Question 158

How did Phoenix implement its marriage prep program which mandates a full course in NFP?

Dear Fr. Habiger,

I wanted to let you know that Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, Diocese of Phoenix, has written a letter to all US Bishops which included a copy of our new NFP video.

In it he urges his fellow bishops to use this critical teaching moment in our country’s history to bring a sharp focus in  highlighting Catholic teachings on human sexuality. 

He lets them know about our diocese’ Three Year Marriage Initiative which went into effect on Jan 1, 2010, mandating a full NFP course for all couples preparing for marriage in our diocese and the strategic plan that was used to put it into effect. The letter includes the link to a beautiful new webpage, Find Us Ready, Lord <http://www.diocesephoenix.org/find-us-ready.php> , which was designed to be a digital version of Bishop Olmsted’s letter and includes the strategic plan and supporting resources.  

Our department has received many phone calls from other dioceses asking us to share resources, provide information on how we made the changes, and what all our steps were. Being able to point them to all available resources will save them time and be something to which they can refer as they move towards implementing more robust NFP education in their own diocese. 

Bishop Olmsted is leading US Bishops in this area and we applaud all his efforts to share our diocese’  blessings with other dioceses. Feel free to share this link widely. 

http://www.diocesephoenix.org/find-us-ready.php

In His Service,
Cindy Leonard
Coordinator
Office of Natural Family Planning
Diocese of Phoenix
400 E. Monroe St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-354-2123
cleonard@diocesephoenix.org
nfp_admin@diocesephoenix.org
www.phxnfp.org

"The body itself speaks, ... by means of its masculinity and femininity. It speaks in the mysterious language of the personal gift...the body speaks the truth through fidelity and conjugal love.” ( JPII)