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{{Short description| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American Religious Sister and anti-war activist}}▼
Sister '''Margaret McKenna''', [[Medical Mission Sisters|M.M.S.]], PhD, (born 1940) is an American [[Medical Mission Sisters|Medical Mission Sister]] and anti-militarism activist. In 1989, McKenna helped to set up New Jerusalem Laura in North Philadelphia to help treat drug addiction.
{{for|the civil rights attorney and academic|Margaret McKenna (academic)}}
{{Good article}}
'''Margaret McKenna''' {{post-nominals|list=[[Medical Mission Sisters|MMS]]}} is an American [[religious sister]] and [[anti-militarism|anti-militarist]] activist. Raised in [[Hackensack, New Jersey]], she earned her PhD in the origins and religious thought of [[Christianity]] from the [[University of Pennsylvania]]. In the 1970s, McKenna began participating in non-violent civil disobedience with the [[Plowshares Movement]], sometimes being arrested or imprisoned for her actions. Her activism has continued through recent years.
 
In 1989, McKenna helped to found New Jerusalem Laura, a [[North Philadelphia]] addiction treatment center that strives to help people recover from substance abuse without the use of medication,<ref name=Thompson /> by substituting community service, discussion, and Bible study as routes to recovery.
 
==Early life and education==
McKenna grew up in [[Hackensack, New Jersey]] and upon graduating from high school entered the Medical Mission Sisters, directlya after[[Catholic sheChurch]] graduatedorganization fromof highwomen schooldedicated to improving world access to health care.<ref name=MMS>{{harvnb|Medical Mission Sisters}}</ref> She earned hera bachelor’sbachelor's degree in English from [[Chestnut Hill College]] in English. When she attended,<ref thename=Kolodziej/> school wasthen a small Catholic Womenwomen's college., Sheand then went on to earn hera master's degree in liturgy from [[Notre Dame University]] andbefore completedmoving heron courseworkto forthe her[[University of Pennsylvania]] and earning a doctorate in Christian origins and religious thought at the [[University of Pennsylvania]]. For her doctorate thesis, she traveled to Israel for the clarity and solitude.<ref name=Kolodziej>{{harvnb|Kolodziej|2006}}</ref>
 
==Activism==
{{Quote box
Starting in the 1970s, McKenna participated in several acts of civil disobedience and was arrested several times.<ref name=Campellone>{{harvnb|Campellone|2010}}</ref> In 1987, she participated in a protests over the [[Iran–Contra affair]] during the bicentennial celebration of the signing of the constitution in Philadelphia.<ref name=Stevens>{{harvnb|Stevens|1987|p=A36}}</ref> In 1988 on Easter Sunday, McKenna and three other [[Plowshares Movement|plowshares]] activists accessed the third deck of the [[USS Iowa (BB-61)|USS Iowa]]. They poured blood and beat on the ship's missile with hammers. At the same time, a banner that read "Follow the nonviolent Christ" was placed on the side of the ship.<ref name=Thompson>{{harvnb|Thompson|2009}}</ref> The group was charged with trespassing and was sentenced to four months in prison. In 2007, McKenna, as well as [[Aaron Weiss]], participated in a "die in" to protest the civilian casualties of the [[Iraq War]] on the grounds of [[the pentagon]].<ref name=JonahHouse>{{harvnb|Jonah House|2007}}</ref>▼
| width = 24em
| align = right
| quote = ''me and Sister Margaret on the Pentagon lawn<br/> with our wrists in a plastic tie''
| source = —"Timothy Hay" by [[mewithoutYou]]<ref name=mewithoutYou>{{harvnb|mewithoutYou|2009|p=8}}</ref>
▲Starting}} inMcKenna thehas 1970s,been McKennaarrested participated infor several acts of [[civil disobedience]] andsince wasbecoming arrestedan severalactivist timesin the 1970s.<ref name=Campellone>{{harvnb|Campellone|2010}}</ref> In 1987, she participated in a protestsprotest over the [[Iran–Contra affair]] during the bicentennial celebration of the signing of the constitution in Philadelphia.<ref name=Stevens>{{harvnb|Stevens|1987|p=A36}}</ref> In 1988 on Easter Sunday, McKenna and three other [[Plowshares Movement|plowsharesPlowshares]] activists accessed the third deck of the [[{{USS |Iowa (|BB-61)|USS6}} Iowa]].and Theysymbolically pouredhammered bloodon andempty beat[[Tomahawk on(missile the ship'sfamily)|Tomahawk]] missile withhousings hammersbefore pouring their own blood on them.<ref name=Ellis>{{harvnb|Ellis|1988}}</ref> At the same time, a banner that read "Follow the nonviolent Christ" was placed on the side of the ship.<ref name=Thompson>{{harvnb|Thompson|2009}}</ref> The group was charged with trespassing, and McKenna was sentenced to four months in prison.<ref name=Thompson /> In 2007, McKenna, as well as musician [[Aaron Weiss]], participatedwas arrested for participating in a "[[die -in]]" to protest the civilian casualties of the [[Iraq War]] on the grounds of [[theThe pentagonPentagon]] in [[Arlington County]], [[Virginia]].<ref name=JonahHouse>{{harvnb|Jonah House|2007}}</ref> This event was referenced in the song "Timothy Hay" by Weiss's band, [[mewithoutYou]], on their album ''[[It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All a Dream! It's Alright]]''.<ref name=Hagerman>{{harvnb|Hagerman|Weiss|2009}}</ref>
{{clear}}
 
