MOST REV. DAVID L. TOUPS, SThD
Bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont
Most Rev. David L. Toups was ordained and installed as the sixth Bishop of Beaumont on August 21, 2020. The following week Hurricane Laura threatened the Gulf Coast of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. Bishop Toups went out to the Neches River with the Eucharist and prayed. Since then he has stepped out into the community and led Southeast Texas in prayer through his weekday television messages, live streamed Masses, and visits to parishes and missions all across the diocese. He has led the diocese out of the COVID pandemic and invited the Catholic Churches in Southeast Texas to throw open their doors to the communities and welcome people.
Bishop Toups grew up in Louisiana and in Florida. He attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland before entering St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami. He attended the Pontifical North American College in Rome and obtained a Bachelor of Sacred Theology and Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1997 for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, Florida, and served there in various capacities for 10 years.
Between 2007-2010, Bishop Toups served as the Associate Director of the Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington. He returned to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg in 2010 and served as Pastor of Christ the King Parish in Tampa, before being named as President and Rector of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in 2012 where he served until his appointment as Bishop of Beaumont.
RENZO AND MONICA ORTEGA
Co-founders of Two Become Family
Renzo and Monica Ortega are Catholic ministry leaders, podcast hosts, authors, and speakers. They host the popular marriage podcast, Two Become Family (also available on YouTube), and are co-authors of the children's devotional, Go to Joseph for Children. Renzo is also the author of the men's devotional, Go to Joseph. Their online marriage ministry, Two Become Family, has been featured in the National Catholic Register and EWTN's "Life on the Rock" show, and their conversion story has been featured in the documentary St Joseph: Our Spiritual Father. Many of their talks can be found on Catholic Lighthouse Media. Renzo holds a MA in Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. The Ortegas live in Connecticut with their 5 children where they facilitate youth ministry and marriage prep ministry.
ELISA MAZZAROLO
Program Coordinator, St. John Paul II Foundation
Elisa Mazzarolo is a Program Coordinator for the St. John Paul II Foundation where she serves to expand the Together in Holiness Formation series to parishes and schools across the country. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Carleton University. Prior to joining the St. John Paul II Foundation, Elisa spent five years actively involved with a Catholic ministry in Canada where her passion for sharing the gospel and journeying with others through life’s highs and lows was ignited. She also spent four years working in the healthcare sector in both Procurement and HR. Elisa is thrilled to be with a Catholic apostolate, supporting couples and families.
SISTER CLARE HUNTER, FSE
Sister Clare Hunter is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist based in Meriden, Connecticut. Sister serves as the Assistant to the Dean of Human Formation and is on faculty and in seminary formation at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. Previously, Sister served in the Diocese of Arlington as the director of the Respect Life Office, worked in Campus Ministry and taught high school. Sister has been a national speaker on life issues, human sexuality, marriage and family life, and various spiritual topics. She currently serves her Community as a member of the General Council. Sister graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a B.S. in Corporate Communication and Media; the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family with a Masters in Theological Studies and Houston’s University of St. Thomas with a Masters in Education Administration. She is currently a candidate for the Doctorate of Ministry at the Catholic University of America.