Our Mission

During this year marked by Pope Benedict XVI's first apostolic visit to the United States, the Catholic Church is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae (1968) and the 20th anniversary of Mulieris Dignitatem (1988) as well as the papal election of John Paul II (1978). In solidarity with similar convocations throughout the country, the Phoenix Natural Family Planning Center has chosen to honor these events by sponsoring a conference entitled Restless Hearts: Rediscovering the Art of Living and Loving in the Modern World.

On November 7-8, 2008, men and women from around the state of Arizona will gather at Notre Dame Preparatory to reexamine the Catholic Church’s teachings highlighted by Pope Paul VI in Humanae Vitae and further developed in the pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Joining them will be many of the local catechists, writers, and speakers who have brought those teachings to communities of faith; men and women who have proven their talent to translate serious scholarship into practical teachings that the average person can both understand and put into practice. Also in attendance will be students who are preparing to become the next generation of scholars and catechists to continue the important work of studying and making known the Church’s teachings. This unique combination of participants sets this conference apart from many that are taking place throughout the United States during this anniversary year. It also creates the potential for the conference to have deeper, wider, and longer-lasting consequences than any other gathering of its kind.

Those consequences include bringing people to a richer understanding of Humanae Vitae – its vision, implications, etc. – through creative presentations and comprehensive discussions. They also include the chance to help Catholics learn how to spread the Church’s teaching about the dignity of the human body and the human person. Together, we will be taking a fresh look at the Church’s wisdom and engaging in dialogue that will lead to improved catechesis and evangelization. The Restless Hearts gathering will help refine and sharpen the Catholic teaching about human love, the body and sexuality being disseminated to the American public. Most of all, we pray that all those in attendance will be lead by the Holy Spirit to metanoia – a change in lifestyle, a conversion of heart and mind – that will bring each one of us closer to living and loving according to God’s plan in the 21st century.