Created in Love: a day where women's health meets the heart of the faith | The Catholic Weekly
Philippe de Champaigne (1602–1674; born Brussels, Belgium; died Paris, France),The Visitation, 1643–48. Oil on canvas; 114. 5 × 88. 5 cm, 142. 2 × 113 × 12. 4 cm (frame). Museum purchase, Fowler McCormick, Class. . .
Philippe de Champaigne (1602–1674; born Brussels, Belgium; died Paris, France),The Visitation, 1643–48. Oil on canvas; 114. 5 × 88. 5 cm, 142. 2 × 113 × 12. 4 cm (frame). Museum purchase, Fowler McCormick, Class of 1921, Fund (y1994-17)When Ranin Kanno describes the gap that inspiredCreated in Love, Fertility and God’s Plan, a first of its kind retreat, she names something many Catholic women quietly recognise. “There’s a gap in knowledge and understanding of our bodies in line with what we believe as Catholics,” says Kanno, a Life, Marriage and Family Officer with the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation. “This is a way to inform and encourage women to learn more about their bodies, so they have a foundation for the decisions they make moving forward. ”- Advertisement -The idea grew out of the desire for women to learn more about natural fertility methods, but the day quickly took on a wider purpose. “It’s about gaining confidence and understanding how we were created and what that means in terms of our relationship with the Lord,” she says. A key presenter on the day is Dr Michael Azzi of theNaProLife Centre, one of a team of doctors trained in NaProTechnology, a medical science that monitors and works cooperatively with a woman’s natural cycle rather than suppressing it. For Dr Azzi, the starting point is simple: a woman’s fertility is a window into her whole health. “It’s important for women to be aware of their fertility, aware of their cycle, and aware of any issues that might be going on, so they can get on top of them quickly,” he says. “Our view is that fertility is a sign of overall health. “Lifestyle-wise, diet, exercise, sleep, nutrition, a lot of hormonal and other processes throughout the body can make themselves apparent through changes in a woman’s cycle and her symptoms. ”Faith and medicine in the same roomWhat sets the day apart, Kanno says, is that it does not ask women to choose between good medicine and their faith. “You get both sides of the coin,” she says. “You’ve got doctors who will assist you, guide you and walk with you when it comes to all things fertility” but they’ll also share what the church teaches, and how to stay within its bounds. ”For Dr Azzi, there is no tension to resolve. “Our faith is always rooted in reason, and good science is a big part of that for me,” he says. “Good science is understanding our bodies the way we were created and learning to work with the natural processes more effectively. ”Ask him whether that means a woman’s body has a wisdom to it, and the answer is immediate. “Definitely,” he says. “It helps put her in perspective as a child of God” created and loved. Everything in our bodies has a reason and a purpose behind it, and we shouldn’t ignore those signs. ”A word of hope for the hard roadThe day is also likely to draw women who have walked “a long and painful path” including those for whom IVF has not worked. To them, Dr Azzi offers a message shaped by years of practice. “There’s always hope,” he says. “I’ve seen many people who’ve been through a lot of struggles, who’ve gone through an approach that treats them as just a number or a diagnosis. Our approach looks at the individual, to dive a little deeper and try to come up with an answer. So my message is one of hope. It’s never the end of the road. ”Three breakout sessions will let attendees choose the focus that speaks to them most, including a session on the Theology of the Body led by Fr Daniel McCaughan which will be an invitation to see how learning about our fertility and our bodies relates to God’s intention for us in whatever state of life we find ourselves. There will also be opportunities for Mass and Eucharistic adoration, creating space for participants to encounter Christ and prayerfully invite him into these deeply personal areas of life. ‘Just come’For any woman who is curious but unsure, Dr Azzi issues this encouragement: “Come along and have a listen. There’s no obligation” just see how these approaches can help and put things into perspective for you. ”And if a woman takes only one thing from the day, he hopes it is this: “That she’s created with a purpose, as a child of God and that she’s loved. ”Created in Love: Women, Fertility & God’s Plan takes place on 1 August at St Jerome’s in Punchbowl. For more information click on thelink.