Contracepted Sex=Homosexual Sex

If you can't see video, follow this link: http://youtu.be/E8U4b6n-iRw

You've heard this factoid before-no church accepted contraception before 1930. That is, until the Lambeth Conference, when the Anglican Church decided contraception was acceptable under certain circumstances. It was all downhill after that, with Protestant denominations, one after another, following suit.

A more conservative Washington Post, on March 22, 1931, reacted with this statement:

"Carried to its logical conclusion, the committee's report, if carried into effect, would sound the death-knell of marriage as a holy institution by establishing degrading practices which would encourage indiscriminate immorality. The suggestion that the use of legalized contraceptives would be "careful and restrained" is preposterous."

The Catholic Church also, at that time clarified Her position with Pope Pius XI's encyclical Casti Conubii, On Christian Marriage.

To take away from man the natural and primeval right of marriage, to circumscribe in any way the principal ends of marriage laid down in the beginning by God Himself in the words 'Increase and multiply,' is beyond the power of any human law.

But no reason, however grave, may be put forward by which anything intrinsically against nature may become conformable to nature and morally good. Since, therefore, the conjugal act is destined primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in exercising it deliberately frustrate its natural power and purpose sin against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and intrinsically vicious.

Pat Robertson would have his followers believe that Protestant churches have always accepted contraception. Being born in 1930, maybe he wouldn't remember. But a pillar of his church should make it his business to know.

On top of that, he lets his true colors show, when he talks about large families in Appalachia. He describes the poor children as "ragamuffins" and suggests they would have been better off not to be born. A tragic pronouncement for anyone to declare-who lives and who should not be born. And Protestants (and Liberals) aren't the only ones who make these pronouncements. Recall Matt. 26:11- "For the poor you have always with you: but me you have not always."

Michael Voris draws a clear cut conclusion: if Robertson (and others) can claim to be pro-life, but still advocate for birth control, then they advocate against life.  For one reason, proponents of life realize the abortifacient property of birth control. Proponents of death won't draw the line between contraception and emergency contraception, and therefore abortion. More importantly, because birth control frustrates the marriage act's meaning- the begetting of children- Protestants like Robertson unknowingly open the door to unnatural unions that do the same thing.

Prayer for CCL's Apostolate

Lord God,

you called us into communion with you,

whether in celibacy or in holy matrimony, to

reflect your love in a life of service. In a world

which has grown blind to the beauty of your

creation, help us to live the love with fidelity

and fruitfulness. Send your Holy Spirit to

give us the courage to speak the truth, and

faith so that we are not discouraged. We

entrust the work of the Couple to Couple

League to your care. Make us good stewards

and credible witnesses. May we always be

faithful to you. We seek the intercession of

Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Joseph, Sts.

Joachim and Anne, and St. Gianna Beretta

Molla. May they and all the communion of

saints intercede on our behalf to Jesus Christ,

the Lord of Life.

Amen.

Attachment parenting and extended breastfeeding work!

Attachment parenting and extended breastfeeding works

Buttons at Delta airline protest.
Breastfeeding women thrown off plane.

Breast milk changes through every stage of the baby's life: from newborn, to infancy to toddler hood. The AAFP reports the range of acceptable age to nurse is birth to age 7! This culture needs to stop complaining and let moms do what they know is best- feed their baby the way God intended!

Read some of the research on extended breastfeeding. Comments welcome!

NFP Poll- please vote!

Does counting days work?

How to save money in healthcare? Use NFP! It's cheaper and more accurate- right?

My little poll in the right side bar here has to do with NFP awareness- how much do you know?

If you want to learn more? Visit ccli.org

Do you know anyone who used it? Or thinks they used it? Get them to answer the poll.

Are you an engaged couple who knows? Are you a single person who knows?

Lots of cool NFP bloggers have been posting about making NFP more accessible to modern young couples.

Let's see where people fall on the scale of "NFP awareness."

Leave a comment with your thoughts!

