and teaches them how to cope with peer pressure. Those attending this talk gave it rave reviews and asked for help in starting training for FACTS in their area. Also available in the afternoon, was a chart consultation session with three of the physicians present, Dr. Paddy Jim Baggot and Dr. Jose Fernandez, presenters at the conference and Dr. Mary Davenport, a member of the CANFP Executive Board. The day concluded with Mass followed by the Banquet and the conferring of the Calegari Award on Msgr. Charles Fortier.

By the end of the day, Dr. Haas once again inspired the group with a deeply philosophical talk. Returning to his "professorial roots," he gave a wide-ranging talk that moved from John Paul II's Gospel of Life, to World War II, back to the early days of the Church, ahead to the reformation, back to St. Thomas Aquinas and finally ahead to our own day, always explaining how different ages and heresies viewed the body. His conclusion? The dualism so prevalent in times past is alive and well today. But all is not lost, he quickly noted. "Our vaunted goal may seem entirely unrealistic: the building of a culture of life by starting with NFP. But there is really no other place to start. ...I don't mean that people have
to practice periodic abstinence with an awareness of fertility signs to build a culture of life. But they must, they absolutely must, embrace the beliefs, the convictions, the values which underlie NFP."

Obviously . . . this article . . . can scarcely begin to plumb the richness of the day. The spirit of good will and wonderful hospitality cannot be experienced second hand; you must have been there to understand how truly great the day was. Yet, some of the ambiance has come across on the tapes and I urge you to avail yourself of the opportunity to make them part of your collection. One thing is certain, mark your calendars for next March 24th, 2001, when CANFP will bring its "incredible" message of radical love to San Francisco!

One More Soul Sponsors Catholic Health Care Symposium

October 21-24, 1999 were the dates of a remarkable meeting outside Pittsburgh. Twenty nine doctors, four nurses, five priests, two clinic administrators, theologians, philosophers, laity, 65 people in all, gathered to craft a vision and define action plans for Catholic health care in the next millennium. It was a pro-active event and full of prayer as well. One doctor's remark illustrates this: "When I saw in the brochure how much work would be involved, I decided not to come, but then whenever I would go before the Blessed Sacrament, I knew I had to go." Mass was celebrated each day and the Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration were integral components of our spiritual activities.

The Symposium opened Thursday evening with Mass, dinner, and a moving address by Bishop Donald Wuerl of Pittsburgh. Bishop Wuerl emphasized Catholic health care as an extension of the healing ministry of Jesus. As a ministry of the Lord, Bishop Wuerl said that it cannot be driven by money or technical considerations, but by personal love between the health workers and patients. Catholic health care, said Bishop Wuerl, must have as its aim salvation of all souls. Friday and part of Saturday were devoted to presentation of papers from various participants. An intensive planning process with enthusiastic participation by every person present comprised most of Saturday. Clear achievable visions for key healthcare areas were articulated including a wide range of practical action steps.

The vision statement put forward the need for a nationwide "network of Catholic medical practices, clinics and healthcare centers that are explicitly Catholic in their philosophy and all their activities." It was also agreed that "support structures for this network" should be created which would offer spiritual and ethical guidance through primarily the dioceses. Among the ideas for the plan of action, the participants said that there was a need to provide a list of those medical schools and hospital residency programs which would "assist those seeking authentic Catholic health care education and employment opportunities, particularly in procreative health." Creating resources (materials and workshops included) to educate the public and professionals on John Paul II's Theology of the Body, NFP, and Catholic medical ethics was seen as critical.

NFP & The Now Generation

As the first generation of NFP pioneers moves into their later years, it is encouraging to find young adults willing to take up the banner. The following article represents that.
Fr. Peter Laird offers mature theological thinking on Church teaching. Fr. Laird is the son of long time NFP promoters.

• Pray for a spirit of understanding and for the courage to live generously according to Christ's example.
  
  
• Avail yourself of the Church's teaching by reading Humanae vitae, Familiaris consortio and the new Catechism.
  
  
• Discuss the fruit of your study and prayer with your spouse.
  
  
• Enroll in an NFP class.
  
  
• Stay close to the two great sacramental pillars--the Eucharist and penance--for you will find there the nourishment and compassion that will assist you as you discern your resonse before God.

