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Pearl and Thistle/NFP Ambassador Training BUNDLE
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Buy now— $167 or 3 monthly payments of $57

Have you ever thought that you were called to help with NFP support... but you aren't sure how to do that?

Or maybe you went to your parish priest, offered to help, and he said, "Sure: what are your credentials?"

Pearl and Thistle is here for you!
This self-paced program is designed to help you: 

  • Discern where God may be calling you to serve with NFP support

  • Understand Church Teaching behind NFP 

  • Become well-versed in various types of NFP and resources​

  • Plan for common pastoral issues related to NFP

  • Build confidence talking about NFP with others

... and to host an informational session about NFP using our resource, "Human Love in the Divine Plan." 

At the end of the course, you'll receive a certificate of completion to show that you've been trained as an NFP Ambassador!

At it's core, this is a discernment program.

Sure: it will give you TONS of helpful information to make you an EXPERT about NFP. But more importantly, this program is designed to help you identify where God is calling YOU to serve YOUR COMMUNITY, and to make a plan directed towards answering that call. 

  • $167 or 3 monthly payments of $57

NFP Ambassador Training BUNDLE

For COUPLES or INDIVIDUALS A certification course to give you all the background information to discern and plan your role as an NFP Ambassador in your parish. Includes "Building NFP Ministries & Support" guide and "NFP Presentation Kit" NFP Ambassadors are equipped to SHARE, SUPPORT, and SPREAD THE WORD about NFP in a way that authentically uses their own gifts to serve the unique needs of their community.
Buy now

Includes 3 additional products

Meet your host:

Christina Valenzuela has been a certified instructor in the Boston Cross Check™ method of Natural Family Planning since 2013. She had over a decade of experience working in parishes and campus ministry settings prior to founding Pearl & Thistle in 2018. This video series is the culmination of her ministerial experience in the field of NFP, as well as her theological training, which consists of an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Notre Dame as well as a Masters in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School. 

She is a life-professed member of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic. Christina and her husband have been married for almost thirteen years and have four children. They reside outside of Boston. 

Preview the First Video:

Want a sense of how the course is presented? Watch the intro video for FREE to hear more about the content, scope, and motivations for this Ambassador course!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

STEP ONE: PRAY & DISCERN

Are you called to "fish" or to "feed?" 
Before you begin, take time to immerse yourself in some key scripture passages about ministry, and discern your unique call in NFP Ministry. 

STEP TWO: LEARN

If you're interested in this course, it's likely that you already know a lot about Church Teaching and different NFP methods, but this is going to give you a LOT of background material to help you feel really confident articulating this information for others. If you've ever wondered: 
  • How do I explain the difference between NFP and birth control? 
  • How have different popes spoken about "grave reasons" for using NFP? 
  • What's the difference between a "biomarker," a "tool," and an NFP method? 
  • What are the most common pastoral concerns I should be aware of with NFP ministry?
... This will be a great resource for you! And even if you already feel really confident about answering these questions, it will be a great chance to feel strengthened in your understanding. 

STEP THREE: MAKE A PLAN

Now that you've discerned your role, let's create a custom ministry plan which honors YOUR gifts, and meets the specific needs of YOUR parish! I'll walk you through the three sections of my parish planning workbook: 
  • Opening up Conversations
  • Ensuring Ongoing Access
  • Providing Financial Support

STEP FOUR: Go do it!

Now that you have a plan in hand, and the confidence to know you've crafted this ministry according to the gifts God has given you, go make it happen!

To give you an extra boost, you also get the COMPLETE "Human Love in the Divine Plan" presentation set, if that makes hosting an Info Session easier (something that not all Ambassadors discern they should do, but is a frequent "ask" from parish staff).

Testimonials

Hear what previous Ambassadors have said about our trainings: 

Elissa

"This course was the perfect way to clarify our direction for NFP ministry in our parish. Christina's experience and resources are such an amazing tool for us to learn from and use in our own ministries."

Jenny

"As someone who barely knew the basics of NFP, I feel that this course prepared me to understand NFP and support others on their NFP journey. It not only helped me from an individual standpoint but also from a church leadership standpoint. I am eager to apply what I learned to serve God." 

Phil & Becca

"We gleaned so much from this course and we feel incredibly prepared to be NFP Ambassadors in our parish and beyond! We have resources galore, a plan, and a great WHY for our mission. We are pumped!" 

How do Ambassadors use this course????

It depends on what they have discerned about where their gifts meet the needs of their community!

Here are just a few things Ambassadors have done:

given NFP intro talks at marriage prep retreats

created couples support ministries

created NFP instruction and supply scholarship funds

taught about NFP in RCIA/OCIA programs

educated priests and seminarians on pastoral issues with NFP

hosted infertility & pregnancy loss support groups

taken responsibility for printing and supplying NFP brochures/flyers

started small group ministries for single women + body literacy

Let's take a more detailed look at the course contents...

Intro: Discerning Your Role!

Pt. 1: My Personal Call
  • 4 mins
  • 106 MB
My Personal Call Worksheet
  • 114 KB
Pt. 2: Fishing & Feeding- Two Modes of Ministry
  • 7 mins
  • 220 MB
Pt. 3: Defining Your "Why"
  • 6 mins
  • 212 MB
My 'Why' with NFP
  • 94.6 KB
Pt. 4: Honing Your Message- Avoiding Common Pitfalls
  • 10 mins
  • 390 MB

Church Teaching on Marriage & NFP

In this section, we will explore three key areas which form the foundation for understanding what the Catholic Church teaches about NFP: 
  • Marriage
  • The Dignity & Meaning of the Body
  • How to Assess the Morality of Actions
Pt. 1: Catholic Teaching on Marriage & Conjugal Love
  • 12 mins
  • 382 MB
Pt. 2: Catholic Teaching on the Body & Morality
  • 11 mins
  • 347 MB
Pt. 3: Digging Deeper- Grave Reasons, Open to Life, & Double Effect
  • 11 mins
  • 429 MB
Catholic Teaching Resources.pdf
  • 215 KB

How Does NFP Work?

