FR. MARK TOUPS
Ordained in 2001, Fr. Mark Toups is a Catholic priest of 22 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 both in internal forum spiritual direction and external forum mentoring.
He has served as an adjunct faculty member for the Institute for Priestly Formation in training diocesan priests as spiritual directors, as well as program co-coordinator for the Spiritual Exercises, 30-day retreat. He has directed 34 priests and seminarians through the 30-day retreat and over 200 priests and seminarians during 8-day retreats.
He has served the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in executive leadership as Vicar General or Chancellor from 2015-2022, as well as Director of Vocations and/or Seminarians from 2003-2015.
He has authored 12 books and four eight-week video series. He most known for his Ascension resources Oremus: A Catholic Guide to Prayer, the Rejoice! Advent series and Lenten Companions.
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 both the Spiritual Exercises, 30-day retreat and 8-day retreat. In addition, she provides external forum consultation, mentoring, and coaching.
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 on-going 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 clinical environments.