Coordinators' Corner

"Confidentiality--What's it all about?"

Janet L. Kistler

Most of us "old timers" (over twenty-five years) started teaching NFP as "kitchen table gospel," to our family and friends. We didn't have offices, we didn't have sophisticated record keeping procedures, we didn't even have a strict follow-up policy. We simply were available
whenever people needed us, whether it was on the phone, in the grocery store, in the vestibule of the church or in the parking lot at school.

We did have a burning desire to spread the good news of NFP. We talked about it at every opportunity and our houses were littered with NFP resources!

Despite these humble beginnings, there was always a clear understanding of the serious responsibility for confidentiality in regard to client information. A woman's charts or information about a married couple's sexual behavior was privileged and confidential information. If we needed to talk with other teachers for advice about a difficult case, we generally said something like, "I have a client who is having difficulty achieving . . . ;" never "I've been teaching Sarah and Bill but they just can't get pregnant no matter how hard they try!" Confidentiality was and remains pivotal for quality NFP client education.

Recently I had an opportunity to speak about the issue of confidentiality with three diocesan NFP coordinators.

Nancy Keaveney, R.N., NFP coordinator for the Archdiocese of Boston, emphasizes the importance of confidentiality for effective teaching. "When I meet with a client and they share information about their fertility or their personal issues, it's very private," said Nancy. Trust, she said, is what must be established. Nancy also believes that a teacher's body language should model such trust. "NFP teachers are called to go beyond simply parroting words," they must, Nancy insists, "communicate confidence." Nancy says that the road to quality teaching should begin with a discriminating teaching candidate screening process--a potential teacher's attitudes about important issues such as confidentiality should be surfaced right from the start. Nancy also advises new clients that their charts may be shown to other teachers for purposes of instruction, but that all identifying personal information will be removed first.

As the ranks of NFP programs and teachers have grown, so too has the need for teachers' meetings. Consultation with one another is now the norm. But as NFP teachers bring "difficult cases" to the table for discussion, the need for client confidentiality quickly surfaces. Luz-Elena Shearer, MS, FD, NFPP, who heads (for the Diocese of Tucson) the NFP program at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tucson, finds that omitting a client's name on a chart is helpful. When a client registers for classes in Tucson, a number is assigned and then used on all documents pertaining to that client's file. When conducting case discussions at teachers' meetings, the client is anonymously identified as is done in presentations of medical cases; e.g., "client is a 33 year old woman, with long, irregular cycles, etc." Luz-Elena limits access to client records to the NFP practitioner and/or herself. Even the department secretary does not have access to the files. Again, this ensures client confidentiality. Because the program in Tucson is a department in the hospital, strict procedures are routine and expected. For examples, files are kept for only five years, then shredded. If a client re-enters the program, a new file is created.

We Americans are a highly mobile people, and our country is geographically extensive. In the past, NFP teachers who worked many miles away from both their clients and/or colleagues, had no choice but to use the telephone and U.S. mail to communicate with one another. But today, with the advent of e-mail and the Internet, we have been propelled into the information technology age, ready or not! As good as this may be, it also make issues of confidentiality more complex.

Information technology makes it imperative to reassess our protocols for the protection of the privacy of clients. In Tucson, Luz-Elena makes sure no confidential information is included in the client data base, and she has no plans to change this in the future. All confidential information is kept in a locked facility. Technology has increased efficiency on many fronts, but it has also allowed relatively easy access to private information. Despite the informal "feel" of e-mail, inappropriate comments or questions fired off in the name of "consultation" can too easily breech client confidentiality.

In the diocese of St. Augustine, the Director of NFP, Nancy Fisher, RN, MA, notes that confidentiality and record keeping go hand-in-hand. These are "essential issues for NFP at every level." "Because Americans are so mobile," says Nancy, "a diocesan coordinator may need information from another program to assist new clients with follow-up." Nancy adds that transferring or sharing this type of information has "sometimes been a struggle." Although she understands that "client records belong to the diocese [or other program], not to the individual teacher, just as patient records belong to a hospital or medical center," she points to the need for policies to be developed that would allow for files to be moved or shared at a client's request.

