NFP News Feed
NFP Program, USCCB | November 2019 | Vol. 1, No. 1

 DIRECTOR'S DESK

Dear Diocesan NFP Coordinators,

Warm fall greetings from the USCCB Natural Family Planning Program!

As you know, Natural Family Planning (NFP) ministry exists in the Catholic dioceses as part of the Church's pastoral care of married men and women. The goal of this work is to help husbands and wives understand, accept, cherish, and honor God's gifts of love and life.

We are excited to share with you this NFP News Feed , a newsletter specifically designed for diocesan NFP staff. It will provide USCCB updates, upcoming NFP events, resources, and items of interest. We hope to send this to you quarterly.

Please take a look and let us know if you have any questions or suggestions. We look forward to your feedback!

Please know that you, your families, and your ministry are in our prayers. Thank you for all you do in service of God's plan for married couples!

Theresa Notare, PhD
Assistant Director
Natural Family Planning Program
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th St., N. E.
Washington, DC 20017
202-541-3240
nfp@usccb.org
NFP Announcements
2020 National NFP Awareness Week   is July 19-25. If you would like to send in suggestions for a theme, write us at nfp@usccb.org. Please see NFP Awareness Week page for examples of past slogans and resources ( www.usccb.nfp/awareness-week/index.cfm ).

BOMA-USA reports sad news: Dr. Erik Odeblad of Sweden died on October 17, 2019. Dr. Odeblad was a friend and worked closely with Drs. John and Lyn Billings. Odeblad is best known for his remarkable discoveries of the properties of cervical mucus. May the Lord God bless Dr. Odeblad and may he rest in peace!

Exciting news! After over eight years with the USCCB/NFP Program, staff assistant, Madeline Watkins is taking a new position in November at the USCCB. Madeline will be Program Coordinator for the Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees, and People on the Move. To this important work, Madeline will bring her passion for marriage and the family as designed by God. We are grateful for her contribution to the bishops' NFP ministry and wish her every blessing!
Upcoming NFP Events
BOMA-USA holds educational quarterly webinars for all (non-members pay a fee of $40.00). Nov. 5 features Joe Stanford, MD speaking on the importance of NFP effectiveness studies. For further information, see https://www.boma-usa.org/non-members-webinar-registration.html .

Family of the Americas teacher training in the Diocese of Wichita. This three-day teacher training is in the cervical mucus method. To register, contact Martina Holmes, martina.nfp@gmail.com; 1-316-833-3333. Additional information, Becky Knapp, Diocese of Wichita, Program Coordinator of NFP, Office of Marriage & Family Life, 1-316-685-5240; https://catholicdioceseofwichita.org.

The American Academy of Fertility Care Professionals will hold their 2020 meeting in Clayton, MO on July 22-25. See their website here to learn more.

Please send us information about your NFP events. We will feature them in this newsletter and post them here to share on the USCCB website!
NFP Resources
Did you know that the USCCB NFP Program published social media files and web art for all to use during National NFP Week?

If you missed a summer email announcing the files, you can find them on the USCCB website here .

Remember to order your copy of Humanae Vitae, 50 Years Later, Embracing God's Vision for Marriage, Love, and Life: A Compendium from The CUA Press. This book contains the papers delivered at the historic 2018 Humanae vitae symposium held at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Orders, 1-800-537-5487.

Science Briefs
NOTE: If you have been looking for Current Medical Research on the USCCB website, past issues up to 2017 are posted here. We are in the process of finding a new editor and do not have 2018 or 2019 issues. Thank you for your patience!
It is well established that hormonal contraception has many negative side effects for women and girls. Here is a new study confirming the link to depression .
Articles of Interest
Spiritual Ministry in Catholic Health Care The CARA Report (Fall 2019, Vol. 25, No. 2) features a summary of a study called "Maintaining the Spiritual Ministry in Catholic Health Care." ( Health Progress, Sept-Oct 2019, vol. 100, #5, 59-63 ). The study notes that the majority of Catholic spiritual care workers are lay women who provide patient and family care services. This group of lay ministers face many challenges and may prove to be a source of collaboration between NFP providers and Catholic hospitals.
Read about the impact of lead on fertility: Fertility and Toxicity

Check out this article on work, economic policy, and the impact on family and fertility: The Dangers of Workism
Cycle Tips and Women's Reproductive Health
See the interesting article on the FACTS website "Fertility Awareness in PCOS: A Choice Aligned with Future Goals" by Kaitlyn Hite, MD (September 18, 2019). While you are there, consider joining at www.factsaboutfertility.org/join .
Just for Fun
Couple to Couple League (CCL) has found a way to bring a smile to your face. See their "20 of our best NFP memes (so far)" . While you are on CCL's website, consider subscribing to their magazine, Family Foundations.
Take an NFP Challenge!
Call a diocesan NFP coordinator that you don't know to learn about recruiting NFP teachers. Find the email in our on-line directory here . Send in your findings, and we will share!