Meet the Seminary Staff

Throughout your journey of formation, Holy Cross priests and brothers provide support and assistance to help you discern God’s call.

Fr. Michael Mathews, C.S.C.

Rev. Michael Mathews, C.S.C.

Postulant Director, Moreau Seminary

Entering Old College in the fall of 1990, Fr. Michael studied history and theology at the University of Notre Dame and graduated in 1994. He received his M.Div. in 1998, professed final vows that August, and was ordained in April of 1999. He was assigned to St. Joseph Church in South Bend and served there as a deacon and priest for three years. From 2001-2013, Fr. Michael served as pastor of Holy Cross and St. Stanislaus Parish in South Bend. He then served in the District of East Africa from 2014-2021, working with postulants and teaching English and theology at Queen of Apostles Seminary in Jinja, Uganda. In July of 2021, Fr. Michael began his current ministry of working with postulants at Moreau Seminary at Notre Dame, Indiana.

Fr. Jim Gallagher, C.S.C.

Rev. Jim Gallagher, C.S.C.

Superior & Rector, Moreau Seminary

Fr. Jim Gallagher, C.S.C., was born and raised in Indiana and grew up around many Holy Cross priests. He earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Notre Dame, then worked for two years in Colorado Springs as a civilian contractor on an Air Force base prior to entering formation in Holy Cross. During that time, he attended Holy Cross’ Sacred Heart Parish in Colorado Springs, where he assisted as a catechist. He professed final vows in the Congregation of Holy Cross in August of 2006 and was ordained to the priesthood in April of 2007. Before serving at Moreau Seminary, Fr. Jim served the Congregation in the Office of Vocations, as well as in Residence Life and Campus Ministry at the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon.

Rev. Jeffrey Cooper, C.S.C.

Novice Master, Holy Cross Novitiate

Fr. Jeff Cooper, C.S.C., was born and raised in Ohio. After completing his B.A. and M.Div. at the University of Notre Dame, he professed perpetual vows in Holy Cross in 1993 and was ordained a priest in 1994. Over the years, Fr. Cooper has served primarily in the western states of California, Colorado, and Oregon engaging in parish, formation, and academic ministries. After serving as Assistant Novice Master in Cascade, Colorado, he completed a Ph.D. in Christian Spirituality at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California in 2011. He then went on to teach theology at the University of Portland (Oregon) before serving as Director of Postulants at Moreau Seminary. Fr. Cooper began his role as Novice Master in 2022. Fr. Cooper is also a certified Spiritual Director.

Fr. Karl Romkema, C.S.C.

Rev. Karl Romkema, C.S.C.

Director, Old College Undergraduate Seminary

Fr. Karl Romkema, Jr., C.S.C., graduated with a B.A. in philosophy and theology from the University of Notre Dame in 2013, where he also earned his M.Div. in 2018. He entered Holy Cross in 2009 as a collegian. He made his First Profession of Vows in August of 2014 and was ordained in April of 2019. Prior to joining the Old College staff as director, he served as Associate Pastor at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church in Austin, Texas.