Diocesan NFP Ministry Requiring NFP Education In Marriage Preparat ion Rev. Robert Cannon, JCL Rachelle Sauvageau, Diocese of Fargo Cindy Leonard, Diocese of Phoenix

Diocesan NFP Ministry Goal & Strategy Implementation Best Practices & Results This is the Moment! Best Practices: A Look at Requiring NFP Education as Part of Marriage Preparat ion Canon Law

 The right to marriage within the context of Natural, Divine, and Ecclesiastical law  Concern for marriage – the Church’s response  Distinction between marriage preparation requirements and prerequisites for marriage  The truth of God’s vision of human sexuality – a matter of justice  Finding the delicate pastoral balance  Cf., CIC/83: Canons 1055, 1058, 838§4, 843§1-2, 1063, and 1064 USCCB Complementary Norms, Oct. 20, 2000 Canon Law

Some Preliminary Considerations: What is your Bishop’s/ Diocese’s goal? What is your current policy? What changes need to be made to meet the goal? What are the limiting factors for your diocese? Are there enough NFP teachers? Would you consider distance learning? Who is overseeing this project? Who is your team? (Marriage & Family Life Director; NFP Coordinator; NFP Office Staff; NFP only healthcare; NFP Advisory Board; NFP teachers; volunteers) What is your strategy and timeline? Are there exceptions to the policy? Stage 1

1998 Policy Two courses required (approx. 14 hrs.) Introduction to Natural Family Planning- 2 hours; English & Spanish Six-month prep per iod Policy Three courses required (approx. 26 hrs) Full course in an approved method of NFP – (At least 4 meetings & charting) Nine month prep perio d Stage 1

Promotion, education, trainings prior to implementation to prepare for the changes: Clergy - mailings, workshops, seminars Marriage Prep Lay Leadership- workshops, seminars, mandatory trainings Laity - Articles in Diocesan newspaper, NFP Awareness Week announcements, Videos at Mass, etc. Important to Invest: staffing, time, money, effort. Stage 2

 Increase Numbers of NFP Instructors: Focus on Recruitment, Training, On-going Formation, & Collegiality - Encourage All Major Methods - 85 teachers in English, Spanish, Vietnamese  On-line Client Instruction with part time Instructor teaches 300 couples per year.  Diocesan NFP Introduction Presentation Enhanced and placed at end of God’s Plan for Joy Filled Marriage Seminar.  Full NFP Course – at least 4 sessions over weeks, including charting.  Launch New Website to promote, register, advertise, & offer refresher and special classes to support clients throughout their reproductive lifetime.  Outreach to NFP-Only Healthcare Professionals -Attend Catholic Physician’s Guild Meetings -Send letters/NFP info to Pro Life Physicians/PRAY for them! R efer and support: 3 NFP- Only Ob/Gyns Stage 2

Starting at Ground Zero- “From Scratch” USCCB-Natural Family Planning Program Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry Mandated Seminars for Priests/Deacons Annual meeting for NFP Instructors Clergy Spring Ed Days focused on Theology of the Body Deanery meetings for priests and NFP instructors Education of Laity Branding/Name Recognition NFP Stage 2

Fargo Bathroom Ad Stage 2

…in a perfect world… 1. Jan 1 : A couple meets with Pastor or his delegate, parish starts their Nuptial File. 2. Jan : FOCCUS inventory 3. Jan-Mar : Married Life Skills Course (weekend or 6 evenings)-ex: Love for Life, Engaged Encounter, Unitas or other approved program. 4. Mar-June: God’s Plan for Joy Filled Marriage –which includes an NFP Introduction by a NFP teachers: Certificate of Attendance. 5. April- July : Full NFP Course – at least 4 sessions over weeks, including charting: Certificate of Attendance 6. Aug 15—Sept 15 : Reconciliation 7. Aug 1-Sept 1 : Final meeting with Pastor or his delegat e …October 1 st wedding! Stage 2

√ -NFP Acceptance Rates √ √ -God’s Plan & NFP Teachers √ - Compliance Rates-Next Year - NFP Continuation Rates Stage 3

Diocese of Fargo NFP Program Statistics

2009: 1234 Intros & 380 Complete NFP Series 2010: 520 Intros & 494 Complete NFP Series 2011: 998 Couples complete NFP Series 2012: 1092 Couples complete NFP Series 2013: 1007 Couples complete NFP Series Stage 3

YesNoMaybe/Not SureNo Answer More Active in Faith? 2198 = 69%335 = 11%573 = 18%76 = 2% Deeper Commitment to Christ? 2512 = 79%541 = 17%n/a130 = 4% Living together? 2006 = 63%1083 = 34%n/a91 = 3% Sexually active? 2803 = 88%321 = 10%n/a60 = 2% Save Sex now for Marriage? 1338 = 42%446 = 14%923 = 29%477 = 15% Plan to Contracept pre-course? 1178 = 37%1242 = 39%605 = 19%159 = 5% Still Planning to Contracept? 440 = 14%935 = 29%942 = 29%911 = 28% Yes to NFP after Intro 1719 = 53%222 = 8%1051 = 33%192 = 6% Stage 3

What are couples saying after their NFP classes? “This is a very interesting & useful course that I believe should be taught in place of other forms of “Sex Ed" as it is far more useful & brings one in touch with their own body, as well as their partner’s (for the man). ” “We were not sure about using NFP until we went to God's Plan for a Joy filled marriage class which cemented the idea for us & gave a lot more explanation. ” “While we're still learning, looking back, we see how far we've come. It will be great to continue to use NFP when we're married. ” “I hope you'll be around for a while, I think we still need a lot of feedback.” “Great course, learned a ton, looking forward to getting better at our charting techniques.” “Going to stop using contraceptives & start NFP as main form of BC. ” “Right now I am on the pill for medical reasons but will stop after I finish this last cycle. After that, we will do NFP. I should be having normal cycles in about 6 months & so I would appreciate a follow-up. Thank you again for your help.” “I was amazed to see how the chart progressed along with my cycle. Excited to use!” “I went to Catholic schools for 12 years & never heard about this before. It would have saved me lots of heartache. ”

All NFP Methods, including Fertility Monitor lending Free Teacher & Couple Parish Rep Training Referrals for NFP-Only Healthcare Providers Referrals for Low Cost IUD Removal & Sterilization Reversals Pastoral & Practical Support for those affected by Infertility:  Annual St. Gerard ’ s Mass of Comfort & Hope  Support & referrals for licit infertility treatments  Support & referrals for those suffering miscarriage NFP For Pre-Menopause- free refreshers NFP While Breastfeeding- free refreshers Mother-Daughter/ Father-Son ‘ Gift of Fertility ’ Workshops NFP/ Fertility Awareness Presentations tailored to your parish ’ needs:  RCIA, Adult Catechesis, Parish Leadership, Women ’ s/Men ’ s Groups, Baptism Classes. Catholic Academy for Life Leadership for Teens We are dedicated to empowering all people to see their sexuality as a great gift from God

Stage 3

Questions?

Diocesan NFP Ministry Worth it! Doable! Blessings! Requiring NFP Education In Marriage Preparat ion