WELCOME FR. MARK!

On Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 12:00 noon, Bishop Shelton Fabre released the following announcement regarding pastoral assignments within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

"Fr. Toups, who has served as Pastor of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux since 2018, has been appointed as Pastor of Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Church in Grand Isle."

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LET'S GET TO KNOW FR. MARK

Biographical

• He was born October 21, 1972; he is 47 years-old.

• He was born and raised in Houma. His parents are Prosper and Beverly Toups. He has two brothers, PJ and Philip, and three sisters, Mary, Priscilla, and Diana.

• He graduated from Terrebonne High in 1990 and Nicholls State University in 1994. He went to seminary at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

• He was ordained on May 26, 2001 and has been a priest for 19 years.

His favorites

• Favorite thing to do when he’s not working? He loves to fish

• Inshore or offshore? Wherever the redfish are, but any day with a bent rod is a great day

• Best book he’s read recently? Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad by John Eldredge

• Best movie he’s watched recently? The Way Back with Ben Affleck

• Television, movie, or a book? To relax, it would be a movie; he tries to read a book a month for work

• Most used app on his phone? Bleacher Report or ESPN

Rapid-fire

• What’s been the hidden blessing of COVID-19? Rediscovering time with and for his family.

• What’s been the hardest part of COVID-19? Not being able to celebrate Mass with people.

• Sunrise or sunset? Both, but he loves the sunrise. He’s usually up at 4:00 am.

• Hobbies: Graphic design is a creative outlet. Would love to once again start a garden.

• He’s served as Consultant and/or Vicar General to Bishop Fabre since 2015.

• Friday is his day off. He’s at the Pastoral Center on Wednesdays.

• Email: mtoups@htdiocese.org. Blog: marktoups.com.