As the NFP teaching community has grown we have seen provider groups become increasingly professional. The Standards of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops for diocesan NFP ministry highlight this concern for professionalism. The Standards define confidentiality as "a professional ethic that protects the privacy of clients. Confidentiality prevents the disclosure of personal information to any third party outside the realm of NFP instruction without the client's written authorization."

The future holds exciting prospects for further growth. The importance of client confidentiality will never change--it will always challenge the NFP teacher. But perhaps Nancy Fisher's quip says it best: There are parallels between the NFP teacher and a priest in confession--hear the confession, represent Christ and forget it!

___________________________
Janet L. Kistler has been an NFP teacher and educator of teachers for more than twenty five years. Before moving to Virginia with her husband Ron, Janet directed the Phoenix NFP Center; today she provides invaluable help to the DDP/NFP as an administrative assistant.

NFP Around the World

"Our Friends to the North--NFP in Canada"

WOOMB Canada
Gail Pickard

NFP is alive and well in Canada, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers and to the power of the Holy Spirit!

Lou Specken, president of the national group WOOMB Canada (World Organization/Ovulation Method/Billings) says NFP has come a long way in Canada over the past 25 years. WOOMB Canada was formed as a society in 1980, although the method was already being promoted and taught through provincial organizations which had formed earlier. WOOMB Canada is affiliated with WOOMB International and its purpose is to ensure the authentic Billings Ovulation Method is taught.

Specken and her husband Art have been involved with the Billings OM in Canada for 25 years. Both were founding members of WOOMB-BC and, later, Art was one of the founding members of WOOMB Canada. The couple, who were trained by Drs. John and Evelyn Billings, have continued to stay involved. In fact, Art is the current WOOMB-B.C. President.

The national association was formed in recognition of the need to standardize teaching across the country and to act as a clearing house for, and to provide support to, the provincial groups. A few provinces and territories have yet to join WOOMB Canada although there is teaching taking place across the country.

Teaching is conducted in small groups or on a couple-to-couple basis. While there are no current statistics on the number of teaching couples in the country, the ranks are expanding every year. In many areas, WOOMB volunteers provide instruction to couples as part of their marriage preparation. "Couples who teach and practice natural family planning are helping to spread the good news about marriage and family," Lou Specken says. All teachers are certified volunteers; there is no charge for instruction, although donations are welcome.

The resources WOOMB Canada makes available to teachers and couples include the atlas by the Drs. Billings, Dr. Evelyn Billings' two books about the Billings Method, charts and stickers, and other teaching aids such as slides and speaking notes. WOOMB Canada has been privileged to have hosted the Drs. Billings at conferences several times intended to enrich the knowledge of teaching couples.

Throughout their long association with the Billings OM, the Speckens say they have watched the use of the method enhance communication and loving co-operation in marriages. Lou Specken has watched many relationships blossom as a result of the use of the method. "If you can talk about something as private as this, I think you can talk about anything in your marriage," she says. "It's a beautiful, natural method that is simple and encourages respect for your own fertility and that of your spouse." Many couples also seek the Billings OM as a way to help them conceive. Specken concludes that NFP "is not just a means of avoiding or achieving a pregnancy; it becomes a way of life."

WOOMB Canada's goal of promoting the Billings OM throughout Canada has been affected by a number of challenges, not the least of which is financial. Since there is no charge for instruction and materials are sold at very little profit, WOOMB Canada and the provincial associations rely on charitable foundations and generous individuals for operating costs. Past support has mainly come from the Catholic Women's League, the Knights of Columbus, Canadian Bishops and philanthropists. "There is so much more that could be done," said Specken. "One of our challenges is the lack regular funding coupled with the lack of time and resources to raise funds."

Another challenge is recruiting and keeping certified teachers. Many of WOOMB Canada's teaching couples have been involved for more than 20 years, but new teaching couples are always needed because some retire or move away.

Canada's geography adds to these challenges. Outside major centers the population is often highly scattered. WOOMB Canada has addressed this by turning to technology. A web site can now be found at www.woombcanada.vividpage.net. "Technology has made our country smaller," said Specken. WOOMB teachers can now "contact one of the provincial associations on the other side of the country and respond right away." he said. Specken is grateful that e-mail keeps NFP teachers in contact with each other as well as reach clients more easily.

