Franciscan Fertility Education and Support
June 2019 Newsletter
Upcoming Group Dates
Thursday, June 6 (6-7:30pm) Healthy Wives, Healthy Marriages

Tuesday, June 11 (9-10:30am) Embracing Motherhood

These are our last groups before we take a break for the summer! We will resume again in September with a change to the day and time of our Healthy Wives, Healthy Marriages group. See below for more details.
NEW! in the midst Infertility Support Series

Have you been experiencing infertility? Join us for a 3-session support series for couples struggling with the effects of both primary and secondary infertility. We encourage couples to attend all three sessions to process grief related to infertility and develop strategies to strengthen their marriage in the midst of such a difficult time.

October 7, 2019: Grief and Loss in the midst of Infertility

November 4, 2019: Strong Marriages in the midst of Infertility

December 2, 2019: Fruitfulness in the midst of Infertility

The series will be held at the Grand Rapids campus from 7pm to 9pm each evening. $65/couple for the series.

To register, please email Laura Chapin: lchapin@lifeprocesscenter.org
NEW! Introduction to Fertility Awareness Based Methods

Are you looking for basic information about Natural Family Planning, also known as a Fertility Awareness Based Method (FABM) of family planning? This introduction will cover the basics of how FABMs work and will highlight the differences between methods to help you choose the best fit for you! You will not learn the specifics of charting but will be able to make an informed decision when you select a course of instruction. This is a great option if you just want to learn more or need to fulfill an Introduction to NFP requirement for marriage preparation. $20/individual or $30/couple. Clergy interested in learning more about NFP may attend for free.

The Introduction to Fertility Awareness Based Methods will be held:
June 18 at 6:30pm at the Grand Rapids Campus
July 25 at 6:30pm at the Grand Rapids Campus

To register, please email Laura Chapin: lchapin@lifeprocesscenter.org
Fertility Education Survey Coming Soon

We will be sending out a short survey in the upcoming weeks and we need your input! We want to make sure our groups and classes are meeting your needs so please take a few moments to respond. We hope you will provide open and honest feedback about what you've liked and how we can improve. We truly appreciate your time and assistance.
Group Updates for Fall 2019

Healthy Wives, Healthy Marriages will now be called Strong Wives, Strong Marriages and will be held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 9-10:30am beginning September 17, 2019.

Embracing Motherhood will continue to be held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 9-10:30am beginning September 10, 2019.

Our Embracing Motherhood group is ideal for women with a child under one year of age (even if you also have others who are older!). Once your child is out of that age range, you can transition to the Strong Wives, Strong Marriages group. Women are welcome to attend both groups, if desired.
Have you been curious about the groups but aren't sure what to expect? Each session will be focused on a particular topic, with plenty of opportunities for group members to discuss their current concerns, struggles, and victories. We also hope participants will build meaningful connections with other women in the community. 

Future group topics will include:
Embracing Motherhood:

  • Attachment in infancy
  • Postpartum Depression
  • Establishing sleep routines
  • Changes in relationships with spouse, family and friends
  • Postpartum physical health
  • Sacrificial love
  • Communication with spouse and family
  • Balancing the demands of work and home
Strong Wives, Strong Marriages:

  • Strengthening intimacy
  • Different aspects of our identity
  • Infertility
  • Discerning when to avoid or achieve pregnancy
  • Being intentional in your marriage
  • Communication
  • Managing changes in fertility such as postpartum and approaching menopause
Upcoming NFP Class Dates
Creighton Model FertilityCARE
Intro Sessions

June 12 (Lowell)
August 19 (Grand Rapids)
SymptoPro
3-Session Classes

October 1, 15, 29
(Grand Rapids)
Books and Resources Discussed in Recent Groups

In this section, we'll send out any resources or specifics we mentioned in group, in case you weren't able to write them down!

Theology of the Body Resources
Holy Sex! by Gregory Popcak
Called to Love by Carl Anderson
Men and Women are from Eden by Mary Healy
These Beautiful Bones by Emily Stimpson

Theology of the Body Board Books for Toddlers: https://tobet.org/product/tob-tots/

Help us spread the word about the Franciscan Fertility Education and Support program. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you think may enjoy it. You can encourage your friends to subscribe on their own, and they can find the link to sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of our website: Franciscan Fertility Education and Support