Responsible Parenthood

Parenthood is the outpouring of the marital joy. In their life long commitment to each other, the husband and wife are simply open to a new life. It is the fruit of the profound love they share with each other as spouses. This fruit is accepted by them with great responsibility. This responsibility entails the planning and the spacing of their children, done with great discretion and discernment.

To bringforth children, nature has designed the fertility cycle in every woman. She becomes fertile only once in a cycle. If the spouses would like to take advantage of the days of fertility, then they can plan to go for a child. If they are not prepared, then they can postpone the pregnancy. This is the way the Nature does it. Keeping this fact in mind, it is called Natural Family Planning.

The Responsible Parenthood Department diffuses this knowledge of Natural Family Planning by offering instructions to engaged couples and to the spouses. These instructions are being given at the Centre, at differnet hospitals and for the Programmes organised by the Centre. It normally follows the scientific Billings Ovulation Mucous Method (BOM).

The Department also enlightens the parents and the teachers of various Schools and Educational Institutions on the responsibile upbringing of their children in the different stages of their life. Parenting has been a great challenge in recent times, not only for the educators but also for the parents. Giving different insights in psychology and in human behaviour, this Department has been endeavouring to support parents and teachers (PTA) in their tasks of upbringing the child in a responsible manner.

To learn NFP with a DFSC approved NFP teacher call:
Panjim Office – (0832) 2224140
Margao Office – 8856935395

The Diocesan Family Service Centre (DFSC), Goa and Daman celebrated the Day dedicated for ‘the Natural Family Planning’ on the 16th Sunday in the Ordinary Time, 19th July 2026. This year, it was celebrated at St. Anthony Church, Vagator, Bardez – Goa. The Holy Eucharist was celebrated at 7.30 a.m. of which Fr. Albano Fernandes, the Director of the DFSC was the main celebrant. Keeping in mind the importance of the married couple’s decision with regard to planning their families and the relevant modern concern about the decline of the number of children in our families, Fr. Albano stressed upon the couples gathered for the Holy Eucharist to understand that the Natural Family Planning is a design created by God when He created man and woman in His image and likeness. Reflecting on God’s Word, he said that as sinners we might as couple failed to follow God’s will in procreation of children for which we can ask God’s forgiveness because our God is all kind and merciful. He further stated that to abide by God’s will to bring children to birth through a natural way implies challenges. However, these challenges can be faced with self-control, firmness and courage when each couple remains faithful to their prayer life. Here, he enlightened the faithful about the current pastoral theme ‘Abide in Me’ by encouraging them to be faithful to their prayer life as a couple seeking God’s will in raising their family. When they participate Mass as a couple, recite Rosary and pray together as a couple, he assured them of the grace of the Holy Spirit and presence of Mother Mary accompanying them in their marital journey. And, lastly, he asked them to reflect upon the necessity of seeking God’s will in their marital journey in their mission of respecting human life and upholding it’s dignity and the human will which could be supporting contraceptives and other artificial ways of fulfilling their sexual intimacy. He encouraged the couples to be open to life and be gracious/generous to accept children as God’s gifts through NFP method. He ended by pleading with the couples to raise more than two children when they can afford to have a larger family. 

After the Holy Eucharist, Ms. Perpetua D’Souza and Augusta Cardozo, who are involved with the DFSC for many years and are experienced instructors of the NFP method for couples during the Marriage Preparation courses for the engaged couples, addressed the gathering. They both helped the faithful to understand what the NFP is and its benefits to build a happy, healthy and holy family. Among many other important details and information, they highlighted the qualities of this method in promoting stronger bonding between the husband and wife and the love with which children are embraced and educated. 

He thanked Fr. Marcelino de Souza, the Parish Priest, who gladly accepted the invitation to celebrate this day in his Parish and also for his warm welcome and collaboration to allow his parishioners know more about the Natural Family Planning method. He also appreciated the Parishioners for their precious time and encouraged them to be the evangelizers of the NFP.

Keeping in mind ‘The Natural Family Planning Week’, celebrated all over the world from 19^th to 25^th July 2026. The Diocesan Family Service Centre, Goa in collaboration with the Ayushman Arogya Mandir Primary Health Centre, Chimbel, conducted an awareness session on ‘Natural Family Planning’ method at Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Sub Centre, Merces on 20^th July 2026. The session was delivered by Mrs. Perpetua Dsouza and around 20 participants benefited from this programme.

The Diocesan Family Service Centre (DFSC), Goa observed the special day dedicated to the Natural Family Planning (NFP) at ‘Our Lady of Fatima Church’, Cotta – Fatorpa on 20^th July 2025.

The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist in the morning, presided over by Fr. Albano Fernandes, Director, of the DFSC. In his homily, he enforced the importance of practicing the Natural Family Planning in marriage, not only to plan the number of children in the family, but also highlighted how this method helps the spouses to grow spiritually. He also emphasized the importance of building marital relationships grounded on God’s will, sacrificial love between the couples and attentive listening to God’s Word.

This was followed by an informative and awareness session on the Natural Family Planning and Healthy Parenting by Mrs. Augusta Cardoso and Mrs. Perpetua Desouza both trained faculty in NFP. Around 50 participants benefited from the sessions and each received a certificate of appreciation and participation.

