Spiritual Directors for Students

Dan Allen

Associate Director of Spirituality and Service, Alumni Association

dallen3@nd.edu

I serve at the Notre Dame Alumni Association overseeing our spirituality and service outreach. Spiritual direction has been a part of my life both as an undergraduate student at Notre Dame as well as part of the Master of Divinity program. It has been an honor to be part of the spiritual direction ministry on campus for the past few years. My topics of particular interest for spiritual direction include relationships, vocational discernment, marriage and family life, and Franciscan spirituality. While I am originally from Hays, Kansas, my wife and I now live in the area with our four children.

Kate Barrett

Education & Outreach Specialist, Transformational Leaders Program

kbarrett@nd.edu

I have worked at Notre Dame in many capacities over the years, while raising our four now-adult children with my husband. Through my own experiences in ministry and prayer, as well as spiritual direction training through Campus Ministry, I am particularly drawn to accompanying students discerning their next steps, seeking integration of their faith and identity, and exploring the ways God is present in all creation. I'm originally from "Chicagoland" as we say when we're not really from Chicago, and I love reading/talking about books, running, and biking.

Fr. Tom Bertone, C.S.C.

Chaplain to the Sisters of Holy Cross, Formation Staff, Moreau Seminary

tbertone@holycrossusa.org

Originally from New York, I am currently on the formation staff at Moreau Seminary and am chaplain to the Sisters of the Holy Cross residing at St. Mary’s. I have a background in counseling which occasionally is helpful in my sessions with directees, but is not the main focus of our time together. I have helped people dealing with times of transition, loss, and discernment. I encourage people to explore creative ways to connect with God and express their faith.

Annie Boyle

Rector, Pasquerilla West Hall

aboyle@nd.edu

I currently serve as a rector in Pasquerilla West Hall and am honored to walk with students during their time at Notre Dame. I received both my undergraduate degree (PLS) and Master of Theological Studies from Notre Dame and, prior to serving as a rector, worked in Campus Ministry at the University of Portland for a number of years. I especially love to explore discernment and Ignatian Spirituality but enjoy all conversations around faith and prayer. I'm originally from the Chicago area and am grateful to have returned to my Midwestern roots.

Mike Buckler

Director of Student Ministry

mbuckler@nd.edu

I'm a native Floridian who grew up 10 minutes from Universal Orlando. I'm a proud "Irish-Gator" who graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in History and from the University of Notre Dame with a Master of Divinity. I worked full-time in youth and young adult ministry for 16 years, and have been back at Notre Dame in Campus Ministry since Spring 2022. I have been a long-time spiritual coach and am inspired by listening to how God is at work in people's lives. I love going on dates with my wife, playing board games and sports with my four kids, and playing my guitar. 

Geoffrey Burdell

Associate Director of the Echo Program, McGrath Institute for Church Life

geoffrey.j.burdell.5@nd.edu

Geoff oversees the intellectual formation of the Echo program for the McGrath Institute for Church Life where he helps to integrate human and spiritual formation with themes that students have encountered in their studies. In 2015, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Theology from Notre Dame. After graduating, he spent 2 years serving the Catholic Church in Dublin, Ireland through a ministry program called the House of Brigid. On his return to the United States, Geoff spent time in seminary formation with the Congregation of Holy Cross, and upon discerning a different path, he taught middle school and high school theology. He has recently begun pursuing a part-time PhD in Systematic Theology at Notre Dame. Geoff and his wife Megan, a Notre Dame MDiv alumna, live in South Bend with their son, Timothy (1.5 years) and a second baby due in February 2025. In his free time, he enjoys reading mystery novels, cooking, running, playing piano, indulging in all things Irish (especially Guinness!), beer tasting, and frequenting South Bend’s restaurant scene. As a husband and father, he has developed a devotion to St. Joseph and also has a great love of Holy Cross spirituality as a result of his brief stint with the community.

Fr. Lou DelFra, C.S.C.

