Chaplains & Staff
Father Alexei Anthony Michalenko
Father Alexei is a transplanted New Englander from Adams, MA and has lived in the DC metropolitan area since 1961. He graduated from The Catholic University of America, where he earned his B.A. in Philosophy in 1965 and his M.A. in Theology in 1969. Father Alexei, who was ordained to the priesthood according to the Byzantine-Slav Rite in 1968, subsequently studied in Rome, Italy where he earned a post-graduate degree in Eastern Church Studies at the Pontifical Oriental Institute while residing at the Russian College.
He completed an M.S. in Psychology, specializing in Pastoral Counseling at Baltimore's Loyola College in 1984 and that same year assumed the post of full-time chaplain at Georgetown Law, where he completed his counseling internship. He is a priest of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy (Diocese) of Phoenix, AZ and ministers in both the Byzantine and Roman Catholic traditions.
Father Alexei celebrates Mass on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and from Monday to Friday at 12:15 p.m. in St. Thomas More Chapel at the Law Center. He is available for counseling, spiritual direction, sacrament of reconciliation and marriage preparation. He is also a director/guide for the Prayer-in-Daily-Life retreats and a facilitator for the Lawyers in Balance program. He is available to students, faculty, and staff for wedding preparation and planning.
Michael Goldman
A Georgetown University Law Center graduate and a lawyer in a previous career, Michael has been the Jewish Chaplain for the Law and Medical Centers since August 2002. He has been a student of Judaism for his adult life and has taught numerous courses on Judaica, including courses at Georgetown Law and Medical Centers. Michael is enthusiastic about his career change to Jewish Chaplain and enjoys sharing his enthusiasm with students, administrators, staff, and faculty.
Sister Dorinda Young, SSJ
Sister Dorinda is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Erie, PA, has been a Roman Catholic Chaplain at Georgetown University since 1982. She began full-time in the School of Nursing, where she developed Faculty Discussion Groups centered on prayer and spirituality, as well as Days of Recollection for the nursing students. She was a Director for both the Agape and Silent retreats. In 1989, she became a part-time Roman Catholic Chaplain Law Center and began a full-time ministry in 1993 when she move into the Gewirz Student Center as Chaplain-In-Residence. Her particular interests are facilitating the on-campus Prayer-in-Daily-Life retreats, prayer and spirituality, women's issues, marriage preparation and personal and faith counseling. Sister Dorinda has her B.S. degree from her community's college, Villa Maria in Erie, PA, and her M.A. in Religious Education with a concentration in Campus Ministry from Fordham University. She is a current member of Spiritual Directors International.
Reverend Eric Doolittle
Rev. Eric Doolittle has joined the Georgetown Law community to serve as the Interim Protestant Chaplain. While his roots are in the mountains of East Tennessee, Rev. Doolittle has studied in the Midwest, ministered though music in Wyoming and Northern Virginia, travelled and lived in Africa and Europe, and obtained his Masters of Divinity through Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. Since his ordination as an Elder in the United Methodist Church, he served as a church pastor to several congregations in East Tennessee and as the chaplain at Hiwassee College. He lives in Elkridge, MD with his wife, Ann, and their young children, Matthew and Sophia. Rev. Doolittle is pleased to be back in the DC area, and feels privileged to be invited to join the Georgetown Law community as part of the Campus Ministry team.
Imam Yahya Hendi
Imam Hendi is the Muslim chaplain at Georgetown University, the first American university to hire a full-time Muslim Chaplain. Imam Hendi is also the Imam of the Islamic Society of Fredrick and is the Muslim Chaplain at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. He servers as a member and the spokesperson of the Islamic Jurisprudence Council of North America. He is an adjunct faculty member at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Imam Hendi holds a Master's degree in Comparative Religions from Hartford Seminary in Connecticut and is currently working on his Ph.D. in Comparative Religion. In May 2002, Imam Hendi was selected by Hartford Seminary to receive its annual "James Gettemy Significant Ministry Award" for his dedication to his Ministry and for his work to promote peace-building between people of different religions.
Imam Hendi has written numerous publications on many topics, including women in Islam, women and gender relations in Islam, the coming of the Messiah, and religion and Islam in the United States. He has presented a multitude of interfaith and general lectures in the United States, Asia, Europe, central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East in the last eight years. He was one of the Muslim leaders who met with the President of the United States in the aftermath of September 11 tragedy. Hoping to create positive relationships between the followers of the three Abrahamic religions, Imam Hendi often visits and lectures at churches and synagogues. He also serves on national and international interfaith councils.
Imam Hendi offers Muslim retreats. He often leads Qiyamul-lail prayer and Jum'ah (Friday services). He also counsels students on academic, professional, and social issues. Imam Hendi believes that only with love and education can the world be a better place to live in.
