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Romeoville, IL — Nearly 300 families gathered at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL from June 27-30, 2004, and were re-energized in their dedication to the Natural Family Planning (NFP) lifestyle. The occasion of their meeting was the biennial convention of The Couple to Couple League International (CCL), the nation’s largest provider of NFP education to couples. The over 1,100 attendees had traveled from 35 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico and Puerto Rico to be part of what has become a very popular event for the families associated with CCL.

Organized and planned by CCL volunteers from six local chapters, the convention, themed "Open Your Heart to God's Plan," presented a mix of national and local speakers. Nationally known faculty included Steve Wood, founder of St. Joseph’s Covenant Keepers; author Janet Smith, Ph.D.; Steve Koob of One More Soul; radio host and author Coleen Kelly Mast; project Rachel founder Vicki Thorn; lactation expert Linda J. Smith; and Theology of the Body presenter Katrina Zeno. Among the local speakers were Mary-Louise Kurey of the Respect Life/Pro Life Office for the Archdiocese of Chicago, a chastity/pro-life author and former Miss America finalist; Dr. Mayer Eisenstein of Home First, a group of Chicago-area obstetricians and host of a local radio show; and Father Tom Koys, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church and pro-life author. This wide-ranging group presented a combination of main talks and workshops that were inspiring and practical in their support of marriage, parenting, nutrition and natural family planning methods.

Most convention attendees were certified Teaching Couples, Promoters, or members of CCL. The Couple to Couple League was founded by John and Sheila Kippley in 1971 to provide instruction on the highly effective Sympto-Thermal Method of natural family planning (NFP), ecological breastfeeding, and the moral issues surrounding the use of NFP. The convention is an opportunity for volunteers to recharge their batteries, sharpen their teaching skills, and share strategic ideas and successes with volunteers from other parts of the country.

The 288 families who attended brought with them 568 children who were treated to their own mini-convention and childcare themed "Purity for the World." The various children’s groups enjoyed age-appropriate activities, inspirational talks and performances such as Jelly Bean the Clown, former Vietnam Prisoner of War (POW) Captain Guy Gruters, Jack Kaufmann's environmental program Creation Awareness, and retired Joliet Bishop Roger Kaffer's humorous and insightful reflections, in addition to pony rides, outdoor play, crafts and music.

More information on CCL Convention 2004 can be found at http://convention2004.ccli.org. To learn more about the CCL organization and the Sympto-Thermal Method of Natural Family Planning, visit www.ccli.org.

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