CCL Convention Talks
Main Talks from the CCL Convention 2010
Special Address
Bishop Jean Laffitte, Secretary, Pontifical Council for the Family
A look at the work of the Pontifical Council for the Family and their special mission to strengthen marriage and family life.
Bishop Laffitte was born in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France in 1952, and entered the Pontifical French Seminary in Rome in 1984. He earned degrees in Theology and Philosophy in 1988, and was ordained a priest on July 2, 1989 for the Diocese of Autun, Chalon and Macon. He continued his studies at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, earning his doctorate in moral theology. He was appointed Vice-President of the Pontifical Academy for Life on January 24, 2006, and served in that capacity until being named the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Family on October 22, 2009.
Marriage-Love and Life in the Divine Plan
Bishop Ronald W. Gainer, Diocese of Lexington
An insightful and understandable summary of the latest pastoral letter on married love from the U.S. bishops.
Bishop Ronald William Gainer was ordained and installed as the second Bishop of Lexington, Kentucky on February 22, 2003. He implemented a policy mandating NFP instruction prior to marriage in the diocese on July 1, 2007.
Executive Director’s Address
Mike Manhart, Ph.D., CCL Executive Director
A look at the progress CCL has made since the 2008 convention, and a look forward at what lies ahead and the organization’s plans to grow.
After receiving his doctorate in Microbiology from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Dr. Manhart embarked on a career in Research & Development with Procter & Gamble. Concurrently, he and his wife served as volunteer CCL teachers for over 20 years. Michael also served on the Board of Directors for CCL from 2007 until assuming the role of interim executive director in March 2009. Four months later he was appointed executive director.
At the Heart of Transformation of Culture: Couples and Families Living Fully the Vocation of Marriage
Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, S.V., Ph.D.
A hopeful look at the power of marriage and family life - both well-lived - to transform the culture. Note: This recording starts several minutes into the presentation.
Mother Agnes Mary is the first superior of the Sisters of Life, a Public Association of the Faithful founded by John Cardinal O’Connor in 1991. Mother Donovan has a unique charism of protection and enchancing the sacredness of human life. She is also a licensed psychologist in New York and Virginia, with specializations in child development and family issues.
See more at http://www.sistersoflife.org/
Modern Challenges to the Catholic Family
Joseph Corbo, M.D.
Insight from a Catholic counselor about the challenges to today’s families and how he uses his faith perspective to lead individuals and families on a path of growth to what God created them to be.
Dr. Corbo is a board certified psychiatrist and Vice President of the Catholic Physicians Guild of Northern Virginia. His interest/expertise in the area of treating pornography addictions began in the 1980’s when he saw many troubled teenagers who habitually used pornography in an attempt to numb their psychological pain. Dr Corbo treats adolescents, adults and families.
Cultural and Biological Perspectives on Breastfeeding (The First, True Family Value): What Mothers and Fathers Do and Can Do To Help Each Other Help Their Family
James McKenna, Ph.D.
An interesting look at just how important biology is to the development of babies and how important breastfeeding is.
Dr. McKenna holds the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C Chair in Anthropology and is Director of the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame. He is widely published and has received numerous awards and honors in his primary areas of expertise, which include infant sleep, breastfeeding, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
G.K.Chesterton: Prophetic Defender of the Family
Dale Ahlquist
A delightful look at the Catholic flavor of both the life of G.K. Chesterton and his writings.
Dale Ahlquist is President of the American Chesterton Society, host of the EWTN series “G.K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense,” and publisher of Gilbert Magazine. He has been called “one of the most respected Chesterton scholars in the world.”
Defending the Pro-Life Agenda in Washington, D.C.
Michael Schwartz
A review of the accomplishments of the pro-life movement and an argument for how to win the fight moving forward. Hint: A new approach is needed.
Michael Schwartz has worked in the Washington D.C. political scene in various capacities during the past 15 years. Outside of this political work, Mr. Schwartz has spent most of his career in non-profit organizations advancing pro-family causes: chiefly, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights (1977 to 1986); the Free Congress Foundation (1986 to 1994), and Concerned Women for America (2001 to 2004).