Please select ALL that apply and thanks for voting !
Please RT to your followers! #nfppoll

Requiescat in pacem, Fr. Richard Hogan

Fr. Hogan with Adrienne Keogler of Fairfield County CCL

The pro-life community mourns the untimely passing of one of her most dedicated servants- Fr. Richard Hogan who passed away on June 14, 2011 due to complications from diabetes. Most recently, Fr. Hogan worked with the Couple to Couple League to update the Natural Family Planning program for couples and teachers. Fr. Hogan was one of the first to bring Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body into study and popularity, writing books and giving talks on the subject over more than 25 years.

Sharing his knowledge and love for Theology of the Body and its teachings, Fr. Hogan served on the CCL Board of Directors for four years, and his booklets, "Is NFP Good", and "The Human Body...a sign of dignity and gift" are used in the training of CCL teaching couples. Fr. Hogan is featured in CCL's classes, on DVD, presenting talks as part of the pastoral portion of NFP instruction. Bishop William Lori invited Fr. Hogan to speak on Theology of the Body in the Diocese of Bridgeport's 2004 conference, Human Love in the Divine Plan, where he shared his knowledge and love generously.

Being one of the first to explore and publish on TOB, Fr.Hogan later hosted a TOB program on EWTN, and also answered questions on the NFP Forum on the EWTN website.

Serving full time at Priests for Life, Fr. Hogan was the only priest beside Fr. Pavone who was given permission to serve full time there, which he did for five years. "With the passing of Father Hogan, it is my prayer that we will continue to see more priests and deacons seek and receive permission to minister to the unborn on a full-time basis. Moreover, we renew the call for lay people to devote themselves full-time to the pro-life cause," Father Pavone said.

Fr. Hogan's influence will continue to touch the pro-life community and NFP couples for many years. CCL teachers have been touched by Fr. Hogan.  "He will be so missed..." says Pamela, "yet live on through our classes."

He will be greatly missed. Fr. Hogan, pray for us!

Read more
http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=41779
http://www.priestsforlife.org/articles/3673-priests-for-life-mourns-passing-of-fr-richard-hogan
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Couple-to-Couple-League-Natural-Family-Planning/211105765697
http://www.nfpoutreach.org/hogan.htm

Natural Family Planning Awareness Week begins July 24

NFP Awareness Week is July 24-30 this year. NFP Week highlights the anniversary of Humanae Vitae,  the 1968 encyclical of Pope Paul VI focusing on human sexuality, conjugal love, and responsible parenthood, and the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, the parents of the Blessed Mother.

During NFP week, tell someone why NFP is a physically and spiritually healthy way to marital love. Evangelize your pastor, and ask for an NFP Class to be held in your parish. Involve your pro-life ministry in educating their members about the life-giving gift of NFP.

And celebrate the renewal of your marriage vows! ;-)

Two men of science, two very different paths to fertility

Most of us don’t think of people suffering professionally because of their faith, but it still happens.

Dr. Josef Roetzer, who died earlier this month, was an example. Roetzer is the Austrian doctor who improved fertility awareness science in the 1950s. His work led to the development of the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning.

Roetzer studied human fertility, recording observations from more than 300,000 cycles. Roetzer discovered that by combining temperature in formation with mucus observations, periods of fertility and infertility could be identified with extreme accuracy. His work was revolutionary, but it was shunned by the establishment, which was dominated by the pharmaceutical industry.

Austrian Bishop Klaus Kung reportedly said that Roetzer “suffered many a setback in his work” due to his Catholic faith.

The Austrian bishops funded Roetzer from 1966 to 1974 so he could continue his research. In 1986, he founded the Institute for Natural Family Planning, which today is run by his daughter, Elisabeth. At the age of 91, Josef Roetzer died on Oct. 4.

Read more...

Remembering an NFP Champion | Register Exclusives | NCRegister.com

By James Graves

Family and friends honored Dr. Richard Wetzel, 52, author of two Sexual Wisdom books that champion the Catholic Church’s teaching on sexuality, at funeral Mass yesterday in Costa Mesa, Calif.Wetzel had been battling stage-4 metastatic kidney cancer for three years. He died May 8.

