Questions & answers on sex and marriage sample

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Questions & Answers on Sex and Marriage Natural Fertility and Responsible Parenthood by Luton Good Counsel

All booklets are published thanks to the generous support of the members of the Catholic Truth Society

CATHOLIC TRUTH SOCIETY PUBLISHERS TO THE HOLY SEE

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Contents Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Natural Fertility Awareness Presentation . . . . . . . . . . .4 Questions and Answers on Sex and Marriage . . . . . . . .8 Natural Fertility Awareness in Practice . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Acknowledgements For their invaluable help and support in producing this presentation: Dr Evelyn L Billings AM, MBBS, DCH (Lond.) and Dr John Billings AM, KCSG, MD, FRACP, FRCP (Lond.); Dr Philip Boyle MA BCh BAO, DCH, D.Obs, MICGP, MRCGP; Greg Clovis BSc (Hons) and Aghi Clovis; Dr Mike Delany MB. BS, Diploma (Med Ethics), MA; Dr Clare Langley MRCS, MB ChB (Manc.) BSc (St. Andrews); Mrs Colleen Norman BA; Dr Charlie O’Donnell FRCP, DA, EDICM, FCEM; Dr Jenny Pfang MB BS (Lond); Mrs Veronica Pierson Dip. OM; Pamela Sims FRCS, FRCOG, Consultant Gynaecologist; Miss Nicole Syed RN, BSc, BPE, DipEd, FCP; Dr Paul Vooght MB BS (Lond); Rob Walters.

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FOREWORD This booklet and the DVD that accompanies it are intended to give basic information about Natural Fertility Awareness. The key word in that title is “awareness” since this is an area in which there is widespread ignorance and misunderstanding. These materials aim to provide insight into the whole question of fertility and information about how to plan or avoid conception through natural methods.

The context of this initiative is the teaching of the Catholic Church about marriage and sexuality, but that is not “private” teaching. Rather it constitutes a vision of human life and human love which will have a much wider interest and appeal. I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to this project and hope and pray that all who use it will find it a source of life and inspiration. ✙ Kevin McDonald, Archbishop of Southwark

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NATURAL FERTILITY AWARENESS PRESENTATION The origin of this programme was a desire expressed by the Most Rev. Kevin McDonald, Archbishop of Southwark, when he was Bishop of Northampton, to make the Church’s teaching more widely available in the Diocese. The central idea was to create a resource for Parishes which would be easy to use in, for example, marriage preparation. We hope it will also be useful in general adult education and for young people (16+). It needed to include both an explanation of the Church’s teaching and an outline of the practicalities. The outcome was the DVD (available from CTS), with Fr. David Barrett’s talk and the couples’ testimonies, and the PowerPoint presentation by Dr Clare Langley.

This programme is an introduction to Natural Fertility Awareness/Natural Family Planning (NFA/NFP) in the context of the Church’s teaching on marriage. It is not intended to be a comprehensive teaching on NFA/NFP. Its objectives are: ●

To enhance a couple’s awareness of the Church’s teaching on Marriage and the Family

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To increase their understanding of the science of their fertility, individually and as a couple

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To bear witness, by testimonies, to the unity and joy experienced by those who follow this way

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To encourage couples to seek instruction in one of the available methods of Natural Fertility Awareness in their married life.

For situations, such as courses of marriage preparation, when this presentation is given to a group of couples, we give below a suggested programme, together with some possible questions for discussion by the couples. The session should take approximately 1 1/2 hours. This subject is a very delicate area and should be approached with great sensitivity. It has been found that a relaxed, informal layout of a hall/meeting room, with say 2-3 couples sitting at each table and with refreshments available (even a glass of wine), can be an advantage.

Please ensure that you have enough booklets - we strongly advise that one is made available for each couple who attend the session. The ‘Resources List’ at the end of the booklet includes contact details to find a local teacher.

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Suggested timetable Refreshments Introduction

Before start time Start at agreed time.

Open with a prayer. 10 minutes Welcome everybody, introduce yourself and make a particular point of welcoming anyone unknown to you and to others. State objectives of the session.

30 minutes

Fr. David Barrett’s talk (DVD) Discussion

Each group to choose 1 10 - 15 minutes or 2 questions from the suggested list.

PowerPoint

15 minutes

Questions & Answers

10 - 20 minutes

Conclusion

Emphasise that the presentation is an introduction to Natural Fertility Awareness and that with individual instruction things which may seem difficult turn out to be simple and easy. Point out in the booklet’s Resources List the contact details for finding a local teacher.

Conclude the session with a prayer.

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Suggested questions for small group discussion 1. What does Fr. Barrett mean when he says that true love can have no conditions?

2. What do the couples mean by joint responsibility?

3. How does Fr. Barrett explain responsible parenthood?

4. What benefits does Natural Fertility Awareness bring to the couple?

5. Do you consider it important for a married couple to live in harmony with nature in matters of sexuality and procreation?