President’s Perspective

Follow the Science! by Fr. Blaise Berg, STD

Follow the science! More than any other time in the history of the big wide world do we seem to adhere to this “sacred” dictum. Adhere to science we do, as long as it fits our apparent “sacred” needs. But when science reveals something that we do not like, for example, when it means we have to... [Read more...]

One Sequoia After Another by Fr. Blaise Berg, STD

“One sequoia after another!” texted my friend, Fr. Richard McDonald of Kansas (who attended CANFP’s HV50 conference in 2018). Fr. Richard and I were corresponding about the sudden death of Cardinal George Pell on January 10th. Just five days earlier, Pope Francis had celebrated the funeral... [Read more...]

Worldview from Silicon Valley by Fr. Blaise Berg, STD

Last July, my bishop asked me to take on a new assignment as a full-time theology professor and formator at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park. Eleven Catholic dioceses and two religious congregations send 73 seminarians to St. Patrick’s for discernment and priestly formation. While I have learned... [Read more...]

NFP and Sports? by Fr. Blaise Berg, STD

When our Executive Board decided to go with the topic of “NFP and Sports” for this newsletter, I was rather dubious, even if I may have even been the one to suggest the topic in the first place. (I can’t remember to be honest!) I seem to recall throwing the topic out there during a board meeting... [Read more...]

A World in Need of the Truth and Beauty of Our Message by Fr. Blaise Berg, STD

We live in a world where we are bombarded with different messages. I cannot check my phone messages or email on my phone without seeing a news item that screams to me: “Open me! I’m interesting!” A friend sent me the meme on the left. She knew I would find it funny since I am both a bicyclist and... [Read more...]

Following the Star by Fr. Blaise Berg, STD

As I write this column, it is early January. For Christians, the Christmas season is almost over. A week or so after Christmas Day, we celebrate Epiphany when we recall the visit of the wise men or “magi” to baby Jesus. The feast of Epiphany is then followed by another week, more or less, of Christmas... [Read more...]

NFP Usage vs Contraception Usage by Fr. Blaise Berg

From October 13th – 15th, Sheila St. John and I participated in a “NFP Leaders’ Summit” in Baltimore, MD, organized by Dr. Theresa Notare, the Assistant Director for the Natural Family Planning Program at the Secretariat for Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth of the United States Conference... [Read more...]

Ever True by Fr. Blaise Berg

Another anniversary of Humanae Vitae (HV) has come and gone. It seems like just yesterday when so many of us gathered in Ontario, in the San Bernardino region, for our HV50 Conference. It was 2018 and we marked the 50th anniversary of the watershed encyclical promulgated by Pope Paul VI on July 25th,... [Read more...]

St. Joseph: Strong Man, Husband and Father by Fr. Blaise Berg, STD

With this CANFP News dedicated to the Year of St. Joseph, it is appropriate to spend some time reflecting on the husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus, as do our three main articles. To be sure, when it comes to honoring Catholic saints, St. Joseph shoots right to the top of the list. Most saints... [Read more...]

Who Am I? by Fr. Blaise Berg, STD

My family’s 2020 calendar for the month of December featured a photo of me on Christmas Day when I was maybe six or seven years old. It’s clear from the photo that like most boys and girls on Christmas, I was very happy. I must have been doubly joyful because I was sporting my coonskin cap. At that... [Read more...]