J.T. Finn, founder of Pro-Life America, memorialized, “Richard had a burning passion for Christ, for families, for our country and for our youth. He was truly a great Catholic gentleman … a man of faith, a man of courage, a man of conviction and dedication.”

Wetzel grew up in southern California. He came from a Catholic family, but by the time he headed off to medical school, he had broken with the Catholic Church, believing its teachings on human sexuality to be outdated and unrealistic.

He married his wife, Dominique, in 1985, and settled in Huntington Beach, Calif., about an hour’s drive south of Los Angeles. He began working as a family physician.

Dominique informed him during their engagement that she would not be using artificial birth control but natural family planning. Wetzel reluctantly agreed, believing she would soon change her mind. But it was he who would change his mind: “A few years into my marriage and using NFP, I came to realize that something good was going on.”

In fact, he came to believe that contraception was harmful to a couple’s relationship and led to many evils, such as abortion. By 1989, he refused to prescribe contraceptives to his patients. He began studying the Catholic faith intensively and was particularly impressed with Pope John Paul II’s encyclicals Veritatis Splendor and Evangelium Vitae. It wasn’t long before he wanted to share his newfound knowledge with others.

As Dominique recalled, “Richard has always wanted to save the world. He was a dreamer. He even thought about becoming a missionary.”

In his medical practice, Wetzel saw the harm sexual immorality had on his patients, not just in terms of disease, but in the effect it had on their relationships with others. He went to work on his first book challenging the popular culture’s perspective on sex, Sexual Wisdom: A Guide for Parents, Young Adults, Educators, and Physicians, which was self-published in 1998. The book presented 17 misconceptions about sex that are held by many in society, and then presented arguments to dispel the myths.

His 17 misconceptions began with Misconception No. 1: “People, especially men, have specific, genital, sexual needs.”

Using natural law and commonsense arguments, Dr. Wetzel argued that sex should be an enhancement of a love relationship between a married couple, not the fulfillment of one partner’s “sexual needs.” The couple’s focus should be on the relationship, not sex. He opined, “We must ask whether genital, sexual activity is part of a relationship or an end in itself.”

Sex, he continued, should “enrich and validate a balanced, healthy relationship.”

His final misconception, which would ultimately lead to his second book, was: “Sex education should be ‘values free.’” He lamented that much of the sex education in American schools was contraceptive-based and destroyed the modesty of more naive students.

Although he didn’t use religious-based arguments or quote Scripture, he received the endorsement of many prominent religious figures. Bishop John Myers, who was then bishop of Peoria, Ill., commented, “I believe that this book will be of assistance not only to parents but also to all of those who concern themselves with the proper sexual formation of young people today.”

Wetzel took special care when it was time to teach his own children about sex, and turned his lesson plan into a second book, Sexual Wisdom for Catholic Adolescents, a home-based, comprehensive course for older teens (age 16 and up). Unlike the first book, this one was from a distinctly Catholic perspective, including quotes from Scripture and prayers before lessons.

Never intended as a money-making venture, the entire book can be downloaded for free at his website. Copies can be ordered at cost through the website.

In 2007, Wetzel was diagnosed with kidney cancer — an aggressive form, in fact, which quickly kills most who have it. He had a tremendous will to live and sought treatments that, remarkably, prolonged his life for three years. “It’s been a gift that we’ve had him for the last three years,” Dominique said.
Wetzel’s personal piety grew in his final years, and he developed a devotion to the Blessed Mother. Dominique remembers how on a trip to a Lourdes grotto in South Bend, Ind., he insisted the family shiver outdoors in the snow while they prayed the Rosary.

He also came to realize the value of sufferings offered to God. He offered his sufferings not only for his family, Dominique said, “but also that the Church’s message of chastity may be promoted throughout the world.”

MUCUS and MOTHER TERESA

This blogpost was written by Dorothy Vining, a writer and pro-life advocate in my town. She came to our NFP "Upgrade" Class for CCL members. Her blog is Musings at 85.

