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How about some Earth Day props for NFP?

When was the last time you were astounded by the beauty of nature? It happened to me by surprise last weekend when a friend and I stumbled upon an Earth Day Fair at a local park. To be honest Earth Day isn’t something I celebrate or anticipate, so the eco-friendly exhibitors and vendors didn’t hold…

Abstaining from frustration

From the Family Foundations archives * * * * by Dr. Gregory K. Popcak NFP couples talk a lot about the blessings abstinence brings. Some talk about SPICE (using the abstinence times to pursue Spiritual, (non-sexual) Physical, Intellectual, Creative, and Emotional intimacy) and there is something to this. Couples who know how to manage Phase…

Facing a Phase II honeymoon

From the Family Foundations archives * * * * For the many engaged couples enrolled in an NFP class, one of the biggest concerns is facing a honeymoon that falls during the fertile time of the cycle. That calls for a lot of prayerful discernment, especially if you were…

CCL and the Year of Mercy: April

Our apologies, readers, for missing the March Year of Mercy blog post. Have mercy on our small communications staff! We continue our prayer campaign in this Year of Mercy by remembering how the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines mercy: “The loving kindness, compassion, or forbearance shown to one who offends (i.e., the mercy of…

Trusting God, trusting NFP

In 1931 Jesus came to visit a young Polish nun named Faustina. He appeared to her as he did in this picture, offering a gesture of peace and pointing to his heart. The red and white rays bursting forth represent the blood and water that flowed from his pierced side and serve as the foundation…

Great time for a fresh start

We are almost to the end of the Easter Octave and it’s time to look ahead. We’ve rolled away the stone that was Lent, have celebrated and rejoiced in the Resurrection, and now it is time to enter into a new beginning, a new life with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Just as Easter offers…

CCL embarks on search for next leader

Executive Director Michael D. Manhart, PhD, has announced his upcoming retirement, seven years after graciously taking on the role “temporarily” to help the League while it transitioned to a new leader. In 2009 Mike was recently retired from a long career at Procter & Gamble and had been serving as a CCL board member when…

Protect yourself against the elements, not your spouse

Happy Spring, everyone! The sun is creeping out and warmer weather looks like it’s here to stay, bringing spring into full swing. Spring also comes with that famous saying “April showers bring May flowers” (not a personal favorite one of mine…with an April birthday I wish it wasn’t associated with rain!). But now is the…

St. Joseph, Husband of Mary

Today the Church celebrates St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He is one of CCL’s patron saints because he is a role model for husbands, fathers and anyone trying to live a chaste life. The marriage of Mary and Joseph was truly unique. They loved each other as husband and wife but remained…

Luck’s got nothing to do with it

On this feast of St. Patrick’s Day perhaps you are thinking about some of the luck in your life. Whether it be something small, like getting a good parking space or something larger, like being in the right place at the right time to meet your spouse. There are all sorts of luck (aka blessings!) to…