There are times when couples may have serious, grave or just reasons for avoiding pregnancy, be it due to serious mental or physical illness or to space pregnancies so that the couple can physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually prepare for another child. Popes Paul VI and John Paul II wrote that married couples are called to responsible parenthood. Couples need to work with God in deciding if they can properly raise a child and be able to teach their children values and virtues needed to build a humane society. The Church thus agreed that Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an acceptable way to regulate fertility.
Parishes across the archdiocese celebrated the feast of Sts Joachim and Anne over the weekend of July 26-27. Here are snapshot reports received from some parishes.
1,123 years of marriage
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yf_2HIFkeg&list=PLBYhAOjz9qbD65bbshuuMIj-ggaUwSL70#t=37[/youtube]
SANTA CRUZ
Twenty-seven couples of the Holy Cross RC Church parish, Santa Cruz, who have been married for more than 25 years, each received an apostolic blessing as they renewed their marital vows on the feast of Sts Anne and Joachim.
The Billings Ovulation Method Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BOMA-TT) is a Non-Profit Company which works under the umbrella of the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission. In this new monthly column, BOMA-TT will share theology, philosophy and scientific evidence concerning human sexuality, which can enhance family life and promote the virtue of chastity.
Recently, the Billings Ovulation Method Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BOMA-TT) was asked to speak about the Natural Law and the Billings Ovulation Method (BOM). The Magisterium of the Catholic Church teaches that Natural Family Planning (NFP) respects God’s order.
PROMOTING HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER MARRIAGES
FISCAL-NICS in collaboration with other Faith Based Organizations – FBOs (Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC) – Roman Catholic, FLC – Anglican, Presbyterian, Orisha Shrine, Flaming Word Ministries, Muslim and Hindu Communities and the Seventh Day Adventist) are working together to build awareness of Marital Issues.
In 2009 we had the third sitting of the Archdiocesan Synod. There we came up with three priorities – the New Evangelization followed by the second, Revitalizing Catholic Identity and Culture. Now we are working on the third priority:Regenerating the Moral and Spiritual Values of our Society. These priorities are related. If our church is truly to become a source of love and…
New Beginnings celebrated 25 years of ministering to the separated, divorced and widowed in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain with a one-day conference on January 12 titled, “From Pieces to Peace”. It was held at the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Centre, Caroni.
A New Beginnings Weekend is designed to help separated, divorced and widowed persons make a new beginning in life. It is a Christian movement, open to persons of all faiths, though designed by and for Catholics. It provides persons with an opportunity to discover themselves in God’s plan.
The Billings Ovulation Method Association of T&T (BOMA-TT) found the article below useful in explaining the circumstances in which Natural Family Planning could be used to space births, among other things.
“If, then, there are serious motives to space out births, which derive from the physical or psychological conditions of husband and wife, or from external conditions, the Church teaches that it is then licit to take into account the natural rhythms immanent in the generative functions…” [Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae 16].
Some 65 married couples, some of whom are involved in marriage preparation programmes, were at Emmaus Centre, Arima, on Saturday, October 12 to hear US marriage counsellor and author Dr Jim Healy. He shared on marriage preparation and on how to maintain a connection in marriage.