We Can Do This—Together!

At a recent screening of the film Unprotected, I was invited by the film’s producer, Don Johnson, to participate with him in a Q&A session afterwards. One of the questions I was asked by a sincere audience member, was “Why don’t more people know more about NFP? Why don’t we hear more about it?’

I think I paused a moment before responding, not because I could not think of an answer, but because I could think of so many—ALL of them unacceptable and sources of great frustration! Much of it comes down to $$$—contraceptive devices and pharmaceuticals are big business! You cannot watch an evening of TV without seeing a commercial for one—the most recent a very annoying display of women dancing with glee because they are hormone free! NOT because they have realized that fertility is a normal and healthy process they can understand, respect, and integrate naturally, but because the foreign object their doctor inserted into their uterus (a particular IUD) does not contain hormones.

Two generations of women have grown up with contraception as the norm, and it is accepted–despite the contraindications to health, relationships, and faith—as a necessity.

25 years ago, one person, who saw the need for change and wanted to make a difference was joined by like minded people who thought “if not me, who”—-and CANFP was born. The recent national HV50 conference introduced our unique gem of an association to a national audience. But we have been making a difference for 25 years in California–forming clergy and seminarians, supporting NFP teachers, soliciting NFP only physicians, educating through speakers and exhibits around the state, producing resources, consulting with parish/diocesan staff, responding to thousands of questions submitted over our website, and probably just as many phone inquiries.

For those who have become involved using, advocating, or teaching NFP in the last 25 years, it can be easy to take this resource for granted, as it has just always been there—educating, advocating, uniting. Because of CANFP, there is a central resource for all NFP in California, all methods, all interested people. That is not something we can take for granted.

As I was watching that silly commercial, with the ladies dancing with glee to be hormone free, I could not help but think…

What if a TV ad depicted women who TRULY are, hormone and device free!?

What if there were billboards along California’s 101, 5, and 1, letting couples know there are infertility services available to them that are MORE effective then IVF, and less costly, while respecting the marital union and value of every life?

What if every seminarian in California had a course in modern NFP?

What if every priest in California attended a diocesan priest study day on the topic of NFP?

What if every engaged couple preparing for marriage in the Catholic Church in California was introduced to NFP by someone who uses or teaches it?

Are these realistic goals? Not for me….or you…individually. But together — absolutely!

We can become discouraged when we are dismissed or marginalized, and our individual efforts are thwarted by gatekeepers who do not share the same vision of marriage and sexuality. We can look at the hill we have to climb, and content ourselves with just “being there” for the occasional pebble that rolls into our lap.

Or, we can join hands, unite our strengths, pool our resources, contribute our talents and gifts, and climb that mountain together, sharing the good news of NFP all along the way.

Be part of the solution. Be a CANFP member and supporter. Then put on your hiking boots, and together let’s climb that mountain and be a force for change. Call me! Let’s talk!