Pre-Cana/NFP

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keith2002

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I could use some help please…

I am giving a presentation to a diocese education event on communicating the message of NFP to engaged couples. One of the issues we have is that there isn’t a lot of statistical information about sponsor couples, who they are and what they believe and follow.

My experience tells me that most sponsor couples DO NOT follow the church teaching on contraception. For example numbers that I have seen say that in Catholic population at large about 85 to 90% use contraception (my experience says that is higher). So if were are to consider sponsor couples, I would say that a lesser percentage practice contraception than the population at large. But how much less. For example our parish has about 8 couples involved in pre-cana an my wife and I (maybe another couple) are the only ones who use NFP.

So I am asking what are your experiences about this issue?

Keith
 
Same boat, my husband and I do a talk on NFP. I really don’t know about the other sponsering couples.
 
We know that the teaching of NFP is a very hot and emotional topic. The Couples for Christ (CFC) conducts a Marriage Prepration Program and one of the teachings is on NFP. For more information please contact the CFC Area Leaders for your individual states. www.couplesforchrist.us

If you have any questions, please contact me.
 
Evangelize on this wherever you are. Just give your presentation to the diocese (I wonder how many people Janet Smith “converts” every time she talks?

In your parish, why not call a meeting of your sponsor couples and share with them the wealth of this beautiful teaching before you let them loose on the unsuspecting engaged couples.

Of course, everybody (sponsors & engaged couples) should receive a copy of Smith’s tape: “Contraception: Why not?” and Christopher West’s Good News about Sex and Marriage.
 
In our parish, we have conversation breakers/games in which there is a little prize. I was thinking of purchasing a book and make it the prize.
 
I need to point out that I saw one survey that had the 85-90% at one point. It was basically a question that asked Catholics if contraception was wrong in all cases. Given the sad state of catechisis these days it is not surprising that many would say no. **It doesn’t follow that every one of those that answered this way used contraception. ** (Although I imagine the number is quite high). I could be wrong about this, but I would suggest being careful about throwing around the 85%-90% number without a specific study citation and consideration of what exactly was studied and how they arrived at that number.

Scott
 
I don’t have it in front of me right now (it’s on my computer somewhere) but in 1996 there was a government study done that showed about 3 to 4 percent of Catholic couples use NFP. This of course does not count those who are using nothing or don’t need anything because they cannout conceive.
 
I have tried to get NFP presented as part of the pre-cana training at our parish to no avail. I couldn’t even find mention of it in the book I saw. My husband and I are not a sponsor couple, but I am on the parish council. I doubt that we would be welcome as sponsors since we use NFP and would promote it. I know of no other couples in my parish that use it. It’s a sad state of affairs. Good Luck. My prayers are with you.
 
One way to find other NFP couples is through CCL. You can find teaching couples or promoters by calling or visiting their web site (for promoters you may have to call).

You may think no one uses NFP in your parish, but in my experience, I’ll bet you are wrong. 🙂

I can understand the frustration. There are so many misconceptions about NFP. In my diocese, a full course of NFP is required, but even then not all parishes require it. It will take some witnessing and teaching and prayer to spread the word.
 
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keith2002:
My experience tells me that most sponsor couples DO NOT follow the church teaching on contraception. For example numbers that I have seen say that in Catholic population at large about 85 to 90% use contraception (my experience says that is higher). So if were are to consider sponsor couples, I would say that a lesser percentage practice contraception than the population at large. But how much less. For example our parish has about 8 couples involved in pre-cana an my wife and I (maybe another couple) are the only ones who use NFP.
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Dear Keith,

I, for one, don’t buy all the Church teaches about contraception, even after several people tried to help me “understand” it better in another thread of over 300 posts.

That said, I would never act as a presenter or sponsor in an official Church related activity and espouse opinions I know to be contrary to Church teachings. In our diocese those who put on educational programs and other activities that use Church resources will soon be required to sign some sort of statement (I haven’t seen it yet) that they agree to adhere to all Church teachings in their presentations. I see this as a good thing. I consider dissent and debate good and healthy, but when speaking in the name of the Church one must speak her teachings or we have nothing.

Personally I haven’t been involved in Pre-Cana, so I don’t know the exact format, but if you have sponsoring couples who don’t believe in the Church’s teachings, I suggest it be made clear to them that they are not to go against the Church in front of “innocent” couples. They can come on a forum like this one and debate the Church teachings if they want, but if they knowlingly destroy the credibility of the Church to participants who have not signed up to hear personal debate against Catholic teachings, they may literally have hell to pay for it. If they cannot conceal their doubts for the duration of their presentations, they have no business putting them on.

Alan
 
“One of the issues we have is that there isn’t a lot of statistical information about sponsor couples, who they are and what they believe and follow.”

keith2002, do you have enough time before your presentation to organize an anonymous survey of the sponsor couples in your diocese? That would be ideal, although time-consuming.

My (now) husband and I attended an Engaged Encounter retreat weekend two years ago for our pre-Cana instructions. We thought we would be receiving authentic Church teaching with regards to sexuality; sadly, we were wrong.

No matter who the audience is, whether an 8th grade CCD class, RCIA candidates, or engaged couples, those who have stepped forward to present the Church’s teachings to them have an obligation to teach the truth–the whole truth–and not preface it by saying, “I don’t personally happen to believe this, but…”

As AlanfromWichita has said, there are other times and places for doing so.
 
As far as a survey is concerned, I wouln’t have any trouble getting one together and could even distribute it on the web. My issue would be to find a way to get this out to people to take. I’ll give that some thought. Thanks

Keith
 
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keith2002:
As far as a survey is concerned, I wouln’t have any trouble getting one together and could even distribute it on the web. My issue would be to find a way to get this out to people to take. I’ll give that some thought. Thanks

Keith
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Keith, I would be glad to distribute a survey like this at my parish. We are in the same diocese. And, I also know the pro-life representative for the Diocese. I will be seeing her next week. She may have some information for you or be willing to help. Let me know!! 🙂
 
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AlanFromWichita:
Dear Keith,

That said, I would never act as a presenter or sponsor in an official Church related activity and espouse opinions I know to be contrary to Church teachings…if you have sponsoring couples who don’t believe in the Church’s teachings, I suggest it be made clear to them that they are not to go against the Church in front of “innocent” couples. They can come on a forum like this one and debate the Church teachings if they want, but if they knowlingly destroy the credibility of the Church to participants who have not signed up to hear personal debate against Catholic teachings, they may literally have hell to pay for it. If they cannot conceal their doubts for the duration of their presentations, they have no business putting them on.

Alan
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Well stated!..you are to be respected for this. 👍
 
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