By Dorothy Vining

I’m 86, I just got back from a Natural Family Planning course, and here I am, all excited all over again! I am, perhaps, not in the usual NFP demographic, but I never cease to be amazed at the wonders of the human body and I’ve been writing about the efficacy of NFP for years now.

I am also totally amazed that supposedly intelligent people, all green and natural, with their filtered water, their organic veggies, and their free ranging chickens, are willing to pollute their one and only body rather than – God forbid – abstain from sex every now and then. There is just no end to the variety of non-biological carcinogenic steroids that they are willing to ingest, insert, or apply as rings, things, pills and patches, rather than learn to understand their bodies and behave rationally.

Quite conveniently I have come across an old article of mine with a September, 1993, quote from the British Medical Journal authored by Dr. R.E.J. Ryder, Department of Endocrinology, Dudley Road Hospital in Birmingham, England. In it Dr. Ryder says that the Catholic church offers and approves a method of birth control which is “cheap, effective, without side-effects…and may be the family planning method of choice for the Third World.” His article provoked “unprecedented debate” in Great Britain and there was “enormous resistance” to its publication.

Dr. Ryder repeated the well-known facts that a woman’s egg has a lifespan of about 24 hours and is fertilizable for only part of that time. The sperm, however, may remain viable from four to seven days. “Thus a woman is potentially fertile for no more than six to eight days of her cycle, probably less in most cases.” Hormonal studies as well as ultrasound studies have confirmed that the clinical observations of changes in cervical mucus and body temperature as taught in Natural Family Planning can accurately identify the time of ovulation. He cited a World Health Organization study of 869 women of proven fertility in five centers (Auckland, Bangalore, Dublin, Manila, and San Miguel, El Salvador) showing that regardless of culture and education 93% of the women – even those who were illiterate — could recognize the mucus symptoms. “The probability of conception from intercourse outside the period of fertility defined by cervical mucus observation was 0.0004.”

Another study of 19,843 poor women of Calcutta found a failure rate for Natural Family Planning similar to that of the combined contraceptive pill (less than 2%). In closing his article Dr. Ryder wrote: “There is no doubt that it would be more efficient for the ongoing world debate on overpopulation, resources, environment, poverty and health to be conducted against a background of truth rather than fallacy. It is therefore important that the misconception that Catholicism is synonymous with ineffective birth control is laid to rest.”

One has only to Google any contraceptive medication to learn about their myriad complications and side-effects and realize they are all harmful to normal female functioning. (Dr. Herbert Ratner has called it chemical warfare against women!) A woman on the Pill can be a paying customer for 30 years. Doctor, pharmacist, and drug company all profit all that time. Unfortunately, nature has no lobby.

I went to this NFP meeting because I had heard that nowadays the NFP people have a new “one rule” which makes it easier to determine a woman’s fertile and infertile periods. Yes, there are still charts to keep (at least until you are well acquainted with how your particular body functions), temperatures to take, and mucus and cervical signs to record. The new rule is more about looking at the whole picture rather than any particular bodily indicator. For particulars, two resource sites might be helpful.

I was particularly intrigued by the wonders of cervical mucus. Who would have known? It turns out that there are various kinds of cervical mucus at various times during a woman’s cycle, some dense and unwelcoming, but there is a “slippery and stretchy mucus,” resembling raw egg white, in which the sperm can live for 2 to 3 days while waiting for a fertilized egg to arrive. Microscopically, it forms string-like channels and provides transport (‘swimming lanes’) for sperm cells. It produces a “wet, lubricative sensation at the vulva.”

I have read that the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s order) have been able to teach effective natural birth control in India relying primarily on the mucus factor. As I recall, the instruction went something like this: Moisture makes babies grow; dryness prevents growth. (I don’t remember the exact words, but you get the idea.) There has been no more ardent advocate for natural family planning than Mother Teresa.

Who would think I would one day write a blog post on the marvels of mucus? Swimming channels for sperm in women’s cervical mucus! How much more accommodating could we get?