Main Talks from the CCL Convention 2008
CCL: A Bird's Eye View
Andy Alderson
CCL’s Executive Director presents a summary of what the League has accomplished over the past year, and then looks ahead to what is currently being developed as well as new projects on the horizon.
Andy Alderson became the Executive Director of CCL in September, 2003 after retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel and Command Pilot from the U.S. Air Force. He and his wife, Giselle, have been a CCL Teaching Couple since 2000 and are the parents of five children.
The Culture of Freedom and NFP
Christopher J. Thompson, Ph.D.
A look at how Natural Family Planning helps couples and individuals mature as individuals through learning to channel human desires and choose that which truly makes us free.
Dr. Christopher Thompson, is the Academic Dean of Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he also teaches moral theology to both seminarians and lay students alike. Dr. Thompson has written on the subjects of moral theology, psychology, marriage and family, and the importance of the environment, and particular area of interest is in the thought of Saint Thomas Aquinas.
A Time to Wean
Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.
A look at research on the average weaning times of various primates, the order to which humans also belong, and how the average age of weaning of humans compares to other primates.
Biological anthropologist Dr. Katherine Dettwyler, who currently teaches at the University of Delaware, is known for her research, writings, and lively presentations on breastfeeding and weaning.
When NFP is Too Hard
Greg Popcak, Ph.D.
Frequently when couples complain of NFP being “too hard,” they are actually having problems in other areas. Rather than being the source of the problem, NFP can facilitate a couple’s spiritual and prayer life, help a couple discern family size, and help a couple achieve holiness
by developing self-mastery and self-control.
Dr. Greg Popcak is a nationally recognized expert in Catholic pastoral counseling, especially in the areas of affective disorders (depression, anxiety) and marriage and family problems. He is also the author of seven books that integrate the faith with counseling psychology, and the co-host (along with his wife, Lisa) of a daily, nationally-syndicated Catholic radio broadcast, "Heart Mind & Strength."
CCL: Renewing the World One Couple at a Time, Starting with Ourselves
Dr. John Bruchalski, Ph.D.
There never been a more important time for CCL members
to spread the good news of NFP. Catholics hold the joy of the truth, and they are encouraged to fight secular evil forces by sharing that joy with all who will listen.
Dr. John Bruchalski is a Board Certified OB/GYN, and founder of the Tepeyac Family Center, an OB/GN practice in Fairfax, Virginia in 1994 and Divine Mercy Care, the Catholic Health Care entity for the Diocese of Arlington.
The Holy Father – Pope Benedict XVI – Visits the United States
Fr. Erik Pohlmeier
An examination of the words and messages of Pope Benedict to the people of the United States during his visit in April 2008.
Fr. Erik Pohlmeier was ordained 10 years ago and is a priest of the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas. He currently serves as pastor of St. John's and St. Mary's Churches in Hot Springs, as well as a member of the CCL Board of Directors.
Truth, Freedom, and Humanae Vitae
Bishop Samuel Aquila
Forty years after its issuance, the beauty and wisdom of Humanae Vitae still rings true, and serves as the answer to the many secular ills plaguing marriages and families today.
Samuel J. Aquila was ordained in Denver, Colorado in 1976, and was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Fargo, North Dakota in 2001. Bishop Aquila succeeded to the See on March 18, 2002, upon the retirement of Bishop James Sullivan.
Scientific Basis and Efficacy of the Different ST-Rules
Dr. Petra Frank Herrmann
A review of recent research on the effectiveness of various Sympto-Thermal Rules.
Dr. Petra Herrmann is an assistant professor and managing director of the natural fertility section in the Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Her most recent research titled “The Effectiveness of Fertility Awareness Based Method to Avoid Pregnancy in Relation to a Couple’s Sexual Behavior during the Fertile Time: a Prospective Longitudinal Study” was published the beginning of 2007 in Human Reproduction.
God's Plan for a Joy-filled Marriage
Damon Clarke Owens
An examination of the nature of true love in marriage.
Damon Clarke Owens is the founder of Joy‐Filled Marriage NJ, a non‐profit organization providing training, resources, and support for engaged and married couples. He and his wife Melanie serve as NFP Program Coordinators for the Archdiocese of Newark (N.J.), and are founders of the New Jersey Natural Family Planning Association.
