Fr. Gregory Gay, CM writes… “I have named Father Tom McKenna as Director for the new Province of St. Louise for six years.  He has indicated his willingness to accept this new role.

Father McKenna was born June 11, 1943, entered the Congregation of the Mission June 12 1962, was incorporated in the Congregation June 13, 1967 and ordained May 30, 1970.  Tom has been involved in formation work much of his community life and served as Visitor of the Eastern Province from 1999 to 2009.  He is noted as a good speaker and writer in the areas of scripture and Vincentian spirituality.  Many of the Sisters know him through retreats and conferences that he has given.  To this new role he brings his gifts of intelligence, clear thinking, attentive listening and common sense.”

Further background from the Niagara University website…

A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the vice chairman of Niagara’s board of trustees from 1999 to 2008. Ordained in 1970, he received a master of arts degree in philosophy from St. John’s University in 1973 and earned a doctorate in systematic theology from the Catholic University of American in 1982. For 10 years, Father McKenna taught spirituality as a member of the department of theology at St. John’s. He has also taught at Tangaza College in Nairobi, Kenya.

Father McKenna is the author of several articles that have been published in theological journals and has written one book, titled “Praying with Vincent de Paul,” a series of meditations on Vincent’s spirituality.
In 2002, Niagara honored Father McKenna for his service to the Vincentian Community by awarding him the honorary degree of Doctor of Pedagogy.