Teaching Natural Family Planning is a ministry in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Like other ministries in the church, people are drawn to minister in the area where the Lord has moved their own hearts, and this is true of the 25 certified couples teaching NFP in the archdiocese.

The sincere way these couples share their journey of love, life and sexuality with couples who are engaged and preparing for marriage in the archdiocese really works. Their message reaches the hundreds of couples who attend various forms of marriage preparation in the archdiocese each year. It is wonderful to see them have the opportunity to educate other couples and dispel many of the myths about Natural Family Planning.

In addition, many parishes offer NFP classes in English and Spanish throughout the year and individual instruction is available. An NFP course usually consists of four classes spaced over a four-month time frame. Each class is two hours long and the instructor is available to each student for supervision while they learn the method.

Three methods are taught in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

The Sympto-Thermal Method focuses on three major signs of fertility: waking or basal body temperature; the position of the cervix; and the mucus discharge. Couples are taught to accurately read the coinciding of these three signs. Instructors and upcoming classes are listed below:

Genie and James Monahan; St. Michael Church, Gainesville; (770) 287-0781; course on July 31, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 23;

Jeff and Theresa Howard; Prince of Peace Church, Buford; (770) 932-6185; course from 7-9 p.m. on July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22, Oct. 27;

Trung and Julie Tran; St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn; (770) 931-4602; course from 10 a.m.-noon on Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 22, Nov. 19;

Scott and Janet Buckley; St. Marguerite d’Youville Church, Lawrenceville; (678) 344-6630; course on Aug. 29, Sept. 26, Oct. 24, Nov. 14.

Instructors in Spanish are Alex and Maria Munoz, (770) 205-4480, and Daniel and Aline Sanchez, (770) 352-0488.

The second method taught is the Ovulation Method, which is based on external mucus observations. The method can be used in regular or irregular cycles, in breast-feeding, in pre-menopause, or after discontinuing contraceptive medications.

The Ovulation Method is taught in individual sessions by Mary Owens in Cumming, (770) 886-4481; Christina Cryan in Lilburn, (770) 381-7644; Ann Labar, P.A., (404) 848-1564; Gemini Alexander in LaGrange, (706) 884-4224; and Vicki Tuck in Marietta, (770) 514-9007.

The Ovulation Method is taught in Spanish by Christina Cryan in Lilburn, (770) 381-7644; Alex and Maria Munoz, (770) 205-4480; and Daniel and Aline Sanchez, (770) 352-0488.

The third method taught is a Multi-Indexed Method based on mucus, temperature, and a fertility monitor. This method is taught by Kathleen Raviele, M.D., whose number is (770) 491-0255 and by Sara San Fratello, R.N., whose number is (770) 270-9859.

Natural Family Planning has been referred to as “the church’s best-kept secret,” but in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, due to the support of the archbishop, and the amazing dedication of NFP teachers and the medical community, the secret is out and couples are signing up for classes in record numbers.