Like all life-affirming NFP methods, the Billings OM in Canada is constantly working against the contraceptive mentality. "There are forces working in contradiction to NFP and family life, and they have considerable resources backing them," she says. One of the approaches WOOMB Canada has used has been to reach out to doctors to make them aware of the scientific basis of the method, along with the method's safety and effectiveness, and to encourage patient referrals.

While Specken says she's pleased with how far WOOMB has come in Canada, "we still have a long way to go. There are so many more people we need to reach, and we'd like to reach them at a younger age -- before they've gotten into the contraceptive mentality." Specken adds that through the Billings Method, young people can learn greater respect for their bodies and their fertility, and this will encourage less promiscuity and fewer teen pregnancies. "Parents can provide their children with valuable life lessons by making them familiar with the Billings OM at an early age."

News Briefs

Announcements

DDP/NFP Website can be difficult to find on the home page of the Bishops' Conference (nccbuscc.org). From the home page, a user has to click on "departments" and then "Pro-Life Activities," and then "Natural Family Planning" to find us. Now we have a second link through the Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women and Youth. If an internet user clicks onto that Secretariat from the Bishops' home page and next clicks onto "Marriage and Family Life," "NFP" will be listed. The address is: www.nccbuscc.org/laity/marriage/index.htm.

20th Anniversary of Familiaris consortio will be celebrated in the year 2001. Plans for a Summer Convocation are underway by the NCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities and the Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women, & Youth on August 15-18, 2001. Watch here for further information.

The Marquette University Institute for NFP is seeking abstracts for poster presentations at a conference to be held March 22-24, 2001 in Milwaukee. Conference themes are: "Hi to Lo NFP Technology" and "Familiaris Consortio 20 Years Later." Deadline for submission: October 1, 2000. Contact: Richard J. Fehring, DNSc, RN, College of Nursing, Marquette University, P.O. Box, 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-1881; 414-288-3838; FAX, 414-288-1939; E-Mail, Richard.Fehring@Marquette.Edu.

Humanae Vitae Award. Bishop George Speltz (retired), Diocese of St. Cloud, has received the first Humanae Vitae Award from the diocese's office of Natural Family Planning. Bishop Speltz began the diocesan NFP program in 1972, showing "great courage and tremendous foresight" says to Kay Ek, Director of the Office of Natural Family Planning. For his unfailing support of Humanae Vitae, Bishop Speltz was honored with a plaque featuring a quote from Pope Paul VI stressing the importance of keeping marriage holy.

St. Augustine Foundation has begun work on a book to motivate priests to speak out against contraception and sterilization by preaching on Humanae Vitae. Priests actively involved in promoting NFP or those who are willing to simply share their preaching experiences are asked to submit articles. Contact: The St. Augustine Foundation, 538 Riverdale Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10705; 914-476-4858, or toll free 877-554-4637.

There's a New Name In Town.
You may not know--there's a new name in town--the Creighton Model now is referred to as Creighton Model FertilityCare^TM. For more information contact: Pope Paul VI Institute, 6901 Mercy Road, Omaha, NE 68106; 402-390-6600; FAX 402-390-9851.

NFP LIST is an internet discussion group for professionals interested and involved in NFP. The List is not intended for users of NFP, but rather for those who have an interest in teaching, researching, or promoting NFP. Members can share ideas and discuss issues with practitioners, physicians, educators, clergy, and ethicists. Among other things, the list is intended to present current information on NFP, discuss research, disseminate meeting announcements, announce collaborative opportunities and promote a better understanding of a variety of professional perspectives on NFP. The NFPLIST is maintained at the University of Utah and is an academic list. It is not sponsored by any religious organization, although religious perspectives as well as other perspectives are welcome as they pertain to discussions about NFP on a professional level. Contact: schisum@inlink.com or jstanford@dfpm.utah.edu.

Barbara Gross, Ph.D., an outstanding NFP advocate, teacher and researcher, died in February 1999 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Barbara was instrumental in providing the basis for the Lactational Amenorrhoea Method (LAM) as well as evaluating the Ovarian Monitor and numerous other fertility detection devices when they appeared on the market. A tribute to Barbara can be found in the June issue of the ACNFP Newsletter. Please remember her and her family in your prayers.


