Conversion is the third of several new video-based resources specifically aligned with 'The 5' - the Formation Life Cycle- that the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux has created for adults. These new resources are designed to accompany us on the journey of Christian discipleship and help us grow in the art of living.
Click Here to learn more about the Formation Life Cycle.
The first resource, Made for More, unpacked the subject of community, and more specifically, Christian community.
The second resource, Encounter, helped us better understand Christian prayer and gave us practical tools to aid us in our practice of prayer.
This third resource, Conversion, is designed to aid us in understanding what pulls us out of relationship with GOD and why we leave this vital relationship again and again. This resource will also help us learn what to do with the things that pull us out of relationship with Him.
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.
Conversion includes six 30-minute video sessions that cover different aspects of our ongoing conversion. The 6 weekly sessions are as follows below.
Week 1: The Chair
Week 2: Leaving the Chair
Week 3: Resistance
Week 4: [Coming Soon]
Week 5: [Coming Soon]
Week 6: [Coming Soon]
We have included audio-only versions of each of the six sessions for those that might find it helpful to have an audio-only option, as some may want to listen to it again while driving, exercising, cleaning the house, etc. You can find the audio-only versions under each week's video.
To help us unpack and process the content presented each week, we have created a written resource that accompanies each week's session.
A 5-page weekly Homework Companion is provided for each week's session. This companion includes 5 meditations - one for each weekday: Mon-Fri - that will help us unpack and process what we heard presented in that week's video. You can find and download this 5-page PDF under each session's videos.
We have also included a short video that accompanies the written companion for each week. This short video from Fr. Mark will aid us in working through the companion for each week. You can find that video under the main session video for each week.
We are working on putting all the weekly companions into a small one-volume paperback book. We hope to have this one volume Companion available mid-Lent. Check back for purchasing details. We will send an email to all parish Adult Formation Teams when the Companions become available. Until then, feel free to download the weekly 5-page companions under each week's' video.
Facilitator videos for each session are also provided. You can find them and more facilitator resources on the Facilitator Support Page.
The intended approach of using of this resource is within small group discussion. We believe that meeting in small groups can facilitate more opportunity for everyone to share, more opportunity for deeper discussion, and more opportunity for people to get to know one another.
To learn more about this small-group approach or how to join a small group, click here.
Fr. Mark Toups
Born and raised in Houma, LA, Fr. Mark currently serves as pastor of Christ the Reedemer Church in Thibodaux.
He is also Vicar General for Parish Life and acting Director of the Diocesan Office of Parish Support.