FR. MARK TOUPS
Ordained in 2001, Fr. Mark Toups is a Catholic priest of 24 years for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in south Louisiana, where he serves as Pastor of Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Church in Grand Isle. In addition, Fr. Mark is co-founder of the Ministry for Priestly Support, where he works with priests in both the internal forum through spiritual direction and the external forum through mentoring.
He has 22 years of experience working with priests and seminarians, specifically in spiritual and human formation, as well as in contemplative leadership and mentoring.
​
He has directed 34 priests and seminarians through the 30-day retreat and over 200 priests and seminarians during silent, directed retreats.
Fr. Mark has over 16 years of experience as a Pastor. He also has 18 years of experience in diocesan leadership, including nearly 10 years as Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.
In addition, he is a seven-time award-winning author of 17 books and resources published by Ave Maria Press or Ascension Press.
KRISTIN NIEDBALA
Kristin was consecrated as a Consecrated Virgin Living in the World on February 22, 2020. She is a co-founder of the Ministry for Priestly Support. She provides ongoing spiritual direction as well as retreat direction for the Spiritual Exercises, the 30-day retreat, and the 8-day retreat. In addition, she provides consultation, mentoring, and coaching for external forums.
She is a certified spiritual director with a particular call to serve the renewal of the priesthood. In addition, she has served dioceses with insights regarding ongoing priestly formation, as well as consultation for contemplative leadership and parish evangelization.
From 2015 to 2020, Kristin served the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux as one of three Co-Coordinators of Strategic Planning and later co-founded the Office of Parish Support.
Prior to moving to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Kristin lived as a missionary with evangelization ministry throughout the United States and England. She is a licensed Occupational Therapist with over 15 years of experience in acute environments.