Transcript

So the topic on chastity and temperance is, it's a tough one, um, especially, um, for those who were raised Catholic like myself.

Um, um, thinking back on my life and, um, my experiences, um, I felt that it's really different from, you know, what the culture here, you know, is- is saying, um, especially on the media, um, what people are doing, and- and things that they are saying that makes them happy.

Um, I find that chastity and temperance, uh, is something that is special, um, um, especially in a relationship, uh, with my husband.

Um, so just having that type of relationship where we have trust in one another, um, is- is important to us.

And I know that it would take us far in our, uh, marriage, um, especially, you know, while we were in RCIA together, um, um, I was there for Ivan with support, and, um, we were encouraged to take natural family planning classes.

Um, this was, uh, a class that took over three months, uh, to complete.

Um, it taught, uh, uh, they taught me how to, um, really, um, um, check signs in my body, um, to have a better understanding of my body, and to have, um, it to build a- a- a sense of trust between, um, um, my husband and I. Um, so that was something that was very great for our relationship, um, moving forward.

I remember when I first heard about the Church's teaching on natural family planning, NFP, it was before I was Catholic and before I was married, when my husband said to me or my soon-to-be husband said to me, You know, when we get married, you can't be on contraception.

And for me, this was a shock as- as anyone in my situation can probably imagine, because I didn't really think of another option other than contraception.

To me, it was taught that that was the responsible thing to do.

And when I asked him, Why?

he simply said, Because it comes between life and love.

And that got my wheels turning, um, learning about the Church's teachings of NFP. And- and I've learned that it truly is a gift.

It's, um, it's an opportunity, I think, in a marriage, for, uh, a couple to- to learn and to appreciate the gift that is fertility.

I think it's also, um, a forced opportunity almost to keep the conversation open about what God wants for your family.

And I think when you- when you contracept, um, beyond what, you know, the negative medical effects of- of that decision, I think it automatically closes the door on what could be a constant ongoing prayerful conversation and discerning for what God wants for you and what God wants for your family.

As a mother, I am fearful for my children, um, growing up and leaving home and entering into this over-sexualized culture.

Um, I can't even watch cartoon movies with my kids without previewing them first because of the innuendos that are in there, the- the slow desensitization, um, that is pervasive in our culture, and it starts at two, when you're old enough to watch a cartoon movie, and gets progressively and aggressively worse, um, as you move along.

Having- having the Church's consistent teaching on sexuality, on temperance, on morality is so comforting to me as a Christian mother, because I know that I'm not alone.

I have the support of my faith community to tell my children, This is right and this is wrong.

Um, and it's- it's not okay to use people for your own end.

Um, we value, we value people above things.

And I'm grateful to the Church.