Fr. Jose Carmo Fernandes MFSF, the Parish Priest welcomed the guests. In his ‘vote of thanks’, he said that Fr. Albano’s work for the couples seems to be very enriching. His animation, combined with the Family Service team’s efforts, likely provided a wonderful and supportive experience for the couples attending the celebration of the Natural Family Planning Day in his Parish. Fr. Albano at the end extended heartfelt gratitude to the Parish Priest and his assistant, Fr. Raymond, MFSF for their hospitality and for the opportunity to celebrate this day in their Parish. He also expressed his gratitude to all the participants.

On 13th September 2024 ‘Natural Family Planning’ teachers’ team, Mr. Agnelo Cardoso & Mrs. Agusta Cardoso (couple), Mrs. Perpertua Desouza and Mrs. Francisca Fernandes from Diocesan Family Service Center, Goa delivered an awareness session on ‘Natural Family Planning’ method to the candidates preparing for marriage at the Karwar Diocesan Family Commission, Karwar. Francisca also enlightened the participants on the issues related to Prolife and the disastrous effects of abortion. Around 32 participants benefitted from the programme.

The Parish Family Cell of the St. Francis Xavier Parish, Duler, were happy to host the Diocesan Commemoration of the day dedicated to Natural Family Planning on the 21 st of July 2024.

The programme began with the Eucharistic celebration at 8:30 a.m. during which care was taken to involve various couples from the Parish Family Cell in all aspects of the Mass. The Liturgy, curated by Fr. Albano Fernandes, the Director of the Diocesan Family Service Centre, Goa touched on many aspects of family life that grow as a fruit of practicing NFP. Even the sermon covered how NFP mirrored the message of the days readings to teach us about living our lives as per the will of Jesus, and not just our own way or the way of the world. Towards the end of the Eucharist, one of the representatives of the Diocesan Family Service Centre, Goa Mrs. Perpetua D’Souza shared her experience with Natural Family Planning and spoke about how it had helped her and her husband in their family life as also to grow closer to each other as a couple.

To commemorate the day, a special session was organized to remind and inform couples about the Catholic teachings related to NFP and to put forth the idea of it as a scientific, responsible and mature way of dealing with human sexuality. This was handled by Dr. Rupali Vernekar and Mrs. Perpetua D’Souza, of the DFSC. There was also a young couple from MFC invited, who shared their experiences with NFP and the joys and difficulties they encountered, yet emphasizing on how it really helped them grow to understand each other deeply and enriched their marriage and children too.

Fr. Anthony Fernandes the Parish Priest, expressed his gratitude to organise the day in his Parish, which he said was very enlightening and informative.

The couples attending the programme shared that it was indeed an informative and enriching experience for them, and such sessions were rare, yet very important to deepen the bond of marriage and family.

PROGRAMME ON BREASTFEEDING  AT MERCES

Integrated Child Development Services (Aganvadis), Tiswadi Goa along with the Directorate of women and child development in collaboration with the Diocesan Family Service Centre Goa organized a programme on breastfeeding at Merces church hall, on the 7^th of August 2023. Around 59 beneficiaries benefitted from these programme.

PROGRAMME ON BREASTFEEDING  AT MERCES

Integrated Child Development Services (Aganvadis), Tiswadi Goa along with the Directorate of women and child development in collaboration with the Diocesan Family Service Centre Goa organized a programme on breastfeeding at Merces church hall, on the 7^th of August 2023. Around 59 beneficiaries benefitted from these programme.

PROGRAMME ON BREASTFEEDING AT CURCA

Integrated Child Development Service (6 aganvadis from the Curca, bambolim and Telaulim panchayat) along with the Diocesan Family Service Centre and ‘Community Health Nursing Department’ (INE), organized a ‘ Breastfeeding Awareness’ programme on the 5^th of August 2023, in one of the Aganvadi in Curca in the old Government school near the panchayat. Around 31 participants benefited from this programme. Poster competition on Breastfeeding was also held at the programme.

On the occasion of the celebration of the NFP week, in the Archdiocese of Goa from 16^th July to 22^nd July 2023, The Diocesan Family Service Centre in collaboration with the primary Health Centre Chimbel, conducted a session on Natural Family Planning on the 20^th July at Merces Church hall. 12 young mothers, a few with babies and 3 nurses benefited.The resource Team comprising of Dr. Rupali, nurse Perpetua and Mrs. Augusta Cardoso conducted the session.

Thanks to the medical officer incharge Dr. Jude, PHN Ana, and ANM Suvarna, who did all the ground work. Thanks to the helpers too.

Thanks also to Fr. Arnold for providing us the venue.

The Diocesan Family Service Centre celebrated Natural Family Planning Day at St. Francis Xavier Church, Chicalim on 16th July 2023. The Eucharistic celebration was held at 8 a.m. and the main celebrant was Fr. Albano Fernandes, the Director of DFSC. In his homily, he reflected on the importance of the way God designed how husband and wife should plan or postpone pregnancy by stressing upon the Word of God as the foundation of family life.

Before the final blessing Perpetua explained briefly but meaningful the importance of Natural Family Planning and Augusta gave her testimony and shared how Natural Family Planning helped them in their marital life.

The DFSC thanked the Pastors and the Parishioners for giving them the opportunity to celebrate this day in their Parish.