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St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Parish


807 Havens Corners Road
Gahanna, OH 43230
(614) 471-0212
Contact Us

  • Contact Us
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Search
  • Home
      • Divine Mercy Perpetual Adoration Chapel
      • How Do I...?
      • Brand Guide
      • Facilities Calendar (Staff Only)
      • Live Stream Schedule
      • Natural Family Planning
  • I'm New
      • Planning Your Visit
      • Becoming Catholic
      • Joining the Parish
      • About Us
  • Our Parish
      • About Us
      • How Do I...?
      • Clergy and Staff
      • New Parishioners
      • Becoming Catholic
      • Contact Us
      • St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic School
    • Communications
      • Bulletins
      • Weekly Newsletter
      • Email list sign up
      • Live Stream
      • St. Matthew Moments Podcast
      • Catholic Times
  • Sacraments
      • Baptism
      • Confirmation
      • Eucharist
      • Reconciliation
      • Holy Orders
      • Anointing of the Sick
      • Marriage
      • Becoming Catholic
      • Funeral Planning
  • Formation
      • Small Groups
      • Walking with Purpose
      • Men's Ministries
      • Bible Studies
      • First Steps in Faith
      • Family of Faith
      • Family Life Office
      • Youth and Young Adult
      • RCIA/Becoming Catholic
      • FORMED
      • Vocation Discernment
  • Ministries
    • Get Involved
      • Full List of Ministries
      • Safe Environment Program
    • Liturgical Ministries
      • Music Ministries
      • Altar Server Information
      • Extraordinary Minister Schedule
      • Sacristan and Lector Schedule
      • Become an Usher/Greeter
    • Faith Formation
      • Bible Study
      • Walking with Purpose
      • RCIA/Becoming Catholic
      • Family of Faith
      • First Steps in Faith
    • Service
      • Charitable Works Ministry
      • Ladies of St. Jude
      • Knights of Columbus
      • Legion of Mary
      • Social Concerns Committee
      • Walking With Moms In Need
      • Julia Greeley Committee
      • Pro-Life Subcommittee
    • Fellowship
      • Athletic Association
      • Youth and Young Adult Ministry
      • Donut Social
      • Parish Festival
  • Family Life
    • Children's Ministries
      • Nursery
      • First Steps in Faith
      • Family of Faith
      • Summer Musical
    • Sacraments
      • Baptism
      • Becoming Catholic
      • Marriage
      • St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic School
      • Youth & Young Adult Ministries
      • Athletic Association
  • Give
      • Online Giving
      • Bishop's Annual Appeal
      • Mary Garden
      • Parish Wishlist
  • Community Support
    • Need Help?
      • Annulment Process
      • Funeral Planning
      • COVID-19 Financial Assistance Form
      • Call to Come Home
      • Prayer Requests
      • Pregnancy Support
      • Divorce Support
      • GriefShare
      • Counseling Services
      • Healing
      • Resources for Moms in Need
      • Domestic Violence Help
      • School Tuition Support
      • Other Support Options
    • Want to Help?
      • Charitable Works Ministry
      • Ladies of St. Jude
      • Social Concerns Committee
      • Other Ways to Help
      • St. Matthew School Hometown Bazaar Craft Show
      • Gahanna Summer Lunch Program
  • Headline Section 490007
    • What is Natural Family Planning (NFP)?

      Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle. NFP is not “the rhythm method.” The Rhythm (or Calendar) method was developed in the 1930s. It was based on the scientific theory that ovulation could be predicted by calculating previous menstrual cycles. This method was often inaccurate because it did not take account of the unique nature of a woman's menstrual cycle.  

      Today’s methods of NFP do take account of such variations. Based on observable signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle, NFP methods track the changes associated with ovulation and not only treat each woman as unique, but each cycle as well. The accuracy of women’s observations has been validated by scientific research.

      NFP is a holistic approach to family planning. Both husband and wife understand their fertility, emotions, and family planning intention (whether to have a baby or not). Its successful use to avoid pregnancy relies upon a couple’s following what they know about the method and one another. Successful use of NFP requires a couple to communicate. In the daily charting of their fertility signs, couples quickly appreciate their shared responsibility for family planning. Husbands are encouraged to “tune into” their wives’ cycles, and both spouses are encouraged to speak openly to each other about their sexual desires and their ideas on family size.  

      Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain from intercourse and genital contact when the woman is fertile and can conceive. The total days of abstinence will vary from woman to woman and even from cycle to cycle. Whatever the length of the fertile phase, no barriers or chemicals are used at any time to avoid pregnancy. To achieve pregnancy couples have intercourse during the fertile time of the cycle.  

      NFP is not a contraceptive. It does nothing to suppress or block conception.  Instead, couples adjust their behavior according to their family planning intention using the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of a woman's cycle NFP promotes openness to the transmission of human life and recognizes the value of children. Sexual relations are understood as love-giving as well as life-giving. It is true family planning. Because NFP respects the twofold nature of sexual intercourse, it can enrich the bond between husband and wife.  Indeed, it can be said that NFP promotes the understanding of “self donation” between spouses.  For these reasons it is an acceptable form of family planning for people of various religious and philosophical beliefs.   

    • Quick Links

      NFP: Myth and Reality (FAQs about NFP)The Science Behind NFPOverview of Various NFP MethodsStats and Effectiveness
       

    • Ready to Learn More?

      For more information or to learn about NFP Classes available in our area, contact Julie Ratliff.

      • Julie Ratliff
        Julie Ratliff
        Family Life Coordinator and Marriage Formation
        (614) 532-0620
        jratliffstmatthew.net
 
As a community of believers who know, love, and serve Jesus Christ, we celebrate the sacramental life of the Church, proclaim the saving message of Christ, and share the love of the Lord, especially with the least, the poor, and the suffering. 
 
Worship + Serve + Evangelize
 

807 Havens Corners Road
Gahanna, Ohio 43230
Phone: 614-471-0212

Office Hours
Monday and Friday
8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Tuesday-Thursday
8:30 am to 2:00 pm

 
 
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