PEARL AND THISTLE
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    • Natural Family Planning- Single Women
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An innovative approach to lifelong body literacy for Catholics. 
Inquire about NFP Bookings for 2022
“The human body speaks a language of which it is not the author.”
- JPII, TOB 104:7
The Church's teaching on marriage and Natural Family Planning is beautiful... but demanding, and counter-cultural to say the least. In my years of teaching as an NFP instructor, it is clear that the vast majority of us were not taught about the rich Language of our Bodies when we were growing up, specifically as that language relates to the concept of body literacy. And most of us found little ongoing support for it when we did. 

As girls, we weren't taught about the intricate process of the menstrual cycle, including:
  • how various hormones interact
  • what changes to expect throughout your different cycle phases
  • why we have period bleeds and what they consist of
  • how to know if your cycles and bleeds were "normal"... and what to do if they weren't
​
When we finally we encounter body literacy through Natural Family Planning, we rush to learn everything we can in a protracted amount of time before our wedding. We try to become body-literate, but the simple fact of the matter is: literacy takes time. 

We need a lifelong learning model for body literacy: something which introduces us to the Language of the Body from the very beginning, and empowers us to keep learning and find support for the rest of our lives! 

At Pearl & Thistle, we empower Catholics to share the Language of the Body with their children, friends, spouses, and parish communities.

We believe that by creating a culture of lifelong learning, respect, and care for our bodies, we can all learn to "read" in our bodies the Truth of who God made us to be. ​

OUR INNOVATIVE MODEL: 


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Stage 1: CYCLE PREP

Cycle Prep was a 2021 OSV Challenge Finalist! Learn more here
Pearl & Thistle's Cycle Prep course enables parents to share the Language of the Body  with their daughters through scientifically-accurate information that builds a positive narrative around cycles and periods.  Self-paced videos and a library of resources enable parents and daughters to be prepared, together!
Learn More
Curso en Español

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Stage 2: Charting for Girls

Introduce your daughter to cycle charting without specifically looking for indicators of fertility. This self-paced learning guide begins with the "Basic Guide" to charting (for girls within the first 3-4 years of cycling) and follows with the "Advanced Guide" to charting which will help girls identify ovulation as a sign of health!
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Guía en Español

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Stage 3: ​Charting for Single Women

Single women, including those in religious life, are welcome to receive instruction in the Boston Cross Check method to learn how to identify fertility patterns for self-knowledge and health. Learn more about specific programming we offer for groups, to help young women share this knowledge with friends!
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Pearl & Thistle is proud to be a friend of Read Your Body and offers 3 months of free app access with all charting packages. Learn more today!

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Stage 4: ​Natural Family Planning

Pearl and Thistle offers personalized instruction in the Boston Cross Check™ method of fertility management. Couples can learn about the concepts of combined fertility, mutual discernment, and shared charting practices with NFP.
Learn More
Pearl & Thistle is proud to be a friend of Read Your Body and offers 3 months of free app access with all charting packages. Learn more today!

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And beyond!: NFP Ambassador Training

 Christina has a passion for equipping Catholic parishes to be their own source of community and resource support for NFP. Her unique NFP Ambassador Training program equips lay people with general resources and information to share about NFP, and guides them to craft their personal NFP ministry plan for their parish!
​
Learn More

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Subscribe to get all the latest Pearl and Thistle news by email, plus *special priority access* to NFP and body literacy events! General newsletters go out twice a month.
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​*BONUS!* When you sign up, this month, you'll automatically get a free download:
​"Praying the Rosary with Our Bodies"

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    • ABOUT
      • About the Name
      • Meet the Team
      • Contact
      • Writing + Media
    • FOR PARENTS
      • Catholic Connections Videos
      • CYCLE PREP
      • Charting for Girls
      • CYCLE PREP- en espanol
      • Leyendo tu Ciclo para Chicas
    • FOR WOMEN
      • Natural Family Planning- Single Women
      • NFP Ambassador Training
    • FOR COUPLES
      • Natural Family Planning
      • BCC Structure and Fees
      • Working With Christina
      • FAQs
      • NFP Ambassador Training
    • FOR PARISHES
      • CYCLE PREP for Groups
      • NFP Ambassador Training
      • NFP Parish Planning Packet
      • Printable Bundle
    • Shop
    • Blog