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The Practicing Catholic

Intentionally, joyfully living the faith ... we hope.

Pope Paul VI

Why Don’t We Want More Children?

July 25, 2013 by Deacon Joel and Lisa Schmidt 6 Comments

According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the average size of the American household has decreased by about one person. American culture is definitely voting for the smaller family and material wellbeing over the riches of multiple children. If any culture can materially afford big families, it is ours. Even from an economic point of view, the United States is powerful not because of its standard of living or its natural resources, but because of its greatest resource: people.

The medieval theologians and philosophers, in talking about God, say: Goodness diffuses itself, it wants to be shared by many. If our culture is so good, then why don’t we want to have more children and share it with them?

Posted in: Family, Natural Family Planning, Schmidt, Joel, Schmidt, Lisa Tagged: Humanae Vitae, Love and Sexuality, Marriage, Natural Family Planning, Parenthood, Pope Paul VI

6 Things I’ve Learned Since Dumping the Pill

July 28, 2012 by Renee McGuire 12 Comments

Editor’s Note: In honor of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, please welcome Renee McGuire. Renee and husband Kerry are parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, Iowa, where they teach Natural Family Planning classes. This is Part 1 of Renee’s testimony. Part 2 is 5 Steps to Embracing Natural Family Planning. * * … [Read more…]

Posted in: Family, Guest Contributors, Natural Family Planning Tagged: abortion, Birth Control, Catholic, Humane Vitae, Intrinsic Evil, Kerry McGuire, Miscarriage, Natural Family Planning, Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, NFP, Pill, Pope Paul VI, Postpone Pregnancy, Renee McGuire, Teaching, Theology of the Body

Pope Benedict XVI’s April Prayer Intentions

April 3, 2012 by Deacon Joel Schmidt Leave a Comment

Unite with Christians throughout the world in praying for the pope’s monthly prayer intentions. Since the nineteenth century, popes have asked the Apostleship of Prayer to pray for specific intentions. Two prayer intentions are requested each month from the Holy Father, a general intention and a mission intention. Let us join the Apostleship of Prayer’s … [Read more…]

Posted in: Faith, Schmidt, Joel Tagged: Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, Heaven, Hope, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Paul VI, Prayer, Priesthood, Religious Life, Resurrection, Second Vatican Council, Vocations, World Day of Prayer for Vocations

God’s Plan for Parenthood (Part 2)

July 26, 2011 by Renee McGuire 3 Comments

In honor of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, please once again welcome contributing author Renee McGuire to The Practicing Catholic. Renee and husband Kerry are fellow parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, IA, where they also teach NFP classes. Part 1 of their story appeared yesterday. Pick-up from Part 1. … [Read more…]

Posted in: Faith, Family, Guest Contributors, Natural Family Planning Tagged: Birth Control, Contraception, Family, Fertility, Fertility Care, Humane Vitae, love, Marriage, Miscarriage, Natural Family Planning, NFP Awareness Week, Parenting, Pope John Paul II, Pope Paul VI, Pregnancy, Prolife, Theology of the Body
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Deacon Joel and Lisa Schmidt

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