“The Catholic Church supports the methods of Natural Family Planning (NFP) because they respect God’s design for married love. In fact, NFP represents the only authentic approach to family planning available to husbands and wives because these methods can be used to both attempt or avoid pregnancy.”
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved.
- Both parties preparing for the celebration of marriage in the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS) are required to participate in a one-hour introductory Natural Family Planning session. This requirement can be satisfied with a trained facilitator leading either an in-person or an online session.
- Note that even though approved online marriage preparation programs often include a NFP component, this does not satisfy the AMS requirement to participate in a one-hour introductory session dedicated to NFP. The In-Person and Online Sessions noted on this webpage do satisfy the requirement.
Natural Family Planning Week, 19-25 July 2026
In-Person Sessions
Engaged couples wishing to participate in the introductory NFP session in-person should contact the AMS priest preparing them for marriage. He is in the best position to know trained facilitators in the local area.
Online Sessions
Holy Family Fertility Care
The AMS has engaged Erin Welsh, CFCP, Director of Holy Family Fertility Care, to coordinate the Archdiocesan introductory NFP sessions. This session is also available in Spanish, please request that option via the e-mail below. A certified Creighton-Method instructor, Erin, teaches these sessions via Skype at times that are mutually agreeable to the parties and her (or another trained facilitator who collaborates with her).
- Introductory session, group of six couples cost is $10
- Introductory on-demand viewing session cost is $20
- Introductory couple session with a facilitator cost is $40
Engaged and married couples are also encouraged to register for the full session NFP program. Each additional session costs $40. Materials for the four session are an additional $50 (total cost is $230-$250). Couples receive a certificate of completion after the fourth follow-up session.
To arrange one of the introductory NFP sessions listed above in English or Spanish, please contact Erin Welsh via email at:
Full-Method NFP Instruction for Those Who Serve
The Couple-to-Couple League honors military families with a video-based NFP course led by a veteran military couple – men and women who have lived the method through the realities of military service. More than a class, it is an opportunity to receive a fuller understanding of the Church’s teaching on marriage, family, and responsible parenthood, all at a special, discounted military rate, available in any time zone.
- The Couple to Couple League also offers an online, Introduction to NFP course for $25 in English and Spanish.
NFP Methods
NFP Resources
- USCCB – National Providers of NFP
- Pastoral Resources on Marriage, Responsible Parenthood, and Natural Family Planning
- Does Natural Family Planning Really Work? by Erin Welsh, FCP
- Celebrate National NFP Week at the end of July
- Liturgy and Prayer resources for NFP Week