After graduating from Duke University, Michael spent a year sharing life with the poor as a missionary in Brazil, and another working with the homeless in Philadelphia . He earned his MTS and PhD in theology from the John Paul II Institute at the Catholic University of America. Before coming to SJI, Michael taught theology at Loyola University Maryland, Georgetown University, and the Academy of the Holy Cross. His work has been published in such theological journals as New Blackfriars, Irish Theological Quarterly, Gregorianum, and Angelicum.