One of the goals is that medical personnel, especially Catholic doctors, become more knowledgeable about natural methods of family planning. In many areas of the country there are NFP only physicians, that is, they do not prescribe any artificial contraceptives but instead teach couples natural methods. I attend the course and met a couple of physicians who had "contraceptive free" practices. They are relatively small in number but they tend to have more clients than they can handle.
Interest in NFP is great from a health standpoint, but even more important are the spiritual benefits to a couple who use periodic continence based on self-observation. As the Catechism states: "These methods respect the bodies of the spouses, encourage tenderness between them and favor the education of an authentic freedom." (#2370) Couples who follow Jesus' teaching in this area do receive important blessings.
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August update: There will be an informational gathering on the most modern method of natural family plannning, its philosophy, effectiveness and scientific basis, Saturday, September 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Providence Medical Center, 500 17th Ave. Seattle. Engaged and married couples as well as single adults are welcome. Follow up will be available for those who wish to know more about the Billings Method of Natural Family Planning. For further information, please call Cheryl McCoy, 206-382-4593 or 1-800-950-4970
The difference between Birth Control and Natural Family Planning