We are created to connect.  We, as human persons, are relational beings.  God created us for relationship - relationship with Him and with one another.  Here, in relationship - in community, our humanity flourishes.  Here, we find true happiness.  Made for More is a video-based resource created to aid adults in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux grow in authentic Christian community.  

Made for More is the first of several new video based resources that the diocese will be offering for adults.  These resources are designed to help us grow in the art of living - an art that is learned in relationship with GOD and each other.  This first resource, Made for More, will help us unpack the subject of community, and more specifically, Christian community.

What is community?
How is Christian community unique from other types of community?
What good can Christian community bring to me?  
How do I experience this type of community?
What do I do when I experience obstacles in my community?

Made for More includes seven 20-minute video sessions that cover these questions and many others on the topic of Christian community.  Questions to support small group discussion can be found under each video as well as on the 'Facilitator Support' page.   Made for More also includes resources for a retreat which consist of three additional video sessions, as well as a group activity that follows each retreat session.  The weekly sessions are as follows below.  

Session 1: Why Community?
Session 2: God for Us
Session 3: Made for God
Session 4: Made for Each Other
Session 5 : What is Christian Community?
Session 6: Obstacles to Community

Retreat Talk 1: Time to Pray 
Retreat Talk 2: Seeing Each Other 
Retreat Talk 3: Committed to Community

Final Session: What's Next?

This resource was intentionally designed for the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.  This resource is free of charge for all people within the diocese.  If you are interested in making use of this particular resource and you are from another diocese, please check back with us in the future.  As we move forward with new resources for adult formation in our diocese, it is our hope to discern sharing these resources with the Universal Church. 

 

The intended approach of using of this resource is within small group discussion.  While meeting in large groups to learn and discuss our faith is certainly very good, we believe that meeting with a small group of people on a regular basis can be even better.  We're suggesting here that a small group be less then 10 people.  

In large group discussion, it can often be difficult for everyone to have the opportunity to share or ask questions.  Because of the size of the group, people often don't get the opportunity to really know one another on a personal level.  The larger the group, the more chance there is of participants coming and going.   With a smaller size, there is more opportunity for deeper discussion, more opportunity for everyone to share and discuss, more opportunity for people to get to know each other.  Here, in small groups of people meeting regularly, Christian community can have a more frutiful space to develop and grow. 

Each church parish throughout the diocese will begin offering new small group based adult formation.  Our hope is that each parish would have small groups of parishioners coming together each week in their homes or at their church parish.  Our hope is that we would all have relationships with whom we can regularly discuss our faith and share our lives.  Our hope is that we would all experience true Christian community throughout our lives.  Our hope is that each of our church parishes would become a 'community of communities' - a Christian community made up of many smaller Christian communities.  We believe that these small group based communities will strengthen and renew our church parishes.

To learn more about joining a small group, click here.

 

As we were planning this series on the topic of community, we thought that it would be most fitting to present this topic in community.  That said, the video sessions each week include a group of 5 people that discuss several themes around the topic of Christian community.  The group are friends and have had the opportunity to minister together in various ways over the years.  The team is as follows below.

 

Paul & Gretchen George
Originally from Marksville, LA, Paul has served our diocese in several ways over the years,
including young adult ministry, evangelization, and through ADORE Ministries.
He is currently serving our new adult formation efforts as a consultor and team member on this video series.

Originally from Lafayette, LA, Gretchen served our diocese through ADORE Ministries in past years.
She serves us currently as a team member on this video series.

Fr. Mark Toups
Original from Houma, LA, Fr. Mark currently serves as pastor of Christ the Reedemer in Thibodaux.
He is also Vicar General of Parish Life for the diocese.







Fr. P.J. Madden
Originally from Ireland, Fr. P.J. became a priest for our diocese in 2004
and currently serves as pastor of St Hilary in Mathews. 







Kristin Neidbala
Originally from a small town in Pennsylvania, Kristin has served our diocese in several ways over the years
and is currently serving our strategic planning efforts at a parish and diocesan level.