Meet the IRL Staff

Our staff are here to serve you, from coordinating the Annual National Meeting in Mundelein, Illinois each Divine Mercy weekend, to assisting persons who are discerning their God-given call to a vocation to the priesthood or religious life through our comprehensive services, events and materials such as spiritual books, audio conference talks and a variety of leaflets to help nurture your Roman Catholic vocation journey.

The IRL was founded by the late 'Servant of God', Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. and Rev. Edmund F. McCaffrey, Obl.S.D., Ph.D. and our staff are committed to our founders mission. Our office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday.

Jeff Karls

Executive Director

Jeff was President of Magdalen College (now Northeast Catholic College) for 13 years. Currently, he is the Principal of Blessed Trinity School in Lodi, Wisconsin, and Vice-President of the Orate Pastoral Liturgical Institute. Jeff is married and is the father of ten children.

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Rev. Thomas Nelson, O. Praem.

National Director

Father Nelson is a priest of St. Michael's Abbey in Silverado, California, a community of Norbertine Canons. He has a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

Anne Tschanz

Anne is a graduate of St. Mary's College and worked 22 years with the IBM Company before joining the staff of the IRL. In addition to working in the IRL office, she is a contributing writer for Religious Life magazine and has also authored a book titled, A Spiritual Pilgrimage to France.

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Rev. Brian Mullady, O.P.

Theological Consultant

Father Mullady O.P.,  is a nationally known Dominican priest, Retreat Master and Teacher. He has a doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.