Natural Family Planning

Humanae Vitae: a Generation Later

In 1968, Pope Paul VI issued an encyclical, “Humanae Vitae, On the Regulation of Birth,” which rocked the Church. In response to the changes in society, and societal acceptance of the use of artificial birth control, he affirmed the traditional Catholic teaching on birth control and abortion. Noting that Marital Love is a sacred gift from God and that the “transmission of human life is a most serious role in which married people collaborate freely and responsibly with God the Creator”, Pope Paul VI reminded the Church that the moral teaching on marriage comes down to a question of natural law, which “declares the will of God, and its faithful observance is necessary for men’s eternal salvation.”

The natural law reveals that the marriage act has both unitive and procreative aspects, that is to say that in addition to the possible conception of children, the marital act unites the husband and wife more deeply in their sacred union. Pope Paul VI predicted that efforts to thwart one aspect of that act, the procreative aspect, would have unintended consequences on the other aspect, the unitive aspect. Some of the long term consequences of artificial methods of birth control, he continued, would include: marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards; a loss of reverence toward women by men, reducing her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires; and efforts by governments to force or coerce families to use these methods of contraception or abortion. Unfortunately, it does not take much reflection to see how prophetic his words were.

Pope Paul VI did acknowledge that “for serious reasons and with due respect to moral precepts” couples may have valid reasons to delay or avoid the conception of children; however, he stressed that “an act of mutual love which impairs the capacity to transmit life . . . contradicts the will of the Author of life.” For this reason, he appealed to doctors and scientists to research, study and find ways to work with “the natural cycles immanent in the reproductive system” rather than frustrating them. These efforts have resulted in the field of modern Natural Family Planning.

For more on Humanae Vitae Celebration resources, see the Resource section below.

What is Natural Family Planning?

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for methods used to achieve/avoid pregnancies based on the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. It is completely natural, with no hormone disrupting medication or implanted devices and cooperates with a woman’s cycle, rather than disrupting it. NFP reflects the dignity of the human person within the context of marriage and family life, promotes openness to life, and recognizes the value of the child. By respecting the love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife.

Attending a Natural Family Planning Seminar is a requirement for all couples planning to marry in the Catholic Diocese of Rapid City. The seminar is also an enriching experience for married couples and anyone wanting to know more about Natural Family Planning and the Church’s teachings. Below is the schedule of the seminars along with a registration form.

Registration is required two weeks prior to your scheduled seminar, although early registration is appreciated. Registration forms are available at the link below. Seminars are from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 (local time) — please plan to arrive by 8:00 a.m. to check in. For further information contact Lenorr with Family Life Ministries at (605) 716-5214, ext. 236.

Natural Family Planning Seminar Schedule:

Select a date for a registration form

For any questions, please contact Lenorr Snyder or Linda Drake for more details.

Upcoming Dates (All times Mountain Time)

Saturday, Dec 12, 2026 – In Person, Terra Sancta Retreat Center, Rapid City – 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Saturday, March 13, 2027 — In Person, Terra Sancta Retreat Center, Rapid City — 8-11:30am

Saturday, May 15, 2027 — In Person, Terra Sancta Retreat Center, Rapid City — 8-11:30am

Saturday, August 14, 2027 — In Person, Terra Sancta Retreat Center, Rapid City — 8-11:30am

Saturday, October 16, 2027 — In Person, Terra Sancta Retreat Center, Rapid City — 8-11:30am

Saturday, December 11, 2027 — In Person, Terra Sancta Retreat Center, Rapid City — 8-11:30am

*Requirements for Online Only sessions:

A computer with a functioning camera and microphone
A stable internet source for video streaming
Ability to join a Google Meet Conference (https://meet.google.com/landing)
Both participants must be present for the entire session – it is an interactive presentation

Natural Family Planning Methods and Teachers

Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System

teachers meet individually with a couple at regular intervals over the course of a year. Additional instruction is always available as needed. Practitioners are educated through Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE; certification is through the American Academy of Natural Family Planning.

www.naprotechnology.com

www.creightonmodel.com

Jennifer Hall, RN, BSN, FCP
Rapid City SD
(605) 430-0484
jennifer.gibbens@gmail.com

Randi Brickey, FCP
Rapid City SD
(605) 390-3769
randijobrickey@hotmail.com

Abigail Sasse, FCP
Rapid City SD
(907) 203-2117
abigailsasse@gmail.com

Jody Thompson, FCP
Brookings SD
(605) 690-1529
jodythompson722@gmail.com

Valerie Brown, PA, FCP
Faith SD
(605) 739-5101
flintroc@gwtc.net

Briana Mueller, FCPI
Ethan SD
(605) 933-9331
brianafertilitycare@gmail.com

FEMM: Fertility Education and Medical Management

Teachers meet individually for three sessions over several months. Additional instruction is always available as needed. Practitioners are educated through FEMM.

www.femmhealth.org

Megan Graupmann
Belle Fourche SD
(605) 659-4860
mnmeyer214@gmail.com

Diane Meyers
Yakima WA
(541) 224-2066
diane.ma.kennedy@gmail.com

Marquette Method

The Marquette Model (MM) system brings 21st century technology to NFP. It is a system that uses an algorithm with other biological signs of fertility (i.e., urine hormones, mucus and/or temperature) to help identify the woman’s fertile window. The Clearblue fertility monitor is an at home device that measures hormone levels in urine to estimate the beginning and end of the time of fertility in a woman’s menstrual cycle. The information from the monitor can be used in conjunction with observations of cervical mucus, basal body temperature, or other biological indicators of fertility. The MM was developed by professional nurses and physicians at Marquette University in the late 1990s. Learning how to monitor fertility through NFP aids a couple in the understanding, appreciation, and holistic integration of this precious gift. (Description by Marquette University Institute for Natural Family Planning).

Anna Speirs, RN BSN MMCP
Yankton SD
femininegeniusministries.com
605-520-1276
annaspeirs@marquettenfp.com

Sydney Thibault
Rapid City SD
952-381-4464
syanderson1997@gmail.com

Billings Ovulation Method (BOM)

teachers are trained and certified by Family of the Americas Foundation. Couples using BOM track the woman’s natural and unique signs of fertility and infertility each day. Based on the primary observation of sensation, four simple rules are applied within the woman’s cycle (the first three rules are used before ovulation and the fourth rule is applied once the fertile phase is over).

www.fertilitypinpoint.com

Sympto-Thermal Method

relies on the observation of three fertility signs: cervical mucus, basal body temperature and the cervix. Certified teachers provide NFP instruction to groups of couples in a series of classroom-style presentations.

www.ccli.org

Matthew & Dr. Renee Schroeder
Chamberlain SD
605-234-1534
matt.schroeder@hushmail.com

Medical Consultants & Physicians

These medical practitioners have extensive training with Natural Family Planning and Fertility Care. They do not prescribe contraceptives.

Susanne Godsey, PA-C
Rapid City SD
MyCatholicDoctor
888-822-8436 X1113 or 216-946-5781
Susanne.Godsey@mycatholicdoctor.com
Methods: FEMM, CCLI

Melissa Aberle, CNP
Rapid City SD
Well Beyond Personalized Medicine
605-219-9525
www.wellbeyondmed.com
Method: Creighton Model Fertility Care

Renee Schroeder, DO
Chamberlain SD
Avera Dakota Family Medical Center
605-234-6584
Kennebec Clinic, Kennebec
605-869-2872
Method: CCLI