An occasion of Grace
A black and white ad, 1” square, in our Diocesan newspaper—that was where my journey with CCL began as my future husband, Tom and I prepared for our wedding. Taking the “Home Study” class (with a chart review by mail!) was our first introduction to the Couple to Couple League community. Little did we know…
Read MoreTeen fertility awareness: Helping our daughters reclaim the true meaning of their bodies
Many parents, and I was one of them, dread having to have “the talk” as their child approaches puberty. We aren’t quite sure what to say about teen fertility awareness, and we fear what questions we may get. Looking back, I see that practicing fertility awareness helped my husband and me grow comfortable talking about…
Read MoreExpanding the Tent
As we begin our 50th Jubilee Year on October 7, 2020, the Feast of the Holy Rosary, I invite you to join us in a special commitment to offering a rosary each week for the mission of CCL, its volunteers, students and members. After 50 years of planting the seeds of the truth of Humanae…
Read MoreAlphonsus Liguori united two purposes of marital act
Many of us know that the teachings of the Church on marital love are founded on the inseparable connection between the two meanings of the conjugal act: the unitive meaning and the procreative meaning (HV #12). Less well-known is that it took centuries and the teaching of several doctors of the Church for this foundational…
Read MoreCultivating a new creation
We are just getting back to work as Ohio slowly lifts its “stay at home” orders. We continue to pray for you and yours–asking for Our Lord’s protection and healing. It is strangely quiet at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center where our office is now located. As we clean and dust our office, we are…
Read MoreMore than just a fertility awareness method
I love that the Couple to Couple League (CCL) has never just taught the Sympto-Thermal Method. Why? Because to practice a fertility awareness method of family planning successfully, you need more than head knowledge. CCL has always been structured to provide whatever couples need live out the call to marital love as God designed. And…
Read MoreMore evidence that periodic abstinence is good for marriage relationship
New research confirms that despite the challenge of periodic abstinence, the use of natural family planning can be beneficial for marital relationships. The study, “Natural Family Planning and Marital Chastity: The Effects of Periodic Abstinence on Marital Relationships” (Linacre Quarterly, June 12, 2020) by Richard J. Fehring, PhD, RN, and Michael D. Manhart, PhD, found…
Read MoreLearning NFP? Start with Sympto-Thermal
OK, you’ve been hearing about fertility awareness-based methods. You like that they are safe and healthy. But how do you know which method to learn? You could search online to find advice or surveys that help match a method to your personality, lifestyle or needs. There’s good logic behind that. But I recommend everyone start…
Read MoreGrowing in devotion to St. Joseph as my spiritual father
As I help prepare for our family’s Father’s Day celebration this weekend, my thoughts happily keep turning to the foster father of Jesus, thanks to recently working on a Consecration to St. Joseph. I must admit my sorrow at neglecting a deeper relationship with him before now. As a woman, I pretty much relegated St.…
Read MoreWe have lost a treasure
Anyone who has followed CCL for any amount of time is likely familiar with our best-selling book, Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition by Marilyn Shannon. The 5th edition was just released a few months, and was a complete re-write (not just an update) with as much solid, new information on the connection between nutrition and fertility…
Read MoreAn Easter Story
Writing this column in the beginning of April, it is our fervent prayer that this issue greets you as the world is coming out of the global challenge of COVID-19, and as we are experiencing the Easter blessing of healing and health. As we have traveled through this worldwide time of trial, I am reflecting…
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