Fr Denis W. Martin, Priests of 1928, Brisbane, 2003, pp 94-95:
Mons. Michael McKenna

'He was always the complete priest.' So it was said of Michael Morrisey McKenna, born in Brisbane, educated at Nudgee College and ordained at All Hallows, Dublin, in 1913.

His first few years were spent at Maryborough, Chaplain at the Enoggera Military Camp and at the General Hospital. In 1917 he became the first rector of St Leo's University College until 1921 when he transferred to Rosewood as Parish Priest.

In 1927 he was transferred to St Patrick's in Toowoomba as Parish Priest. This title lasted only for two years as from 1929 he was Administrator of the Cathedral under Bishop Byrne. But that wasn't all, for he was also made a Domestic Prelate with the title Monsignor and Vicar-General of the Diocese. He was at the Cathedral until 1935 and in those years the Cathedral was completed, and both Downlands and St Ursula's Colleges had been founded.

The rest of Mons. McKenna's life was spent as Parish Priest of Clifton, 1935-1974. The presbytery became a centre of hospitality for visiting clergy, whether they were passing through, attending informal meetings or just socialising. The walls of the main room were hung with dozens of photos of groups of the local clergy, and Mons. was rarely seen without his cassock cum cape.

In a tribute to Mons. McKenna in The Leader, Eddie Concannon provided a fine character sketch. Among other things he wrote:

'Given talents above the ordinary, a commanding presence, a remarkable personality, and a very distinctive style, Mons. McKenna contributed a great deal to the Church in the spiritual, intellectual and social life of the Diocese. He was one of the most senior and highly regarded priests in Australia whose long ministry in Brisbane and Toowoomba spanned a period of enormous changes. He was always the complete priest. In the pulpit, in public addresses and in private conversation, this deep-seated conviction was always his most outstanding quality. For him, Priesthood was always the first, greatest and noblest of all the professions. Twice he ruled the Diocese as Vicar Capitular.

'There are some few people, very few, with a personality which is highly exceptional and even unique: the impressions they make on others, the hidden source of their influence on all classes and age groups, that indefinable charm or strange magnetism or that difference, that complete individuality. These are some of the elements so mixed in them which comprise the mysterious "aura" which surrounds them, and Mons. McKenna certainly belonged to this rare group.

'And there was always an old world courtliness about him, deep concern for, and appreciation of the finer side of life, rare sensitivity in little things otherwise so easily forgotten or ignored, like words of encouragement for something well done, or the insistence at all times on the demands of courtesy. These and many similar traits are the facets of a deeply human and at the same time of a solidly spiritual character.'

Mons. Michael McKenna died at Toowoomba's Lourdes Home on 7th December 1974. His funeral was attended by an unusually large number of clergy. Bishop Brennan likened the priestly character of Mons. McKenna to that of the model for all priests as outlined in the Documents of Vatican II. The funeral proceeded to Toowoomba Cemetery.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Martin.)

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Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rt Rev Monsignor Michael Morrissey McKenna, died 7 Dec 1974

Michael Morrissey McKenna was born at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, to Michael and Johanna McKenna (nee McKey) on 16th September, 1890. He attended St Joseph's Convent at Kangaroo Point, Gregory Terrace, Nudgee College and Riverview College. His Seminary training took place at All Hallows College, Dublin, and he was ordained in that city on 22nd June, 1913, by the Archbishop of Perth, Most Rev Patrick Clune, DD. His first appointment was as Assistant Priest at Maryborough, from 1913-16, followed by positions in Fortitude Valley; St Stephen's Cathedral; Brisbane General Hospital; St Vincent's Home, Nudgee; Mater Hospital; Military Chaplain in the Forces (1916-17); First Rector St Leo's University College, Brisbane (1917-29); Parish Priest of Rosewood (1920-27) and Parish Priest of St Patrick's Toowoomba (1927-29). Under the new Diocese of Toowoomba, he became ADM of St Patrick's (1929-35) with residence at Holy Name Presbytery, and in 1935 became Parish Priest of Clifton. He was made Domestic Prelate in 1930, and was Vicar General under three Bishops. For some time, prior to his death, he was the senior Domestic Prelate in Australia. He died peacefully in Lourdes Home after some month's residence, following a period of infirmity, and is buried in the Toowoomba/Drayton Cemetery. He was known as "the complete Priest". To him, the priesthood was the first, greatest and noblest of all professions. He was intensely loyal to the Church and her authority. He had a personality which affected all people and he was blessed with the gift of old world courtesy.
(Ref. Clerical CV)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.