Events

February 22-26, 2000. Northwest Family Services' Provider Education and Certification in the Sympto-Thermal Method of NFP at the Providence Medical Center in Portland, OR. Contact: NWFS, 4805 N.E. Glisan St., Portland, OR 97213; 503-215-6377.

March 19-25, 2000. "National Natural Family Planning Week," as declared by the American Academy of Natural Family Planning was celebrated during the week of the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25. Materials were provided to NFP centers across the country to increase public awareness of NFP. Co-sponsors and/or promoters included the following: Billings Ovulation Method Association of America; California Natural Family Planning Association; Family of the Americas Foundation; Northwest Family Services and the Diocesan Development Program for Natural Family Planning. Contact: AANFP, 3680 Grant Drive, Suite "O", Reno, NV 89509; 775-827-5408.

March 29, 2000. "NFP Day at the Capitol"was held at the Minnesota State Capitol, sponsored by the NFP Association of Minnesota. It gave NFP clients, staff and supporters an opportunity to meet with legislators, share ideas on NFP and discuss funding issues. Contact: Kay Ek, NFP Office, Diocese of St. Cloud, 316 North 7h St., St. Cloud, MN 56303; 1-800-864-6225.

June 17-24, 2000. FertilityCare Center of Kansas City will hold a Creighton Model NFP Practitioner Education Program in Wichita, KS. Contact: Phyllis White, Director, 3220 West 53rd St., Roeland Park, KS 66205; 913/3884-1000.

June 25-28, 2000. The Couple to Couple League will hold its biennial conference in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky. Contact: CCL Convention 2000, P.O. Box 111184, Cincinnati, OH 45211; 513-471-2000.

June 29-July 2 & July 6-9, 2000. The Billings Ovulation Method Association-USA is sponsoring a "Back-to-Basics Update" for teachers. The featured speaker is Marian Corkill, Senior Trainer from the Billings Centre, Melbourne, Australia. There are two locations to choose from: St. Louis, MO in June or St. Cloud, MN in July. Contact: BOMA-USA, 316 North 7th Avenue, St. Cloud, MN 56303; 320-252-2100 or 888-637-6371.

July 12 & 13, 2000. The Diocese of Camden will hold a seminar entitled "Guiding Couples to Happy, Healthy, and Holy Marriages" for priests, deacons, seminarians, and pastoral ministers at the Pius X Retreat House in Blackwook, N.J. (20 minutes from Philadelphia). Featured speakers are John and Sheila Kippley. Contact: Cecilia LeChevallier, 856-756-7900, ext.6315; e-mail, camdennjnfp@cs.com.

July 26-29, 2000. The American Academy of Natural Family Planning has scheduled its 19th annual meeting at the University of Saint Thomas, St. Paul, MN. The theme is "Navigating Ethical Waters in the Next Millennium." Contact: AANFP, 3680 Grant Drive, Suite "O", Reno, NV 89509; 775-827-5408.

September 2-October 21, 2000. The Marquette University College of Nursing Natural Family Planning Teacher Training Program will be offered on eight Saturday mornings from 8:30 am-12:30 pm beginning September 2. The Marquette Model of NFP is a biotechnological model that combines 21st century technology with natural biological markers of fertility. The program includes a two course sequence of NFP theory and supervised practicum. Both courses can be taken for undergraduate or graduate credit or for continuing education units. Contact: Richard J. Fehring, DNSc, Director, 414-288-3838; e-mail, richard.fehring@marquette.edu.

September 29-October 1, 2000. The GIFT Foundation will be sponsoring its second conference, "Pandora's Pillbox 2" in Rosemont, IL. A special half-day session entitled "Answering the Call to Marital Chastity: A Symposium on Natural Family Planning" will be offered. Contact: GIFT Foundation, P.O. Box 95, Carpentersville, IL 60110; 847-844-1167; info@giftfoundation.org.

October 12-18, 2000. The Third International Meeting of the Holy Father with Families in celebration of the Jubilee Year 2000 will be held in Rome. The theme chosen by the Holy Father, is "Children, The Springtime of the Family and of Society." Some of the topics to be covered are the relationships of children with parents and the social environment, as well as the analysis of the problems of abuse, exploitation and violence against minors. For travel information contact: Peter's Way International, Ltd., 25 South Service Road #240, Jericho, NY 11753; 800/225-7662. Information on the agenda, contact: Rick McCord, Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women & Youth, 3211 Fourth St., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017; 202-541-3040.

