Archive for 2014

NFP International Needs Help

Sunday, December 28th, 2014

There’s no question: NFP International needs help. So if you think that NFP International is an organization that uniquely serves the Church and anyone who is interested, please read on….

First, in NFP International we are not just teaching cheap and natural birth control. Not at all. We are unique in teaching ecological breastfeeding, the kind of breastfeeding that maximizes all the dose-related benefits of breastfeeding and also provides, on average, 14 to 15 months of breastfeeding amenorrhea and infertility. Couples who adopt ecological breastfeeding will probably save at least $1,000 with each baby by not using formula and special baby foods, and their babies will most likely experience better health.

Second, we teach all the common signs of fertility and infertility so that user couples can decide which ones they want to use. We teach all of this in the context of the Catholic Tradition of Christian discipleship. We can’t force this on anyone, but we think it’s important to see the meaning that God has built into the marriage act—that it ought to be a renewal of your marriage covenant, and we are unique in that teaching. We may also be unique in allowing our manual to be downloaded for free for the poor. For others a $10 donation is requested.

Considering the contemporary culture, we think our effort to place the whole issue of birth control and sexuality in the context of religion and morality is very important for the welfare of Western culture. We think President George Washington was correct when he said in his 1796 Farewell Address, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

So I ask for your support. Please pray for the advancement of the NFPI mission. This effort is an apostolate, and it needs your prayers.

Please help us financially. Please realize that nothing is really cost-free. The only way we can keep offering free downloads for the poor is if the non-poor contribute to that effort. So, if you appreciate what NFP International is doing, please help us. We would not be asking for this support if we did not really need it. Anything and everything helps. No gift is too small. Gifts of $25 and $50 and $100 are very helpful, but so are gifts of $10 and $5 as well. Every gift carries the message, “Carry on!”

To support NFPI, please click here http://www.nfpandmore.org/missionhelp.shtml or go to www.nfpandmore.org and click on the PLEASE DONATE button in the left-hand column. Or send a check payable to NFPI to the address at “please donate.”

May God bless you and your loved ones in a special way this Christmas season,

John F. Kippley
President

NFP International is a 501-c-3 not-for-profit organization. All gifts are tax deductible.

 

Jesus is Born in Bethlehem

Sunday, December 21st, 2014
The angels announced the birth of the Savior as “good news of great joy.”  In taking on our human nature, God the Son poured himself out for us, and from this we learn that joy comes from the giving of self.  Another message of the angels is that joy comes from personal acceptance of Jesus as our Savior.  The proud can never experience this joy, for they refuse to admit their need for salvation; or they pursue a futile quest for joy in pleasures and possessions. We give thanks that the Son of God came to save us.Our Father
1. [While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem for the census,] the time came for her delivery.
Hail Mary
2. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes.
Hail Mary
3. She laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
Hail Mary
4. There were shepherds in the same region, living in the fields and keeping watch over their flocks at night.
Hail Mary
5. And behold, an angel of the Lord came to them, and the glory of God shone round about them, and they were very much afraid.
Hail Mary
6. The angel said to them: “Do not be afraid for I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all the people.
Hail Mary
7. “Today in the town of David there has been born to you a Savior who is Christ the Lord;
Hail Mary
8. “And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
Hail Mary
9.  Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God,
Hail Mary
10. And saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will.”
Hail Mary
Glory be
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Reference: Luke 2:1-14

The Seven Day Bible Rosary

Every year we use the Nativity decade above from The Seven Day Bible Rosary for the week of Christmas.  Here are some comments John received this year for this book.

The Seven Day Bible Rosary has brought such freshness and insight to my life.

The Scripture references that are applied to each station have been ideal for meditation and even useful in apologetics.

I lead the rosary at weekly Mass and The Seven Day Bible Rosary provides an incredible dynamic when reciting the Rosary, by painting a clear picture of the highlights of each mystery.

We have been praying The Seven Day Bible Rosary daily.  We love it! And it has transformed my life!

I enjoy using this book.  Most times I had problems with meditation until now.  Thank you.

The Seven Day Bible Rosary by John F. Kippley is available for $5; 3 for $12; 5 for $15 including shipping.  It is a great little gift and can be easily included in a card envelope for birthdays, confirmation, hospitality, ordinations, a special thanks, etc.

 

6. Natural Family Planning: The Diocese of XYZ Now and 20 Years from Now

Sunday, December 14th, 2014

Vision Now + 20 describes a plan that can be applied to one diocese and/or the entire country.  It may not be the best plan; it may not be the only plan; but at least it is a plan that invites the Ordinary and his priests to look forward and envision what they would like the diocese to look like 20 years from now.

There are no overnight, one-year, or five-year plans to accomplish the needed changes, although anything might be better than nothing.  The first few years may be slow.  Priests will have to become convinced that it is an act of true love on their part to require engaged couples to learn about ecological breastfeeding.  They will need to learn how great are the benefits of breastfeeding to mothers as well as to their babies, and they will need to understand that it truly is possible for mothers and babies to have this experience today.  They need to become convinced of the value of letting couples learn the options among the signs of fertility so that they can make well informed choices.

A network of Teaching Couples will take some years to develop.  In urban areas, one TC per deanery may be the first goal, and in rural areas it may take a few years to reach the goal of one TC per county.  It is possible that in the early years more couples will learn via the NFPI Home Study Course than in face-to-face classes.  Regardless, in each case, the parish priest can evangelize by using the NFPI manual to teach Catholic doctrine about love, marriage, sexuality and the promised guidance of the Holy Spirit that directs these teachings.

In 2014, the Church throughout the world and in every diocese is now at Humanae Vitae + 46 years.  In many dioceses and parishes the situation of marital chastity leaves much to be desired.  This proposal is to make each diocese and parish more fully Catholic in 20 years.

The sought-for goal is not the perfection of 100% faithful practice of marital chastity in every parish.  Rather, it is the more modest goal of seeking that 66% level of marital chastity that marked Catholic life prior to the Pill-induced confusion of the early Sixties and the dissent following the promulgation of Humanae Vitae in 1968.

That goal is attainable with God’s grace, but it also requires the sort of organized effort herein proposed.  The grace of God has not been absent for these past 46 years, but the sort of cooperation between the hierarchy and the laity called for by Vatican II and this proposal needs to be refreshed.

The result will be dioceses and parishes that more fully radiate the love and care and inherent attraction of the Lord Jesus.

NFP International seeks the participation of those who share this vision.

John F. Kippley (September 2014)