Natural Family Planning week slated for July 25-31

By JULIE KEANE, Globe staff reporter
July 8, 2004

(A list of teachers  follows)

The Diocese of Sioux City will be observing Natural Family Planning Week, which has been set by The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for the week of July 25, to help couples plan the future of their families.

"Natural family planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve or avoid pregnancies," said Bev 

Hurni, director of faith ministries. "They (NFP methods) are based on the observations of natural occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of the women's menstrual cycles."

Hurni said it is important to remember that NFP is not comparable to birth control or the rhythm method of birth control, which is based on scientific theory that ovulation can be predicted by calculating past menstrual cycles. NFP tracks the changes associated with ovulation, and the Catholic Church supports NFP methods due to the fact that it recognizes human life and family.

"NFP is supported because it is open to the transmission of human life and recognizes the value of children," Hurni said. "It respects the two-fold of sexual intercourse that is the mutual self-giving and the openness to life."

Margy Jakos and her husband Ed have been actively using NFP for many years and have three children due to the success of NFP. The Jakos' led the discussion on natural family planning for the Engaged Encounter Retreat this year for couples preparing for marriage in the diocese. Jakos said it was important to talk with couples about natural family planning because the church accepts it and it allows couples to learn how to communicate with each other and how to plan for a family.

"Natural family planning is one way that we communicate," said Jakos. "Every month we work together to decide what God wants for us. The reason we share that we have three children is because we really know that NFP works."

Jakos said infertility and health concerns are becoming major issues, which makes natural family planning an even more important topic for discussion.

"Another issue we have to bring up to our couples is infertility," Jakos said. "Infertility is becoming a big issue. NFP is natural and there is nothing that will harm the woman. If there is a pregnancy, you don't have to worry about if I did anything harmful to my baby."

NFP will not cause harm to a baby and allows for mutual responsibility between the married couple. Besides the fact that artificial birth control is counter to church teachings, Jakos said its use puts the responsibility on one person.

"If it's a condom, it's up to the husband to be responsible," Jakos said.

"Or if the women forgets to take her pill or the pill is not effective, it's the women. In that respect, it (artificial birth control) encourages separation. If NFP is practiced correctly, it is 99 percent effective. It is not easy, but it is really good for our marriage. It comes all together in our communication."

Classes are offered throughout the diocese for couples wishing to find out more about NFP and the different methods used.

Anyone interested in receiving more information about specific classes and different types of natural family planning call one of the instructors or the Office of Faith Formation at (712) 233-7513. Hurni also said if anyone is interested in teaching NFP, please call her to receive more information about training and financial assistance.