PALM BEACH GARDENS | What is Natural Family Planning? Many couples have asked this question upon learning that the Diocese of Palm Beach is celebrating Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Week, July 25-31, 2021. Although the actual theology behind and practice of NFP go beyond a simple answer, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops provided a statement that, for many couples, has become a jumping off point into a deep sea of knowledge and resources regarding NFP:
“Natural Family Planning is the general title for the scientific, natural and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or postpone pregnancy. NFP methods are based on the observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy. Since the methods of NFP respect thelove-giving(unitive) and life-giving (procreative) nature of the conjugal act, they support God’s design for married love.”
In preparation for Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, the Florida Catholic interviewed Jameson and Sara Pietrowski, a couple from St. Patrick Parish in Palm Beach Gardens who were married in 2019 and practice Natural Family Planning. Jameson is a software and flight operations engineer and Sara is a registered nurse and has experience with electronic health record companies. Sara is also studying to become a Marquette method instructor in the Diocese of Palm Beach, which is just one of the many NFP methods available to couples seeking alternatives to contraception.
In the interview that follows, Sara and Jameson share some of the joys and the challenges of their NFP journey, which began before they even started dating. The couple is now expecting their first child in November and are grateful that the charting process of NFP helped them overcome fertility issues.
To read the full Florida Catholic Media interview, click here.
