Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a general term for fertility awareness-based methods of family planning that are science-based, accurate, natural, healthy and effective. Please see below for more information on options to take for marriage preparation.

Engaged Couples

All engaged couples that prepare for marriage in the Diocese of Dallas starting in 2024* must take a full Natural Family Planning course with a certified instructor of their choice. For most couples this course will take a minimum of 6-8 weeks to complete, including an introductory session, individual charting of the woman’s cycle, and private instruction that takes place in 3-4 additional meetings during the eight weeks. Please note that in some cases it may take longer for a couple to complete the NFP course, and so it is very important to get started on this step as soon as possible, so as to complete it in time for the wedding. Each couple may work with a provider of their choice and should submit a completion certificate to STA

*Couples who began their preparation for marriage in 2023 should follow the guidelines in the checklist handed out at Marriage Orientation. Any of introductory classes listed below, including the convalidation option, will satisfy the NFP requirement for prepraration begun in 2023.

Below are some NFP course options to consider. Couples at may work with any certified NFP instuctor. Once you choose an option, please email Amy Northrop, Director of Catechesis for Marriage Preparation, with the name of your chosen provider and start date.

Creighton Model FertilityCare^TM System

St. Thomas Aquinas parish hosts information sessions for The Creighton Model FertilityCare^TM System which offers an empowering approach to women’s reproductive health care with many benefits:

• 96.8% effective in avoiding pregnancy.
• 40-80% effective in achieving pregnancy.
• It is safe from side effects, life-affirming, cost-effective, and clinically proven.
• Informs the shared responsibility for fertility regulation between spouses.
• Uncover the root cause of many female health issues including PMS and postpartum depression.

In-person introductory sessions take place bi-monthly in St. Marion Room at 7pm on first Tuesdays.

After the introductory session, the couple will attend 4 follow up sessions over the course of 8 weeks and pass an evaluation to receive a course completion certificate. The introductory course is included in the marriage preparation fee and can be taken at no additional cost. The cost for the 4 follow up sessions is $340, which can be paid via HSA or with credit card and is reimbursable from many health insurance plans. Scholarships are available through the parish upon request.
 SIGN-UP for Creighton Intro
Use "STAPrep" as your coupon code for payment.

To learn more about this option contact: 
Loren Carpenter, MS, FCP
FertilityCare Center FTW
[email protected]
214-717-7493

Catholic Women and Couples NFP

The Diocese of Dallas Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life has arranged free natural family planning (NFP) courses in English and Spanish via ZOOM through the Catholic Women and Couples NFP (CWCNFP) charitable foundation. This organization teaches the Billings Method at no charge to couples when at least one partner is Catholic,  and offers other methods at cost or with insurance benefits through MyCatholicDoctor.com.
After the introductory class, couples will meet privately with an instructor for several sessions during the next 8 weeks to learn more about charting the woman’s cycle.
Steps for signing up for this option:

1. Complete the intake form.
2. Choose your perferred date and watch the pre-class videos.

For more information, please contact:
Catholic Women & Couples NFP (English & Spanish)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cwcnfp.org
Phone: 1-888-899-8884

Convalidations

Couples preparing for convalidation starting in 2024 in the Diocese of Dallas are required to take an introduction to NFP course, and at the pastor’s discretion may be required to take the full course. Options to fulfill this requirement include any of the introductory sessions listed above for engaged couples or the following.

Introduction to the Billings Method

The Billings Ovulation Method^® teaches couples about their combined fertility. It is a shared method that enriches marriages. Neither the husband nor the wife take sole responsibility for family planning. With the emphasis on increased communication and appreciation for the gift of fertility, couples frequently comment on the Billings Method™ being one of the best kept secrets!
Virtual sessions take place bi-monthly on Wednesday at 7:30pm on Zoom. Upcoming sessions:
Wednesday, Oct 23

Questions?
contact
 AMY NORTHROP