About the Diocese of Phoenix, Office of Natural Family Planning (Español)
The Diocese of Phoenix Office of Natural Family Planning began as the Phoenix Natural Family Planning Center in the fall of 1974 as Dr. Sam DeFrancesco began instructing clients in monthly lectures at St. Joseph's Hospital. By 1976 an Instructor Training Program was developed with Maria Fitzpatrick, Janet Kistler and Dr. Jim Statt and the classes were expanded to a series of three with continuing follow-up. Fr. Marc Calegari, S.J., an instructor at Brophy College Prep, was very involved in the development of client materials and teacher training, challenging all who became involved in the ministry to keep up with scientific and theological articles that were related to NFP.
After many years of being hosted at St. Joseph's Hospital, then at St. Theresa Church, the administrative office moved to where it has been located since 1999: St. Mark's Catholic Church in Central Phoenix. Though it officially became a Diocesan Office, under the Office of Marriage and Respect Life Issues on July 1, 2008 the office will remain at St. Mark's Church.
Half of the NFP budget is provided by the Charity and Development Appeal and for development such as updating of client materials, translation, scholarships, new technology, instructor training and other special projects, it is dependent on donations and funds received from the classes provided.
All of our NFP instructors are highly trained and certified volunteers who receive a small stipend to defray their transportation and childcare costs while providing classes throughout the Diocese of Phoenix. We are always in need of more teachers and parish representatives to help spread the good news of NFP in the Diocese of Phoenix.
Staff
Cindy Leonard, Coordinator, has been teaching the Sympto-Thermal (S-T) Method of NFP with her husband Mike for 28 years. She also conducts supervised trainings for new NFP instructors for the Northwest Family Services S-T method.
Maria Diaz, administrative assistant, is fluent in Spanish and teaches the Sympto-Thermal method to Spanish speaking couples.
Maria (iconsbymaria@yahoo.com) is also an accomplished iconographer with many of her works in churches & chapels in and around the Phoenix area. Pictured to the right is her work entitled Kiss at the Gate which commemorates Ss. Joachim and Anne's joyful meeting at the golden gates of the city of Jerusalem after the Lord had revealed to them his will for their marriage and family. It celebrates the sanctity of the grandparents of the Savior, the vocation of marriage, and their faithfulness to each other and to God.
Josefina Camou is the Hispanic Coordinator for the Families of America method of Natural Family Planning. Working half-time from home, she teaches FAF classes and is a certified instructor and trainer with Families of America.
Peggy Frei, an instructor, former board member and Director of the PNFPC from 1999 to 2007 remains dedicated to NFP as a private instructor as well as overseeing instructor training for the NWFS Sympto-Thermal Method.
Rachel Duke is our occasional data record keeping volunteer.