“Love Beyond Measure, Natural Family Planning, Supporting God’s gifts of love and life in marriage” is the theme of this year’s national Natural Family Planning Awareness Week (July 21–27, 2024).
As an educational campaign of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), “NFP Week” celebrates God’s design for married love and the gift of life, and raises awareness about Natural Family Planning (NFP) methods. “NFP,” as the U.S. bishops have written, are supportive of Catholic beliefs about married love because NFP “respects the God-given power to love a new human life into being” (see, U.S. Bishops, Married Love and the Gift of Life)
The dates of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week are July 21–27, 2024. These dates highlight the anniversary of the papal encyclical Humanae vitae (July 25), which articulates Catholic beliefs about human sexuality, marriage, conjugal love, and responsible parenthood.
The Diocese of Allentown joins with the U.S. bishops in highlighting the benefits of NFP as ethical methods to help married couples live God’s design for their marriages. The couples highlighted below are part of the Diocesan NFP task force and share why NFP has been significant in their lives:
"Each fertility awareness method today is based on modern medical science with applications in so many areas of our health. God's intricate design of the human body truly is a marvel!" – Arielle Kaminski
"Natural Family Planning and Fertility Awareness go hand in hand. Fertility Awareness not only offers women huge value for health and wellness, but also serves as a bridge to participating in the full spiritual teachings of the Church regarding human sexuality. When couples come into their engagement comfortable with the knowledge of fertility awareness, NFP is much more approachable and can act as an on-ramp to deeper Catholic faith rather than a barrier." – Andrew Rall
"Fertility awareness and natural family planning is such a hidden gem of the truth, beauty, and goodness. It highlights the dignity of women and the beauty of marriage, and provides so much freedom. While it feels to many like a controversial topic and Church teaching, it is one part of our faith that I wish everyone could learn more about." – Sarah DeArment
"All women, young and old, need the knowledge of their bodies in order to understand and monitor their general health. In understanding the God-given design of their bodies and fertility through NFP and Fertility Awareness, husbands and wives can grow to fully understand one, achieve their family planning goals, and grow closer to God through their openness to His perfect will in their lives." – Kathleen Chovanes
To learn more about the methods of NFP offered in our diocese, see, https://www.allentowndiocese.org/nfp or visit the NFP section of the USCCB website at https://www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning/what-natural-family-planning.
Connect with an NFP Teacher or Method by visiting https://www.allentowndiocese.org/learn-nfp or learn NFP in the comfort of your home by contacting one of the NFP providers listed at https://www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning/find-nfp-class.
The Catholic Church invites all the faithful to embrace God’s plan for married love. Learn more about these beautiful teachings which support the use of NFP in marriage at https://www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning/church-teaching.
