I appreciate your inquiry and the invitation to speak at your event. It is an honor to be considered, and I commend the work you are doing for your community.

 

I wish to convey that I am open to such invitations and carefully consider them. However, I have come to understand that it is essential for me to assess each potential speaking engagement within the context of discernment.

 

Due to the intense ongoing rebuilding from Hurricane Ida and our rapidly growing mentoring within the Ministry for Priestsly Support, I strive to minimize time away from Grand Isle. While I accept invitations to travel and speak, I carefully discern that the event justifies the time away, not only from a spiritual and pastoral perspective, but also from a practical one.

 

In this regard, I approach my speaking considerations within broader professional standards. I use a more thorough discernment tool that helps me evaluate whether the time away from my parish, along with the associated coverage costs, can be responsibly justified.

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If you are interested in starting a conversation, please email me at mtoups@me.com.