Associate Teaching Professor, Alliance for Catholic Education

delfra.2@nd.edu

Fr. Ed Dolphin

Rector, Dillon Hall

edolphin@nd.edu

Fr. Ed first met the Congregation of Holy Cross as a middle school student where he was taught by 7 Holy Cross Brothers. Several years later, he felt God's call to both the priesthood and to follow in their footsteps as a Holy Cross Religious. Prior to entering formation with Holy Cross, he worked as a software engineer in the healthcare and telecommunications industries. Fr. Ed believes that God is always present and active in people's lives and he is honored to be able to help people discover God and the deepest longings of their life. Fr. Ed currently serves as the Corgel Family Rector of Dillon Hall, teaches a section of the Moreau First Year Experience Class, and assists with sacramental and liturgical needs on campus.

Brett Perkins

Assistant Director, Evangelization & Religious Education, Campus Ministry

brett.perkins@nd.edu

I have been a campus minister at Notre Dame since 2004, and my primary ministry is in the area of Sacramental Preparation. In this work, I accompany students who are discerning a personal relationship with Jesus while exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic or reclaiming the Catholic faith. I am passionate about walking with students at any stage in this discernment, as well as those who seek to build an integrated life of prayer, or who are wrestling with questions about Catholicism. I also enjoy conversations with those who are just starting out in faith or exploring the possibility of belief in God. I became a Catholic Christian during my sophomore year here, and I hope to help students explore their place in the Body of Christ and what a relationship with Jesus could look like. I believe God desires a relationship of love with every person, and that we are most fully alive when we respond to God in love and strive to live as His disciples. I grew up on a farm in east central Illinois, and graduated from Notre Dame in 2001 (B.B.A., Finance & Theology) and 2011 (M.A., Theology). I love hearing stories over coffee, sharing life with family and friends, pilgrimaging to beautiful churches, cooking and baking, working on my house and yard, and otherwise savoring every season of Midwestern life.

Margie Pfeil

Joint Appointment, Theology Department and the Institute for Social Concerns

mpfeil1@nd.edu
P: 574-520-7745

Rebecca Ruvalcaba

Director of Pastoral Formation, Master of Divinity Program

rebecca.ruvalcaba.4@nd.edu

I am currently the Director of Pastoral Formation in the Masters of Divinity Program. I entered this role after five years of service as the Assistant Director of Outreach at University of Notre Dame Campus Ministry. I received my Masters of Divinity degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2017. I was born and raised in South Bend, In and have been married since 1996.

Diana Salgado Huicochea

Assistant Director of ECHO

dsalgad2@nd.edu

Tami Schmitz

Director of Pastoral Care

Schmitz.8@nd.edu

I have been in Campus Ministry at the University of Notre Dame for over 20 years. I received a B.A. in Sociology from St. Norbert College, a Masters in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in Chicago and my certification in Spiritual Direction from Creighton University. I welcome the opportunity to serve as a spiritual guide no matter where someone finds themselves on the journey of faith. Times of doubt and confusion can be some of the best opportunities for growth and understanding. I have a particular interest in the areas of grief, discernment, and relationships.  I am trained in Ignatian Spirituality. I am originally from Door County, Wisconsin. I love Ireland, pickleball, hiking, the Green Bay Packers and the Amish.

Megan Urbaniak

Coordinator of Ministries, Campus Ministry

megan.urbaniak@nd.edu

I am a campus minister and member of our liturgy team. I enjoy walking with students at any point in their faith journey. I especially appreciate exploring the ways God is present in the real stuff of our lives, grand, small, easy, challenging and everything in between. I am originally from Ohio, but am happy to call South Bend home with my husband, Mike and our three growing kids. 

Mike Urbaniak

Assistant Director of Pastoral Care, Campus Ministry

murbania@nd.edu

I work as the Assistant Director of Pastoral Care, where I have the great honor of accompanying people in whatever is going on in their life, particularly through the eyes of faith. I also get to express this accompaniment in Spiritual Direction. I am interested in really helping people pray with the questions of life and becoming attuned to how God is speaking and moving in their lives. I find great peace in silence and contemplative prayer, but find great joy in helping people uncover their own "prayer fingerprint." I am originally from Toledo, OH. I am a graduate of Notre Dame ('10, M.Div. '14) and find great inspiration from the Congregation of Holy Cross. My wife, Megan, and I have three children who keep us on our toes, but mostly bring us so much joy. I like sports, (golf, in particular), musicals, nature, biking, and so much more.