Welcome! 

If you're here, it's probably because you're asking questions about how faithful Catholics can teach or learn more about our fundamental biology in a world that can seem so hostile to our beliefs: 
  • How can we educate our daughters about menstrual cycles and periods in a way that's age- and content-appropriate for families of faith? 
  • How can I navigate family planning in way that's consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church? 
  • Is it appropriate for single women to chart, if they aren't using that information for family planning? 

At Pearl & Thistle, we believe
that our bodies are fundamentally good
because God made them that way.

We believe that learning about our biology
and becoming "literate" about our bodies
is an important part of understanding
who we are made to be as creatures.

And while biology doesn't belong to any one faith of philosophy or creed,
how we talk about our bodies
should reflect our belief in their dignity and goodness.
​

Our incremental learning system offers various ways to grow in body literacy, depending on age and state of life: 

Stage 1: CYCLE PREP

​Cycle Prep was a 2021 OSV Challenge Finalist! Learn more here
If you daughter hasn't yet started her period, this is where you'll begin!  Cycle Prep teaches menstrual cycle science side-by-side with important values like respecting the design of our bodies, and creating a positive narrative around the Goodness of cycles. Self-paced videos and a library of resources enable parents and daughters to be prepared, together!

Stage 2: Charting for Girls

​Are my daughter's cycle variations normal for her age? Are her headaches and mood-swings related to her cycles? One way to answer these questions is through learning how to observe and chart menstrual cycles. But at this age you likely want to do so for health instead of fertility, so learning a whole NFP method would be too much! 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!

Stage 3: ​Charting for Single Women

Single women deserve knowledge about their bodies, too! If you're wondering whether your cycles are healthy, if other health issues are related to cycles... or maybe you just want to start charting because you hope to use the information for family planning some day, you're very welcome here! Single women, including those in religious life, can receive instruction in the Boston Cross Check method to learn how to identify fertility patterns for self-knowledge and health. OR you can pick up my brand new charting guide!
Pearl & Thistle is proud to be a friend of Read Your Body and offers 3 months of free app access with all BCC charting packages. Learn more today!

Stage 4: ​Natural Family Planning

Are you newly-engaged and searching for the perfect NFP method? Or maybe you've been married for a while and are new to NFP or want to find a new method. 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.
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!

2023 Events Calendar:
Most of our courses are available as self-paced, digital options. However, Christina also hosts live events! Here's what we've got coming up next:

21JANUARY: 
26th- "Perimenopause Prep: Stages and Signs of Shifting Fertility," hosted via Zoom @ 8 PM ET
28th- Cycle Prep *LIVE* at St. Patrick Parish, MA. See registration page for pricing and other details.

FEBRUARY:
8th- Presentation for USCCB NFP "Office Hours", hosted via Zoom @ 2 PM ET, FREE
9th- "Human Love in the Divine Plan" presentation for Boston Pure in Heart, St. Leonard Parish, MA @ 7 PM ET, FREE
25th- Cycle Prep, hosted via Zoom @ 11 AM ET, $21

MARCH: 
2nd- Parent Presentation, private event for Lumen Verum Academy
14th- "What Parents Should Know About (Pre)Teen Periods: How to Navigate Cycles with Confidence, Together!" hosted via Zoom @ 8 PM ET, $18

APRIL: 
17th- "Body Literacy for Catholic Single Women: Growing in Knowledge and Reverence for our Female Bodies," hosted via Zoom @ 8 PM ET, FREE or paid replay access

MAY: 
9th- A New Vision for Diocesan NFP Ministry, hosted via Zoom @ 1 PM ET, FREE or paid replay access
20th- Cycle Prep *LIVE* in western MA- details to follow 

JUNE:
7th- "Brining NFP to YOUR Parish Community- A Quick (but thorough!) Training", hosted via ZOOM time TBD, $25
17th- Cycle Prep *LIVE* in Lexington, MA 

PLANNED PROGRAMS, dates & times TBD

August- "Body Literacy for Catholic Single Women: Growing in Knowledge and Reverence for our Female Bodies"
September- "Perimenopause Prep: Stages and Signs of Shifting Fertility"
October- Cycle Prep, hosted via Zoom
November- "What Parents Should Know About Teen Periods: How to Navigate Cycles with Confidence, Together!"



Want to bring this education to your community?

​Pearl & Thistle has tons of resources for parishes, school, and other Catholic organizations. Check out our PARISH programs to learn how YOU can bring BODY LITERACY to your community, today!

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