Lecture Cruise--January 5-12, 2001. Dr. Janet Smith, University of Dallas, and Rev. James Sullivan, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, will give a lecture series on the Seven Virtues aboard one of Holland America's newest ships. Departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, the ports-of-call will include Barbados, Martinique, St. Martin and St. Thomas. Excellent group rates! Contact: Karen at Bursch Travel in St. Cloud, MN, 1-800-742-2331.

Resources

Archdiocese of Boston, Office of Natural Family Planning, has a 16 minute video entitled "Planning Your Family Together" which could be used with engaged couples as an introduction to NFP. Contact: Nancy Keaveney, Coordinator, Archdiocese of Boston NFP Program, 2121 Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton, MA 02135; 617-783-2451.

Aware Center has available the booklet, "Making the Ovulation Method Work for You" for $1.00 each. In addition, an audio tape entitled "Learning Your Cycle of Fertility" which discusses the Billings Ovulation Method is also available for $3.00 each. Contact: Merrilee Underhill, Aware Inc., c/o St. Anthony's Medical Center, 10010 Kennerly Road, St. Louis, MO 63128; 314-525-1622.

Diocese of Memphis NFP Center has available the booklet Catholic Church Teaching on Human Sexuality, Marriage & Family Life, Conjugal Love, Responsible Parenthood and The Formation of Conscience by Rev. Richard Hogan. Contact: Mary Pat Van Epps, Director, Diocese of Memphis NFP Center, 5825 Shelby Oaks Drive, Memphis, TN 38124; 901-373-1285.

Gift Foundation has available audio tapes from Pandora's Pillbox '99. Contact: GIFT Foundation, P.O. Box 95, Carpentersville, IL 60110; 847-844-1167; info@giftfoundation.org.

Sheila Kippley, Co-founder of CCL, has just completed the fourth edition of her book Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing. Contact: CCL, P.O. Box 111184, Cincinnati, OH 45211; www.ccli.org.

The Service and Research Foundation of Asia on Family and Culture (SERFAC), has available the book The Family and Contemporary Social RealityPastroal Priorities and Challenges. Edited by Dr. Catherine Bernard, director of SERFAC, topics include: Adult Development and Faith; Intimacy and Mutuality with God–Relational Prayer; Sexuality and Spirituality; Pressures Against Marriage and Family Life; NFP and Responsible Parenthood. The book consists of papers presented at the Seminar organized for the Bishops Chairmen, Commission for the Family in the Countries of Asia , August 13-19, 1999. Cost per copy is $15.00 plus $5.00 postage and handling. A discount of 10% is given on orders of 3 or more. Contact: SERFAC, 140, Manimangalam Road, Varadarajapuram, Chennai–600 048, India.

Women Affirming Life has two new resources available: a study guide on The Theology of the Body," written by Mary Shivanandan, STD.; and the audio tapes from the conference "The Feminine Genius & The Culture of Life," Washington, D.C., March 24 & 25, 2000. Contact: Women Affirming Life, P.O. Box 35532, Brighton, MA 02135; 617-254-2277.


Chastity News

The Abstinence the Better Choice Corporation is hosting an RSVP two day seminar on June 13-14 to enable teachers to better discuss sexual abstinence with their students. The seminar is being held at the Akron City Hospital School of Nursing, Akron, OH. Contact: Abstinence the Better Choice, 2222 Issaquah St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221; www.abstinencebetterchoice.com.

The National Abstinence Clearinghouse will hold a National Leadership Forum on Abstinence, July 27-29, 2000 in Branson, MO. This conference is for leaders in the abstinence movement. Contact: NAC, 801 East 41st Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105; 605-335-3643.

The Diocese of Springfield, IL, with the INFPA, sponsored a one day program on chastity in all phases of life on April 1, 2000. Entitled "Taking the Message into the Millennium," the program was designed for NFP teachers and users, catechists, teachers who provide sexuality education, youth ministers, physicians, nurses, medical students, clergy and interested persons. Contact: Donna Dausman, Director, Family Life, 1615 West Washington Ave., Springfield, IL 62702; 217-698-8500.

Email us at nfp@usccb.org
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