017 :
27 Dec 2012

A sung commentary to inspire you… Here's something to inspire you not just for today but for the rest of your journey ahead, however long it might last. It is a song composed and sung by Catholica co-publisher, Amanda McKenna, inspired by the insights of Australian theologian Denis Edwards and set against a backdrop of stunning images from the Hubble Space Telescope in full HD quality. [more]

016 :
04 Nov 2011

Catholicism's search for itself… National Catholic Reporter, Editor-at-Large, Tom Roberts, has just had a new book published looking at the future of the Catholic Church. Catholica's co-publisher, Amanda (Milly) McKenna, has read the book and wonders whether Tom is too optimistic, or if time has caught up with him and morale has suddenly dramatically declined since he wrote the book in 2009, or perhaps Americans generally are more optimistic than Catholics elsewhere in the world? [more]

015 :
07 May 2010

The case for Contemporary Christian Music… In recent days David Schütz, has triggered an animated discussion in far flung areas of the Christian community through provocative comments he placed on his Sentire Cum Ecclesia Blog attacking contemporary Christian music and musicians. His comments have been widely circulated in samizdat form by email and various other methods amongst musicians and composers and are generating much heat and discussion. His criticism was directed at contemporary Christian music in general and the As One Voice National Christian Music Conference in particular. This Conference to be held in September has been sponsored by the major publisher of contemporary music in Australia, Willow Publishing, and which we have been promoting the event on Catholica pro bono. For those interested you can read the debate that has ensued on David's own blog HERE. My co-publisher wife, Amanda (Milly) McKenna who is both a musician and liturgical and general composer in her own right, has responded on David's blog but in today's commentary for Catholica she expands on what she has written there. Amanda will be one of the presenters at the Conference and is a member of the working committee of the newly formed Australian Pastoral Musicians' Network. She is employed by the Catholic Education Office in the Diocese of Parramatta as a composer of contemporary Christian and liturgical music and to promote the development of musical standards in schools and parishes, particularly with a view to enthusing young adults through music. Through her publishers, Willow Publishing, she is also a regular presenter of workshops for pastoral musicians throughout Australia in both Catholic and other Christian settings. ...Brian Coyne (Editor) [more]

014 :
08 Feb 2008

A prophetic voice… Many of the original members of Catholica know Michael B Kelly as a friend.He was a frequent participant with many of us back in the days when there was a vibrant and friendly community centred on the CathNews discussion board. Milly relates some of our experience knowing Michael in that context in her review of his thought-provoking new book "Seduced by Grace"which explores the place of gays in society and in the life of the Christian and Catholic churches. [more]

013 :
07 Sep 2007

A view from the pew… For those who know her well, a large part of Amanda McKenna's personal story and outlook on life is intimately locked up with two key formative experiences in her life. On the one side she came from a home where the love between her own parents was something very tangible, beautiful and open. They were people of deep faith very much enlivened by the Spirit of the Second Vatican Council. On the dark side, and unbeknown to her parents at the time, Amanda was brutally raped as a 14 year old by a stranger. She suppressed the entire memory, hiding it even from herself, for decades until this demon could be locked up in her life no longer. It eventually erupted in her life, and her family's life, decades later and required almost a decade of medical treatment, both psychiatric and physical, until she recovered. Reading Bishop Geoffrey Robinson's new book has had special poignancy for her. In this review she shares her impressions of the book… [more]

012 :
15 Jul 2007

Reflecting on the challenges we face in the Church… Milly's reflection today explores the changing nature of our understanding of what being a Christian community is. She presents an optimistic perspective of this time of continuing upheaval we seem to be in… [more]

011 :
08 Jul 2007

Our behaviour does matter! Catholica largely came into existence because of the difficulties in conducting conversations in other places on the internet. In this commentary, Milly, shares some thoughts on internet ettiquette and responsibility… [more]

