Affectionately known in the United States as the Ice Cream Priest, Monsignor Matthew’s passion around bringing hope to Uganda has been decades in the making. In addition to being co-founder of Hope For Uganda, he currently serves as the Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Gulu as well as the Director of AFSS and Rector of SHS.
His passion for all people in Northern Uganda is exemplified through co-founding Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative where he serves as Secretary General. This organization’s mission is to provide an interfaith approach to promote advocacy, mediation, and reconciliation to the more than 1 million people who were displaced in camps during the LRA war from 1994-2002.
The book by Fr. Paul Peter Dr. Rom, A Man with a Big Heart, shares stories about Msgr. Matthew's life and his service to God's people in the most difficult times in Northern Uganda.
Father Paul’s secondary school education began at Sacred Heart Seminary of Lacour during Ugandan’s worst war torn times. His perseverance and love of theology and philosophy ultimately brought him to Rome where he received his Masters in Bioethics and Philosophy at the Pontifical University of Rome. In 2021, he finished his Doctoral Studies in Philosophy in Rome and was awarded his PhD in Philosophy with his thesis: The Rationality of the Christian Faith and the Rationality of Science.
He currently serves as the Administrator of AFSS and Director of AFRUDEC.
Joe originally hails from Springfield, MA and moved to Minnesota in 2018. Having started out in financial services, Joe brought a mix of business acumen and relationship management expertise when he moved into development work, eventually joining Hope for Uganda in 2024. On top of his professional experience, Joe holds a BA in history & American studies from the George Washington University, and an MBA from Western New England University.
Joe lives in the West Seventh neighborhood of St. Paul with his two cats and is a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Paul. Joe is also active in several local Catholic organizations, including the Order of Malta and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In his spare time, Joe enjoys reading, cooking, and is something of a film buff. An avid traveler, Joe is eagerly awaiting his first journey to the Pearl of Africa!
Mark was the founder of WW Constructors, Inc., and served as its CEO for over 20 years. He sold the company and is currently working for VAA, LLC, a multidisciplinary engineering firm serving industrial clients around the world. Mark was introduced to Uganda in 2016 by his youngest daughter who invited him to attend a mission trip with her through the Church of St. Anne in Hamel, MN. He has made 5 additional trips to Uganda. Mark has served on the HFU board since 2017, and in addition to chairing the projects committee, he became Chairman of the Board in 2024. Mark and his wife, Anita, live in Minnetonka and attend Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Louis Park, MN. Mark and Anita have 6 children and 6 grandchildren.
Bill is an orthodontist practicing in the Twin Cities for 44 years and most recently created a group setting with his two sons. He is a member of many professional organizations and is currently on the scientific advisory board and international teaching faculty of Align Technology, the makers of Invisalign. Bill and his wife, Jean, have known the founders of Hope for Uganda for more than 30 years. Bill was elected to the board in 2014. He also serves as a trustee at St. George Catholic Church in Long Lake, MN.
Corrina and her husband Paul have 3 children. They were introduced to Msgr. Matthew and Hope For Uganda in 2001 when he visited their parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka, MN. They made their first trip to Northern Uganda in 2023 with members of the parish, and will return again. Corrina spent her career in finance and risk management, retiring as president of Paragon Strategic Solutions. She then formed Called Forward Consulting, LLC to provide strategic and financial consulting to small and non-profit organizations. She is currently serving on several non-profit boards. Corrina has served on the Hope For Uganda board since 2018.
Nate is a husband, a father of 6, and has worked for +20 years in retail. He currently works for an east-coast retailer, leading the team responsible for purchasing and allocating inventory. Nate and his wife Jenny have been inspired by Hope for Uganda for almost 10 years following a parish visit to Holy Family. They hope to visit Uganda and Sacred Heart Seminary and Archbishop Flynn Secondary School someday!
Joe has been a supporter of the organization since 2006, when his wife Marcia traveled to northern Uganda amidst the conflict with the LRA. He witnessed the effects of war and poverty, but also the faith, resilience and love of the Acholi people. Joe has served on the Hope for Uganda board since 2017. Joe is a labor and employment attorney, serving as General Counsel to a public employee union for Minnesota’s finest public servants. Joe graduated magma cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in 2013.
Jeremy Springer is a Family Medicine physician who practiced in Hopkins and St. Louis Park. He lives with his wife, Nancy, in Eden Prairie. He is a member of the University of Minnesota Medical School Faculty and was program director of the Methodist Hospital/Health Partners-Park Nicollet Family Medicine Residency for over 20 years in addition to being Medical Director of the Continuing Medical Education department of HP/Park Nicollet Clinic. Prior to medical school he practiced as a Physician Assistant for several years in a small town in southwestern Minnesota. In the summer of 2023, he visited Sacred Heart Seminary and Archbishop Flynn Secondary School with his fellow parishioners from Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Minnetonka.
Fr. John J. Bauer OFS is a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, ordained in 2008. He serves as the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka, a long-time supporter of Hope for Uganda. As a board member and spiritual advisor, Fr. John brings his deep faith and dedication to the mission. In the summer of 2023, he visited Sacred Heart Seminary and Archbishop Flynn Secondary School with his parish, where he fell in love with the mission and the faith-filled hearts dedicated to it.
After working as an IT programmer analyst for Northwest Airlines, Karen spent over 25 years raising and homeschooling her children. She helped produce nine full-length high school theater productions for her homeschool coop, including creating the website and being responsible for graphic design of all production materials. Karen has 7 children and 10 grandchildren. She has been a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Louis Park since 1998.
