Catechesis video questions

Grades 7-12

1. What is Invitro-Fertilization (IVF)?
2. How does IVF work?
3. What reasons does the Church offer for opposing IVF?
4. How is IVF related to abortion?
5. The children of IVF treatment are equal in dignity to everyone else. How can we talk about opposition to IVF while maintaining compassion for families who have undergone/are undergoing IVF?

Faith-sharing groups/Parishioners

1. What is Invitro-Fertilization (IVF)?
2. How does IVF work?
3. What reasons does the Church offer for opposing IVF?
4. How is IVF related to abortion?
5. The children of IVF treatment are equal in dignity to everyone else. How can we talk about opposition to IVF while maintaining compassion for families who have undergone/are undergoing IVF?

Parish Leadership/Committees

1. What is Invitro-Fertilization (IVF)?
2. How does IVF work?
3. What reasons does the Church offer for opposing IVF?
4. How is IVF related to abortion?
5. The children of IVF treatment are equal in dignity to everyone else. How can we talk about opposition to IVF while maintaining compassion for families who have undergone/are undergoing IVF?

Witness Video

Catholics and the Catholic Church are often described as being “anti-science”. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is especially so when it comes to the science of reproductive health. Just as we saw earlier this year the advances in medicine from adult stem cell research done by the Catholic Church and scientists working according to the Catholic faith, we find that there are many scientific based alternatives to IVF and other reproductive treatments.

Natural Family Planning is one scientifically proven method that does not only help families spread out pregnancies but can also help couples conceive.

Watch the videos below and learn about another method of scientific treatment as well as the stories of those who lived through and with infertility. For more videos like this one go to dbqarch.org/nfp

Witness Video Questions

Grades 7-12

1. Ashley and Jeff discuss their difficulty in conceiving a child, what process did they use to help them conceive?
2. What lessons did Jeff and Ashley learn along their journey?
3. What did doctors originally recommend to them? Why did they not go that route?
4. Where might Jeff’s skepticism have come from?
5. What health benefit did NFP offer Ashley in addition to being able to conceive?
6. How did NFP help their marriage?

Faith-sharing groups/Parishioners

1. Ashley and Jeff discuss their difficulty in conceiving a child, what process did they use to help them conceive?
2. What lessons did Jeff and Ashley learn along their journey?
3. What did doctors originally recommend to them? Why did they not go that route?
4. Where might Jeff’s skepticism have come from?
5. What health benefit did NFP offer Ashley in addition to being able to conceive?
6. How did NFP help their marriage?

Parish Leadership/Committees

1. Ashley and Jeff discuss their difficulty in conceiving a child, what process did they use to help them conceive?
2. What lessons did Jeff and Ashley learn along their journey?
3. What did doctors originally recommend to them? Why did they not go that route?
4. Where might Jeff’s skepticism have come from?
5. What health benefit did NFP offer Ashley in addition to being able to conceive?
6. How did NFP help their marriage?

Take Action

Grades 7-12

1. Promote adoption as a way for families struggling to conceive through fundraising or an awareness campaign on adoption.
2. Encourage your teachers to teach Natural Family Planning in health classes
3. Talk about NFP with your parents using the archdiocesan webpage dbqarch.org/nfp

Faith-sharing groups/Parishioners

1. Study NFP starting with the Archdiocesan webpage dbqarch.org/nfp and discuss what NFP is (and what it isn’t).
2. Pray for families struggling with infertility
3. Encourage local doctors to investigate NFP including NaproTechnology, the Creighton Method, among others.
4. Consider a fundraiser to help a member or members of your parish to become trained and certified in an NFP program.

Parish Leadership/Committees

1. Promote NFP at your parish by making resources available to families including the Archdiocesan resources found at dbqarch.org/nfp
2. Invite  NFP trainers to come to your parish to help educate people on NFP
3. Create support groups for families struggling to conceive – helping them through the painful journey of their life while supporting them in practicing NFP, seeking adopting a child, as well as being present to their many needs.
4. Pray for families struggling with infertility in the Prayers of the Faithful during Mass or have a liturgy for families that have had challenges with conceiving a child.
5. Encourage local doctors to investigate NFP including NaproTechnology, the Creighton Method, among others
6. Consider a fundraiser to help a member or members of your parish to become trained and certified in an NFP program.

Closing prayer

Good parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grandparents of our Savior, Jesus Christ,

When life seems barren, help us to trust in God’s mercy.

When we are confused, help us to find the way to God.

When we are lost in the desert, lead us to those whom God has called us to love.

When our marriage seems lifeless, show us the eternal youth of the Lord.

When we are selfish, teach us to cling only to that which lasts.

When we are afraid, help us to trust in God.

When we are ashamed, remind us that we are God’s children.

When we sin, lead us to do God’s will.

You who know God’s will for husband and wife, help us to live chastely.

You who know God’s will for the family, keep all families close to you.

You who suffered without children, intercede for all infertile couples.

You who trusted in God’s will, help us to respect God’s gift of fertility.

You who gave birth to the Blessed Mother, inspire couples to be co-creators with God.

You who taught the Mother of God, teach us to nurture children in holy instruction.

You whose hearts trusted in God, hear our prayers for . . . (mention your requests here)

Pray with us for the ministry of Catholic family life.

Pray with us for the ministry of Natural Family Planning.

Pray with us for all who give their time, talent and treasure to this good work. (1)

God of our fathers, you gave Saints Anne and Joachim

the privilege of being the parents of Mary,

the mother of your incarnate Son.

May their prayers help us to attain

the salvation you have promised to your people.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. (2)

Amen

1. Diocesan Development Program for NFP, Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
2. Collect fromThe Roman Missal © 1973, ICEL. All rights reserved.)