Pastor's Notes for October 21

Dear Parishioners,
Our prayers to Mike and Annette Rohlik as they and six others profess vows as third order Franciscans Sunday afternoon. May the Lord bless their commitment.
This last week, I attended Pastoral Leader Days. Our topic was on Natural Family Planning from a variety of perspectives: theological, medical, pastoral, and practical. I came away from the conference even more convinced of the tremendous blessing of the current methods of Natural Family Planning. The doctors pointed out the dichotomy of outcry against men taking anabolic steroids for sports performance, and yet defense of prescribing the Pill. They reminded us that the artificial hormones found in the Pill have been classified as Class I carcinogens by the American Cancer Society and the World Health Organization. The doctors all stated that in their training, they were taught more about the various uses of the Pill than being encouraged to look into root causes. They also shared that there are 24 studies about the Pill and breast cancer, 23 of which demonstrate a strong correlation, with only one suggesting no connection. Instead of pumping a woman's body with artificial hormones, NFP teaches couples the signs of mutual signs of fertility, and if a couple has reason for delaying pregnancy, they can choose not to be active. The practicing couples shared their sacrifices in a candid manner, but also shared the great joy of knowing that they were following God's will for their lives. I knew both of the couples who were practicing NFP - I witnessed the marriage of one of them a number of years ago - and I know the true beauty of their lives and families. I again encourage every couple of child-bearing years to look into this life-affirming teaching of NFP. Ask me for information. I would also be very much interested in having a teaching couple in our area - if you are interested, speak with me, or give Sr. Candace Fier at the Diocese a call!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd