1. Psalm 127 If the Lord does not build the house in vain do its builders labor; If the Lord does not watch over the city, In vain does the watchman keep vigil. In vain is your earlier rising, your going later to rest, you who toil for the bread you eat: while He pours His gifts on His beloved while they slumber.

2. Do you believe??  In God’s goodness?  In God’s infinite love for you?  In God’s wisdom?  That God has a plan for you, and that it is better than any plan you could dream for yourself?

3. God’s plan for married couples…  He gave us a way to express our love for each other through sexual union. This act of giving ourselves to one another brings two gifts:  Unity  procreation

4. Part of this plan, one that modern society sometimes leaves out, is procreation… Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, a blessing, the fruit of the womb. Indeed, sons are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. O the happiness of the man who has filled his quiver with these arrows! Psalm 127

5. But what if there are serious circumstances… and the couple believes they should not have a baby at this time?

6. Or…  What if the couple feels that God is calling them to have children, but they’ve been unable to conceive?

7. Natural Family Planning

8. What is NFP?  Natural family planning.  The observation of fertile signs in the woman’s body. (Men are always fertile, women are rarely fertile.)

9. What is NFP?  Some types of NFP: –Ovulation method – mucus observation. –Sympto-thermal method – mucus + temperature NOT the “rhythm method”!

10. Advantages  Can be used at any time in the woman’s life: breastfeeding, menopause, irregular periods.  Can be used to achieve pregnancy and plan time of birth.  No cost or adverse side effects to the woman or the child.

11. Advantages  Can be used at any time in the woman’s life: breastfeeding, menopause, irregular periods.  Can be used to achieve pregnancy or to avoid pregnancy if serious reason exists.  No cost or adverse side effects to the woman or the child.

12. Advantages  Can be used at any time in the woman’s life: breastfeeding, menopause, irregular periods.  Can be used to achieve pregnancy and plan time of birth.  No cost or adverse side effects to the woman or the child.

13. NFP requires abstinence during fertile times if pregnancy is to be avoided.

14. Why not contraception?

15. Why not contraception? answer #1  The teaching authority of the Church – the Magisterium:  “Contraception is intrinsically evil”. God is the source of our life, joy, peace and happiness both in this world and the next.

16. Why not contraception? #2, #3  Harmful to the woman. –Hormonal: cancer, infertility, cardiovascular problems, uncomfortable side effects  Other types not as effective as NFP.

17. Contraception – Why not? #4 – Hormonal contraceptives are Abortifacients

18. Contraception – Why not? #5  Sexual union is for unity AND procreation –Must be open to God’s will in your life. –The sex act in marriage is sacred, God is present in a special way as a new human life comes into existence. –The openness of the parents to God’s will in their lives honors Him and shows their love for Him and their trust in Him.

19. This is definitely countercultural! I’ll do it My way! Not My will, but Yours be done! OBEDIENCE

20. What should I do?  Pray for your future marriage and married couples everywhere.  Become trained in NFP with your fiance before your marriage.  Prayerfully seek God’s will in your life and pray that you continue to grow in your love for others.