Megan McKenna, a native of New York City has lived, visited and gypsied through North and South America (especially Bolivia/Peru), Europe and a collection of islands: Celtic, Japanese, the Philippines, Singapore, Haiti and the Hawaiian Islands and through Malaysia, India, Marshall Islands, Thailand, Australia and China. She works with Indigenous groups, in base Christian Communities and with justice and peace groups as well as parishes, dioceses and religious communities. She has been on the United States National Board of Pax Christi and in 2002 was appointed an Ambassador of Peace for Pax Christi.  To read more about Megan, click here.

Two NEW publications by Megan!

Just released!

Stifling or Releasing the Spirit?

by Megan McKenna

(Huffington Post – February 20, 2013)

Someone once said that reform can come in one of two ways: shifting around within an existing closed system or shifting the processes of the system so that something that is entirely other can emerge. With the resignation of Benedict XVI, the question of reform in the Church is surfacing yet again. The structures of the Church at the Vatican levels are a tight knit and closed system, especially so when it comes to the transfer of power from one pope to the next. However, the process is not based on anything in the founding years (the first 350-400 years) of the Church. It is a construct of history from the fifth-20th centuries, now “up-dated” with John Paul II’s defining of the process to be followed. It is shrouded in secrecy and the outcome is not indicative of the universal Church as it exists today. To put it very bluntly, the group of electors consists of 117 old men who were chosen by two other old men, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and these old men will elect yet another old man, all clerics.

To read full article, click here.

The Light of Lent through the Gospels

Author and Artist Megan McKenna

“…we are ambassadors for the Light, the Truth and the Peace that is this world’s greatest need and deepest longing.”   Megan McKenna

To Order:

Item # 531-045; $3.50 each with quantity breaks at 10, 25 and 100 + shipping and handling

Click here for more information about this and other Lenten resources available from Pax Christi USA. Place your order on line or by calling our Resource Sales Office at 814-520-6245.

Megan comments on new book cover:

 The photograph captures grey light–a dull morning–coming through bevelled glass and reflecting against a wet–and so darkened adobe wall. I was so startled by the fact that I could actually see ‘something’!  But even more than the interplay of light and dark was the movement that became visible because of their interaction and my immediate thought was–is this what spirit or soul looks like? I was reminded of Pierre
Teilhard de Chardin’s line: “Matter is spirit moving slowly enough to be seen.” I kept trying to wrap my mind around that statement and the
reality before me–and then it was gone….And so I chose this photo for reflection on how our own spirits might be moving through Lent–grey
light, shadows, and dark, and that the interplay could make something visible–something that was always there but could now be seen, if only glimpsed, momentarily.

I was struck by the dancing movement and the constant changing of whatever I was seeing–like light and dark matter in the universe, light
and dark mysticism–awareness of and yet the unknown realities of being faithful–both sides of the same thing–like the back of one’s hand and one’s palm. The photogragh and the seeing were blessings and I was blessed yet again in being able to share it with others.

Megan McKenna Awarded 2012 Isaac Hecker Award

Megan McKenna with her Godchild, Megan, at Isaac Hecker Award presentation.

Since 1974, the Paulist Center Community has presented the Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice to an outstanding North American Catholic. Recipients of the award have included locally and nationally recognized women and men — lay people, sisters, priests, and bishops. Some have been involved in direct service to those in need, others in advocacy work and the transformation of structures and institutions. Many of the recipients have been committed to both these dimensions of social action. Most of them overtly and directly connected their faith and action. All have been committed to building a more just and peaceful world.

Isaac Hecker, founder of the Paulist Fathers, was particularly concerned with the growth and development of American Catholicism. Isaac Hecker and the early Paulists devoted themselves to mission preaching, communication of the Word of God. Hecker’s spirituality involved looking to the heart, listening to the Spirit, and living in America. The Award was named to honor Isaac Hecker.

Text of Hecker Award presentation to Megan, click here.

List of past recipients.

Digital Recordings and CDs Now Available!

F. Gerald Martin Pastoral Ministry Conference

Rooted in Our Tradition:

Growing Our Future

The 2011 F. Gerald Martin Pastoral Ministry Conference focused on key issues of importance viewed through the lens of justice. Within this context and for the good of us all, including the Church and the World, we focused on: Women, Sexuality, Culture, Race, City, Power, Medical Advances and more.

With wonderfully wise presenters (Megan McKenna, Fr. Tom Lumpkin, Dianne Bergant, C.S.A., Fr. Mark Miller,  Jesse Cox, Elena Herrada, and Bishop Thomas Gumbleton) as our guides and gardeners, we took up the challenge and grounded our exploration in our Biblical and Lived traditions. Then, considering the many terrains, obstacles, and pathways, seeds were planted. We grew in mind and heart with a greater understanding of these complex realities and concerns. Together, we probed the soil as we considered how best to sow seeds of justice and tend to the nurturing of hope. Fed with the Word and the Fruit of the earth and vine, we were properly fortified to meet the future with a renewed and deepened sense of purpose rooted in Faith and to go out and be justice in our communities and to share the harvest of our labor.

For more information and an order form, click here.

Reflections on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

Spirituality and Practice is connected to a group of sensitive, wise, and articulate Living Spiritual Teachers, some of whom have graciously contributed reflections for this anniversary observance.  Links to Megan’s articles are found below:

• All My Relations
• Sharing the Gift of Peace Pie

Megan McKenna Book

receives 2011 Catholic Press Award

A recent book by Professor Megan McKenna, has just received an award from the Catholic Press. The book, This Will Be Remembered of Her, has been awarded THIRD place in the SPIRITUALITY Category of the 2011 Catholic Press Awards.

The Committee said, “Megan McKenna has been a theologian and storyteller in our Christian community for the last 40 years. Here she brings together stories from various traditions and true life stories that promote an inspirational vision of dedication and justice within the Christian church.”

 Purchase photos from Megan’s travels!

 A large number of beautiful new images have been added to Megan’s Gallery and are available in a variety of print sizes.  To view and for ordering information, click here .