Dr. Daniel Greene, MD, Ob/Gyn, answers some common questions about Natural Family Planning:

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 “Rhythm.” 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.

The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois offers NFP courses for couples interested in learning more about this natural, God-given means of achieving and avoiding pregnancies. For more information, contact Carlos Tejeda in the Office for Marriage and Family Life at 217-321-1132.

On June 22, 2010, Bishp Thomas John Paprocki, former Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago, became the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, presided over the Introductory Rites of the Mass. In attendance were 37 bishops, including Archbishop George J. Lucas, and Bishops Kevin Vann and Victor Balke. Many priests, deacons, religious and laity filled the cathedral to overflow capacity.

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On July 7^th a Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday was signed into law.  The tax holiday will begin August 6 and last through August 15, 2010.  During this window, state taxes on clothing and school supplies will be reduced by 5% to 1.25%.(instead of 6.25%). Other Local County and City taxes will still apply.

Eligible Clothing

For the purposes of this Tax Holiday, “Clothing” is defined as all human wearing apparel suitable for general use. Each item purchased must meet this definition and have a retail selling price of less than $100.

The list of eligible “Clothing” items includes, but is not limited to:

• School Uniforms
• Belts and Suspenders
• Neckties
• Underwear
• Socks and Stockings
• Hosiery
• Pantyhose
• Coats and Jackets
• Hats and Caps
• Ear Muffs
• Gloves and Mittens for general use
• Scarves
• Rainwear
• Shoes and Shoelaces
• Sneakers
• Boots
• Sandals
• Footlets
• Overshoes
• Insoles for Shoes
• Slippers
• Steel-Toed Shoes
• Athletic Supporters
• Bathing Suits and Caps
• Lab Coats
• Household and Shop Aprons
• Rubber Pants

Eligible School Supplies

The legislation defines "School supplies" as items used by a student in a course of study.  Purchases of “school supplies” for any other use are not eligible for the reduced rate of tax.

"School supplies" includes, but is not limited to:

• Binders
• Book Bags
• Calculators
• Cellophane tape
• Blackboard Chalk
• Compasses
• Composition Books
• Crayons
• Erasers
• Expandable, Pocket, Plastic, and Manila Folders
• Glue, Paste, and Paste Sticks
• Highlighters
• Index Cards
• Index Card Boxes
• Legal Pads
• Lunch Boxes
• Markers
• Notebooks
• Paper, including loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper,
• manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper
• Pencils
• Pencil Leads
• Pens, Ink, and Ink Refills for Pens
• Pencil Boxes and other School Supply Boxes
• Pencil Sharpeners
• Protractors
• Rulers
• Scissors
• Writing Tablets

This information was compiled by the Catholic Conference of Illinois.