Pastoral approaches to NFP must be informed on the science & logistics of family planning with natural methods, including an overview of biomarkers and method types
Pt. 1: Science of the Menstrual Cycle
  • 9 mins
  • 194 MB
Pt. 2: Shared Fertility & Biomarkers
  • 7 mins
  • 160 MB
Pt. 3: Tool vs. Method- What's the Difference?
  • 10 mins
  • 177 MB
Pt. 4: Categories of NFP Methods (with representative options)
  • 6 mins
  • 146 MB
Pt. 5: Efficacy of NFP Methods
  • 7 mins
  • 192 MB
Quick Method Comparison chart .pdf
  • 3.58 MB

Pastoral Issues with NFP

What sorts of issues may Catholic couples face in their use of NFP? How can we make our parishes more responsive to those needs? 
Pt. 1: Practical Issues are Pastoral Issues
  • 5 mins
  • 205 MB
Pt. 2: Four Common Situations to Plan For
  • 11 mins
  • 411 MB
Pastoral Scenarios.pdf
  • 209 KB
Pastoral Scenarios Part 1
  • 3 mins
  • 64.3 MB
Pastoral Scenarios Part 2
  • 2 mins
  • 64.9 MB
Pastoral Scenarios Part 3
  • 4 mins
  • 123 MB
Pastoral Scenarios Part 4
  • 3 mins
  • 101 MB
Pastoral Scenarios Part 5 & Conclusion
  • 4 mins
  • 132 MB

Planning in Your Parish

NFP Parish Planning Packet
  • 4.37 MB
Pt. 1: Overview of Planning Packet
  • 9 mins
  • 385 MB
Pt. 2: Ongoing Access & Financial Considerations
  • 10 mins
  • 388 MB
Pt. 3: Planning for an Info Session
  • 11 mins
  • 517 MB

Human Love in the Divine Plan

Human Love in the Divine Plan- Part One
  • 11 mins
  • 1.04 GB
Human Love in the Divine Plan- Part Two
  • 15 mins
  • 1.18 GB
Human Love in the Divine Plan- PDF Slide Deck
  • 29.9 MB
Speaker Script
  • 2.82 MB
Handout- Next Steps
  • 2.46 MB
Handout- NFP Quotes and Resources
  • 3.19 MB
Method Comparison Sheet
  • 3.58 MB

Amor Humano en el Plan Divino

ESP Info Session Start Here.pdf
  • 419 KB
ESP Amor humano en el plan divino .pdf
  • 87.8 MB
ESP Speaker script.pdf
  • 16.4 MB
ESP Next Steps.pdf
  • 986 KB
ESP Quick Method Comparison chart (1).pdf
  • 1.08 MB

Closing Reflection

What Comes Next?
  • 4 mins
  • 164 MB

Bonus!

Printable resources for you to share with your parish!
Brochure: What is NFP?
  • 2.1 MB
Brochure: What is NFP? (full bleed)
  • 2.11 MB

Not sure you can afford it?

Pearl & Thistle would love to help you request sponsorship from your parish! Simply fill out the Google Form below to submit your information, and Christina will send you a custom letter to provide to your pastor or other parish staff person!
Submit request for letter

Frequently asked questions

How can I prove to my pastor that I have completed this course?

I have a lot of people ask me if I can provide a certificate to "prove" to their pastor that they are qualified to serve as an NFP Ambassador. So I've created a certificate for this course which will be personalized and sent directly to you after you've completed this course! Please be sure to sign up for product emails so you can receive your certificate!

Is this program method-specific?

No! I am an instructor in the Boston Cross Check method, but firmly believe that our Church is best served when couples know ALL their options with NFP. I have tried to compose materials so that they do not favor one method over another. 

Can I share these videos in a group?

NFP Ambassador Training is designed for individuals only. If you have multiple people who would like to be trained, please have each person purchase their own course access. The exception to this is married couples, who are very welcome to train together!

Can I download these videos?

These videos are not downloadable and need to be played through the Podia portal. If you are going to use the "Human Love in the Divine Plan" videos, please ensure that you have internet access in order to do so!

Can I use some of these videos in a class I'm teaching?

With the exception of the "Human Love in the Divine Plan" videos, this course material is intended to be used only by the course purchaser.  If you have questions about licensing any Pearl & Thistle materials, contact me through this page here: https://pearlandthistle.com/dioceses/

Can I get a refund?

Because of the digital nature of all of these resources, I cannot offer a refund. If you are unsatisfied with the course material, I invite you to reach out to me at any time. 

Can I host an NFP Ambassador Training for my parish or diocese?

Yes! I'd love to chat with you about the various options for hosting and/or facilitating your own Ambassador Training cohort. Please contact me directly to inquire!

  • $167 or 3 monthly payments of $57

NFP Ambassador Training BUNDLE

  • Course
  • 43 Lessons
  • Includes 3 additional products

For COUPLES or INDIVIDUALS A certification course to give you all the background information to discern and plan your role as an NFP Ambassador in your parish. Includes "Building NFP Ministries & Support" guide and "NFP Presentation Kit" NFP Ambassadors are equipped to SHARE, SUPPORT, and SPREAD THE WORD about NFP in a way that authentically uses their own gifts to serve the unique needs of their community.
Yes! Sign me up

Includes 3 additional products