Carrying the Mission Forward
When Regina and Alfred Nicolini became a certified Couple to Couple League Teaching Couple in 2025, they joined a tradition stretching back more than five decades. They are among CCL’s newest volunteers, teaching classes while raising a young daughter and balancing the demands of work, mission and family life.
Yet in many ways, their story sounds remarkably familiar. Like the generations of Teaching Couples who came before them, the Nicolinis first experienced the benefits of Natural Family Planning in their own relationship. They learned the method together as an engaged couple. They discovered that NFP strengthened communication and deepened their appreciation for God’s design for marriage. And when the invitation came to serve, they responded with the same enthusiasm that has sustained CCL’s mission for 55 years.
A CCL Legacy Couple
What makes their story especially fitting is that both Regina and Alfred grew up in homes already touched by CCL’s work. Regina remembers seeing Family Foundations magazine in her family’s home while growing up. Her parents had taken a CCL class and remained involved as members and supporters. “It was something that I was familiar with,” Regina recalled. “I knew that was something that we were going to do.”
Alfred’s parents also learned NFP through CCL. While he did not fully understand the method at the time, the magazines were there, quietly witnessing to a way of life that would later become important to him.
Years later, after meeting on Catholic Match during the pandemic, the two began building a relationship centered on their shared Catholic faith. Most of their dates began with Mass. They spent countless hours walking, talking, and learning about one another. “The simple things sort of kept us grounded and together,” Alfred said. Looking back, he believes those quiet conversations helped prepare them for marriage. Living two hours apart, the distance between them required them to be intentional. “We had to be purposeful about it,” he said. “There was always something to look forward to next.”
More to NFP
When they enrolled in CCL’s full Sympto-Thermal Method course during their engagement, both discovered there was far more to NFP than they had realized. For Regina, learning the method in depth transformed a general understanding into practical knowledge. For Alfred, the experience challenged assumptions he had carried for years. “After the first class it was like, ‘This is really interesting,'” he said. “It actually was something much more than what my impression was. Way deeper.”
The couple also discovered firsthand what many CCL students have learned over the years: NFP fosters communication. Learning to discuss fertility, chart observations, and future family plans wasn’t always easy. Some conversations felt awkward at first. But those discussions created a foundation that continues to benefit their marriage today. “It’s helped us greatly,” Alfred said. “We’ve had conversations now that, looking back, would have been harder to have if we didn’t have a good foundation.”
Not long after welcoming their daughter, the Nicolinis received an email announcing CCL’s need for additional Teaching Couples. Regina had occasionally wondered whether teaching might be something they would do someday—perhaps years down the road. Instead, the opportunity arrived much sooner. Their mentor couple, Tom and Mary Lynn Au, encouraged them to consider the possibility. The veteran Teaching Couple’s generosity and support helped give them confidence to take the next step. “They were really encouraging,” Regina said.
Saying Yes
So they said yes. Today, the Nicolinis teach live online classes and mentor couples from their home. Like many young parents, they juggle busy schedules, childcare arrangements, and the unexpected challenges that come with family life. Yet they continue because they believe NFP is a gift worth sharing. “It’s a blessing that we feel in our marriage,” Alfred said, “and we want to pass that along to others.”
“Just seeing a number of generations benefiting from the mission of the organization—it’s kind of neat to be able to be a part of it.” Regina Nicolini
As CCL celebrates 55 years of teaching Natural Family Planning, the Nicolinis see themselves as part of something much larger than their own story. Regina thinks about her parents benefiting from CCL’s mission, then her own family, and someday teaching their daughter what she has learned. “Just seeing a number of generations benefiting from the mission of the organization,” she said, “it’s kind of neat to be able to be a part of it.”
That is the reaching impact of NFP.
For 55 years, generous couples have shared their time, experience, and faith with others. Some have taught for decades. Others now serve as parish advocates, mentors, and ambassadors. Each generation has helped form the next.
Today, Regina and Alfred Nicolini are carrying that torch forward. They may be one of CCL’s newest Teaching Couples, but their enthusiasm is the same enthusiasm that has sustained this mission from the beginning—and God willing, will continue for generations to come.
Why is NFP so important? Take the Natural Plan course for a quick intro. Learn Natural Family Planning – as an engaged couple or as a married couple.
Written by Martha Haenni, Assistant Editor for Family Foundations magazine, a quarterly benefit to our benefactors and supporters.