Surely, we are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Protected sex doesn't protect mental status

More proof that sex was meant by God to procreate and bond as husband and wife. Barriers are needed in a culture of promiscuity. Barriers are bad within marriage. To protect against pregnancy, the result of the marital act, barriers are necessary. Research proves what we already know as true.

By Hilary White

PAISLEY, Scotland, August 4, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Research from Scotland finding that heterosexual sex without using condoms is more likely to make people happy than "safe sex" with condoms, has stirred controversy among "sexual health" campaigners. The lead researcher wrote of the survey respondents, "The more often they have sex without condoms, the better their mental health."

In the study, titled, "Condom Use for Penile-Vaginal Intercourse is Associated with Immature Psychological Defense Mechanisms," Professor Stuart Brody of the University of the West of Scotland in Paisley gave questionnaires to 111 Portuguese men and 99 women asking questions about their sex lives and their state of mind over a period of one month. The findings are to be published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behaviour.

The study's abstract gives the purpose as the examination of a hypothesis put forward by Sigmund Freud, "that use of immature psychological defense mechanisms correlates directly with frequency of condom use during PVI, but inversely with frequency of PVI [penile-vaginal intercourse] without condoms."

The survey found that "frequency of PVI with condoms correlated directly with use of immature defenses," according to a standard test of psychological reactions. It also found that "immature defenses" were associated with masturbation in both sexes. In general, the study concluded that condom use during PVI is associated with "psychological immaturity and predisposition to poorer mental health," including depression and suicidal tendencies.

Brody wrote, "The more often they have sex without condoms, the better their mental health." His findings suggest that condom use negates the mental health benefits of what he called "evolutionarily relevant sex." He theorized that there is a direct biochemical response in natural heterosexual relations that is blocked by condoms.

Brody wrote in the study, "Possible explanations for the interference of condoms with the health benefits of PVI include blocking of antidepressant and immunological agents in semen and genital secretions, reduced sexual satisfaction and intimacy, and psychopathology-prone persons who are more psychologically immature and/or heterosocially anxious being more likely to use condoms for PVI."

In an interview with the UK's Independent newspaper, Brody responded to criticisms from sex-campaigners at the Family Planning Association that his findings, if they were acted upon, would result in increases in sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies.

"I have an interest in the best possible science," he said. "I don't want to let anything get in the way, whether its political correctness, or religion. I have deliberately not used the term 'heterosexual sex'," he said.

"Evolution is not politically correct, so of the very broad range of potential sexual behaviour, there is actually only one that is consistently associated with better physical and mental health and that is the one sexual behaviour that would be favoured by evolution. That is not accidental."

In 2007, Brody angered homosexualist activists in the UK when he published research that found intercourse between men and women is the only form of sexual behaviour that improves "psychological and physiological function." He found that levels of prolactin, the hormone that provides the body with sexual gratification, were 400 percent higher among male and female couples who had heterosexual intercourse than those engaging in other forms of sex.

Peter Tatchell, one of Britain's leading homosexualist spokesmen, called the research "unscientific and extreme" and said it contradicted other studies by the US sex researchers Masters and Johnson. Tatchell said, "Brody's is an extreme and disparaging stance to adopt and he seems to have an ideological agenda to promote conventional heterosexual intercourse."

Brody responded at the time, "The radical left wants sex research done, but only if the results are politically acceptable to them."

Brody's previous work has also criticized the disinformation commonly promulgated in the media about the transmission of AIDS among the general population and warned that political correctness has seriously muddied the issues.

His 1997 book "Sex at Risk: Lifetime number of partners, frequency of intercourse and low AIDS risk of vaginal intercourse," concluded that "ideological knowledge" about AIDS, that asserts that heterosexuals are at equal risk of contracting the disease as active homosexuals, is more prevalent in society than evidence-based scientific knowledge gained from objective research. One reviewer called the book a "succinct indictment of people who have conflated politics and science in setting AIDS policy over the past 15 years."

Natural Family Planning's Most Recent Effectiveness Study

My son texted me from his freshman health class at Danbury High today. He quoted me the "effectiveness" of NFP according to his health teacher's handout. From Guttmacher no doubt.