010 :
18 June 2007

Building a parish in cyberspace? In many ways the internet is turning into the revolution for our post-WWII generations that the birth of the motor car, the aeroplane and radio communications was for our parents' and grandparents' generations. Amanda McKenna almost lives in cyerbspace these days, as does her husband, the editor of Catholica, Brian Coyne. In separate ways a large part of their work today is focused on finding ways in which the net might be used in service of communicating the gospel message of Jesus and building mutually supportive communities. In this commentary, Milly relates two recent experiences that she has found uplifting… [more]

009 :
19 Mar 2007

Using the internet to broadcast some "Good News" II... Milly continues her thought stream on cyberspace and its potentials for broadcasting the Good News. In this commentary her focus is on some of the challenges posed by the net to the more traditional channels of communication we use. [more]

008 :
12 Mar 2007

Using the internet to broadcast some "Good News" I... Chief cheerleader, soulmate, business partner and soon-to-be bride to the editor of Catholica, Milly (Amanda McKenna), in recent days has been reading The Google Story by David A. Vise. Quite part from finding her future partner across the width of a continent through a Catholic discussion board on the internet, Milly is excited about the possibilities of the web for building community and broadcasting the “Good News”. In a two-part commentary she shares some thoughts on the possibilities the web offers. [more]

007 :
18 Feb 2007

“Special Plans” – a new reading of the Annunciation... Catholica is proud to preview a new song by Mick Bezzina and Amanda McKenna which seeks to explore the Annunciation story of Mary, the Mother of God, in more contemporary imagery and musical style. The recording was presented to Dr Bezzina at a farewell dinner held at Rosehill to acknowledge his work as a former director of the Parramatta Catholic Education Office. Michael Bezzina is now working as Adjunct Professor at ACU National in the School of Educational Leadership. [more]

006 :
01 Feb 2007

Catching up with Jesus... To recommence our publishing schedule for 2007 we have pleasure in presenting an extended conversation with Fr Diarmuid O'Murchu recorded during his recent visit to Australia. Fr O'Murchu is in conversation with the publisher of Catholica, Brian Coyne, and Brian's business and creative partner and fiance, Amanda McKenna. [more]

005 :
20 Nov 2006

The art of prayer... The business of asking God for favours seems so simple. What games we play with ourselves, and with God as we bargain and plead. Milly argues we have to learn to let go and trust God to deliver the best response. It's easy to give the advice. Learning how to trust completely can take time. [more]

004 :
13 Nov 2006

Under My Nose Philosophy 101... Milly has been a long time contributor to our forum — and many others besides. In her first "Milly on Monday" commentary she explains her Under My Nose philosophy particularly as it applies to the internet. [more]

003 :
03 Nov 2006

Diarmuid O'Murchu and Amanda McKenna Tom Scott's commentary today firstly points to a fascinating series of interviews Diarmuid O'Murchu has given in recent days to Tom Fox at National Catholic Reporter. Don't miss listening to them. Tom also brings you an exclusive excerpt from Amanda McKenna's new song, One Body in Christ, which is to be launched at a national conference in Canberra in early December for people with disabilities. [more]

002 :
24 Aug 2006

When it's too hard to cry... This audio-visual reflection that has been jointly put together by Amanda McKenna, Cliff Baxter and Brian Coyne. This is not entertainment but a resource we are placing on the web that we hope may assist people from time to time who are suffering pain or deep trauma in their lives. [more]

001 :
04 Jul 2006

Give us this day, our daily bread! Here is commentary at its very best. Veteran journalist, Cliff Baxter uses his pen like a sabre cutting through the tragedy and hypocrisy of the War in Iraq. Amanda McKenna on reading the piece was inspired to take up her guitar and sing the words of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards that Cliff used to introduce his column. You have the benefit of hearing Amanda's rendition recorded early this morning while you read one of the most cutting commentaries you're likely to find in any media. Happy 4th July everybody! [more]