Catholic Ministry at Georgetown

Rev. Gregory Schenden, S.J., Director of Campus Ministry, guides the chaplains and staff of the multi-faith Office of Campus Ministry in service of its mission as a vital resource to all students and a leading partner in the work of intellectual, social, and spiritual formation across the university. A graduate of John Carroll University, Fr. Schenden entered the Society of Jesus in 1997. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2008 and professed his Final Vows in 2016 at Georgetown’s Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart. Fr. Schenden earned his M.A. in Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago and his M.Div. from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. When not tending to his ministerial responsibilities at Georgetown, Fr. Schenden can be found tending to his own spiritual formation by admiring Mark Rothko’s works at the National Gallery, taking in live music at such DC venues as the 9:30 Club and The Black Cat, or striving to make poetic connections between Gerard Manley Hopkins and Kendrick Lamar.

Dr. Jim Wickman is the Director for Catholic Life. In this role, he works with the Catholic staff and students to animate Catholic programming, liturgical life, and spiritual activities. Having grown up in Chicago, Jim went to St. Louis University to study music as an undergrad, and subsequently earned Masters and Doctoral degrees in theology. He is a proud member of the class of 2020 at Georgetown, with an Executive Master’s in Leadership from the MSB. He spent many years working in parishes and taught at CUA before coming to Georgetown 10 years ago. Dr. Wickman is excited to connect with students around belonging and purpose, identity and meaning, spiritual growth, and going for coffee. He loves to travel, garden, cook, and really enjoys spending time taking students to lunch at the Tombs.

Owen Ruggiero is Associate Director for Catholic Life. In this role, he works to build an inclusive, diverse Catholic community at Georgetown where all feel that they belong and are celebrated. Owen coordinates Catholic liturgy and worship programs, oversees liturgical ministries at Dahlgren Chapel, and guides the Contemporary Choir. He also leads ecumenical prayer in the style of Taizé, works with Catholic student leaders, and serves on the leadership team for Encounter – Campus Ministry’s interreligious pre-orientation program. Owen is proud to be Jesuit educated, holding a BA in Anthropology and a MA in Digital Humanities from Loyola University Chicago. Before coming to Georgetown, Owen worked to engage young people at the intersection of faith, ethics, and environmental sustainability; he also has a decade of experience as a liturgical musician in parish and university settings. Owen’s interests (professionally and personally) include: environmental justice and eco-spirituality, Jesuit education, hiking, New England, musical theater, New York Mets baseball, and museums.

Michelle Siemietkowski is the Catholic Chaplain for Spiritual Formation. In these roles, she directs Catholic weekend retreats, prayer in daily life retreats, evenings of prayer and reflection, and RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). She also accompanies students through pastoral support and spiritual direction. Michelle holds a Bachelor’s in English from Georgetown (1992), a Master’s in Religious Studies from Georgetown (1998), and a Master’s in Pastoral Studies from the Washington Theological Union (2007) specializing in Ignatian spirituality. She has worked at Georgetown for over 20 years – first in the Office Alumni Relations, then for the Villa Le Balze, and now for Campus Ministry in her 14th year as a Chaplain. Michelle loves talking with students about their classes, internships, friendships and spiritual journeys. She also treasures baking for them! Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, running, and traveling.

Lisa Directo Davis is the Catholic Chaplain for Contemplative Practice, John Main Center Program Director. She oversees the Center’s contemplative offerings and leadership formation for the diverse student team. In this role, Lisa seeks to foster a deeper integration of contemplative practices with compassionate action. She has loved serving in university and parish ministry in the States and overseas with the British Jesuits to launch the London Jesuit Volunteers and with non-profits in Sri Lanka and Cyprus, such as Emerge and Caritas. Lisa always aspires to cultivate welcoming spaces where students, faculty, and staff can explore in community or individually, their deepest heart questions about finding a spiritual home within, without, and across faith traditions, navigating life transitions, grief, and purpose. Lisa pursued interdisciplinary studies in Social Behavior and Ecology at U.C. Irvine, holds an M.Div. from Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary with the Benedictines in Minnesota, and earned a certificate for spiritual direction with the RSCJ’s at the Center for Christian Spirituality, University of San Diego. She is certified to teach Ashtanga-based vinyasa yoga. Beyond the Hilltop, Lisa loves time with family, Filipino sweets and siopao, afternoon tea, watching foreign films, and befriending local artisans.

Sister Celeste Mokrzycki, the Catholic Chaplain for the School of Nursing and the School of Health is a Sister of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia.  In New Jersey and Philadelphia, Sister Celeste ministered in various parishes as a pastoral associate for liturgy, family life, bereavement, spirituality, RCIA and young adults. She served on the Newark Diocesan Liturgy Board, the Saint Elizabeth Spirituality Board and the Fig Orchard, an interfaith educational organization and holds degrees in pastoral counseling, art, and a certification in spiritual accompaniment. As vocation director for her congregation, Sister Celeste loved accompanying young adults who were seeking a life of deeper meaning, a sense of belonging, or greater happiness. At Georgetown, she hopes to do the same by offering herself to anyone, staff, or student, who desires to encounter God in the events of their lives, needs a listening ear, or just wants a lighthearted moment.  As an artist who creates paintings reflecting her inner self, she believes art can bring us into a deeper relationship with ourselves, others, and God whether we consider ourselves artists or not. Her hope is to offer creative opportunities to explore the relationship between spirituality and art, release any stress or anxiety or just have fun creating! 

Dr. Russell Weismann is the Liturgical Music Director and Organist. In this role, he oversees Georgetown’s exciting and diverse Music Ministry and serves as a musical liaison for additional events that take place in our campus chapels. A native of Pittsburgh, Russell has a few degrees in music (Doctor of Musical Arts, George Mason University; Master of Music, Yale University; Bachelor of Music, Duquesne University) and specializes in playing the organ. At Georgetown from 2007-2011 and again beginning in 2019, Russell enjoys meeting students who are passionate about the intersection of faith and music and are interested in expanding their musical knowledge and skill. When he’s not on campus, Russ is often seen walking the streets of Georgetown, daydreaming of one day living in Germany. He’s addicted to coffee, struggles with his culinary skills, and enjoys playing golf, traveling, and skiing.