The first reason is that it's time for an update. While we have continually improved the teaching program with new information or studies as they became available, we've been using basically the same course for many years. 

A second reason is that we have seen a marked change in our audience, that is, the couples who attend our NFP class series. Twenty, or even 10 years ago, the classes were largely made up of married couples who were seeking NFP information on their own because they already had a commitment to living out the teachings of the Church. Now, our classes have many more engaged couples than in the past and some of them are attending solely because of a marriage preparation requirement. While that is good news in many respects, it also means that our teachers have couples who may not really care to learn NFP, and some may already be using contraception or living together. This change in the class environment demands a change in the way we deliver our message, and Pope John Paul II has provided us the best means to reach out to these couples.

Somewhat related to our changing audience is the third reason we are updating our program, namely, we wanted to make it easier to learn and understand. Therefore, we examined our program from top to bottom to determine what information is necessary, what is helpful, and what is optional for learning the Sympto-Thermal Method. The result is a retooled method that is easier to learn and understand, yet still maintains a 99% level of effectiveness.

By creating a Supplemental Class on the Postpartum time, does that mean only those that attend it will receive information on ecological breastfeeding?

Not at all. We're actually creating supplemental classes on both the postpartum time and premenopause, and this decision was based on feedback from our Teaching Couples. What we are moving into supplemental classes is the very practical lessons on how to determine your fertility at these times of life. For example, the supplemental classes will answer questions such as: When after childbirth should I start taking my fertility observations? How do I handle patches of on-and-off mucus? What kind of cycle changes can I expect at the time of premenopause, and how do I approach my fertility observations at this time? Our teachers have found that spending time on the specifics of using NFP at these times to classes of largely engaged couples was not working well as these scenarios are not their immediate interest.

The topics of breastfeeding and premenopause will still be addressed in the regular series, much to the same extent they are now. Regarding ecological breastfeeding, it is mentioned in all of the classes of the new program, but is a focus of Class 3 where they will learn its specifics and its impact on the return of fertility. They will come to understand the difference between ecological breastfeeding and "restricted" breastfeeding, they'll hear the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby, and they'll learn that some couples are happy to space their family through breastfeeding alone.

So teaching about ecological breastfeeding and encouraging it remains part of the main class series, and what moves to the supplemental class is the practical application. The supplemental class reviews the above concepts from the main course, then moves on to the mechanics of fertility observation at this time, practice with interpreting charts from postpartum women, etc.

What is the target date for the new program?

Our goal is to ship new teaching materials to our existing Teaching Couples by the end of October 2006. Between now and then, we need to complete the pilot testing of the new course, make revisions and changes based on pilot feedback, and provide retraining for our existing teachers. At the same time, we are also developing a teacher training program based on the new method.

I want to contribute, but don't want a monthly payment. Can I make a one-time gift?

Absolutely. The pledge card is designed to give people options so they can select the method of donating that works best for them.