The following is the best research to date.

The most recent research from 2007 is found in the scholarly journal Human Reproduction by Drs. Petra Frank-Herrmann and J. Heil, entitled, The Effectiveness of a Fertility Awareness Based Method to Avoid Pregnancy in Relation to a Couple’s Sexual Behaviour during the Fertile Time: a Prospective Longitudinal Study. Human Reproduction, pp.1-10, 2007.

http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/dem003v1

This study reports both perfect use and typical use unintended pregnancies with an effectiveness rate of 99.6% and 92.5% respectively.

But my son's health teacher will take the 'effectiveness' study from the Guttmacher Institute, the research arm of Planned Parenthood. Or at least their handouts are informed by Guttmacher. Not only is it biased, it is a 14 year old study which defined 'periodic abstinence' as the rhythm and other 'calendar' methods. These methods are obsolete, and have been discouraged in favor of the most recent methods, and simply have not been formally taught for over 30 years.

And this week, a rep from PP will visit their class. Maybe I should volunteer my services for the other side of the debate.

A call to celebrate and reverence God’s vision of human sexuality

Natural Family Planning Awareness Week highlights the anniversary of the papal encyclical Humanae Vitae (July 25) which articulates Catholic beliefs about human sexuality, conjugal love and responsible parenthood along with the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne (July 26), the parents of the Blessed Mother.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's landmark encyclical.

For those in the NY tri-state area,visit St. Mary Church in Norwalk, CT on Friday July 25 at 6:30 PM for a High Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite followed by a visit by Msgr. William Smith, Moral Theology Professor, St. Joseph Seminary Dunwoodie, who will speak on "Humanae Vitae: 40 years later."

Mass is offered in reparation for sins committed against the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Fr. Frank just called our house!

We were sitting around playing a family game of Guitar Hero (it was my turn!) when the phone rang. My husband took the call, and after a few seconds urged us, "Turn off the game! Fr. Frank Pavone is coming on the phone!" As he hands me the phone, I say incredulously, "Aww, it's probably just a taped message." On the other end of the phone, just silence, and now I know it's just a solicitation. Then a voice, and it's not recorded- it was Fr. Frank Pavone-live and in person!

It was the strangest thing, but to any pro-lifer, Fr. Pavone is a celebrity! I felt my face grow hot, and I knew I was turning red. We're the type of family that never wins anything, not even $20 a 50/50 raffle!

I gathered my wits and tried to think of something to say. "This is certainly unexpected!" I said. Fr. Frank was his gentle self, and explained that he was making calls to supporters of Priests for Life to thank us. Sounded good to me!

We talked about his latest visit to Stamford, Fr. Frank commented on how well it was publicized. Of course, I had to mention that we are parishioners of St. Mary Church in Norwalk, the hub of pro-life in the Diocese of Bridgeport, thanks to Fr. Markey!

Moving on to business, Fr. Frank and I talked shop. I told him that Kevin and I are an NFP Teaching Couple. With this year being the 40th anniversary of the encyclical Humanae Vitae,Priests for Life is focusing on how an understanding of Natural Family Planning , as respect for the source of life, is the key to ending abortion. This is a year long project at Priests for Life, which began July 2007, and will culminate with the anniversary on July 25, 2008.

There is lots of great info on the Priests for Life page called Abortion, Contraception, Natural Family Planning, Humanae Vitae.

We ended our conversation with a promise to pray for each other and our needs, and we said goodbye.

You just never know who's going to be on the other end of the phone!

NFP vs. Contraception

Created completely by Seminarians from the Diocese of Lansing and Saginaw (and friends), this and two other videos shot as a spin-off on the popular Mac vs. PC commercials, have had over 9,000 YouTube hits in the past 6 days.

This clip was shot on July 26. As those of you who are NFP-ers know, that date is the anniversary of Humanae Vitae and part of our NFP Week commemoration.

We are grateful for enthusiastic and evangelical seminarians who will be the catalyst to our New Pentecost!

Visit YouTube to view two others in their series.