==New Jerusalem Laura==
InMcKenna and [[Richard Withers]], a modern-day [[hermit]], both of whom were passionate about [[Desert Fathers]] at the time, asked themselves, "Where is the desert today?"<ref>{{harvnb|Schenk|2014}}</ref> After concluding that "the desert" was the inner cities, in 1989, McKennathey moved to the [[Fox Chase, Philadelphia|Fox Chase]] neighborhood in North[[Northeast Philadelphia]]. There, shethey sawwitnessed the impact of drug addiction on the lives of the residents. SheIn and [[Richard Withers]]reaction, whoMcKenna wasand then living in a [[Hermitage (religious retreat)|hermitage]] on the grounds of the Sisters' [[motherhouse]],Withers founded New Jerusalem Laura toin an attempt to treat drug and alcohol addiction.<ref name=Thompson /> In addition to New Jerusalem, McKenna helped set up the Peacemakers Reflection Center and the Alternate to Violence Project in her community.<ref name=Kolodziej />
 
TheNew methodsJerusalem thatLaura's Newaddict Jerusalemcounseling usedmethods were influenced by the methodsthose of One Day at a Time, founded by the Rev. Henry Wells.<ref name=Thompson /> For the first 60&nbsp;days of their stay, recovering addicts are prohibited from contacting the outside world, must surrender overtheir cigarettes, and must be escorted if they leave the building. During this time, residents occupy their time with chores, community service, meetings, and bibleBible studystudies.<ref name=Campellone /> Less than half of all people who enter the program last the first 60&nbsp;days. After the first 60&nbsp;days, residentresidents's actions are less tightly restricted; however, they are still required to participate in the chores, bibleBible studystudies, and meetings. Residents graduate from the program after 6six&nbsp;months.<ref name=Thompson />▼
 
McKenna feelsbelieves that the reason for the success of New Jerusalem Laura's success is the community. "In a recovery community, you can't get away with it [lying], because it shows," she said. "It forces you to be honest."<ref name=Thompson /> InNearly the400 historyresidents have graduated offrom the program, nearlysince 700its residentsinception.<ref havename=MMS graduated./> Of those, close to seventy percent stayare drugreported to remain drug-free, well above the results of traditional recovery methods.<ref name=MMS />▼
▲The methods that New Jerusalem used were influenced by the methods of One Day at a Time founded by Rev. Henry Wells.<ref name=Thompson /> For the first 60&nbsp;days, recovering addicts are prohibited from contacting the outside world, must surrender over cigarettes and must be escorted if they leave the building. During this time, residents occupy their time with chores, community service, meetings and bible study.<ref name=Campellone /> Less than half of all people who enter the program last the first 60&nbsp;days. After the first 60&nbsp;days, resident's actions are less tightly restricted; however, they are still required to participate in the chores, bible study and meetings. Residents graduate from the program after 6&nbsp;months.
 
==References and bibliography==▼
▲McKenna feels that the reason for the success of New Jerusalem is the community. "In a recovery community, you can't get away with it [lying], because it shows. It forces you to be honest."<ref name=Thompson /> In the history of the program, nearly 700 residents have graduated. Of those, close to seventy percent stay drug free, well above the results of traditional recovery methods.<ref name=MMS />
 
==Notes=Footnotes===
{{Reflist|30em}}
 
===Bibliography===
▲==References and bibliography==
*{{cite web|last=Campellone|first=Christopher|title=North Central: Addicts and Activists Provide an Oasis on Norris Street|url=http://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2010/06/16/north-central-addicts-and-activists-provide-an-oasis-on-norris-street/|work=Philadelphia Neighborhoods|publisher=Temple University|accessdateaccess-date=14 January 2013|year=2010|ref=harv}}
*{{cite web|last=Ellis|first=Lisa|title=An Activist Nun Trying To Provoke People To Think|url=http://articles.philly.com/1988-04-12/news/26249993_1_female-prisoners-protesters-religion-professor/3|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|year=1988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228065757/http://articles.philly.com/1988-04-12/news/26249993_1_female-prisoners-protesters-religion-professor/3 |archive-date=2013-02-28 |access-date=2022-02-26}}
*{{cite web|last=Jonah House|title=Feast of the Holy Innocents Faith and Resistance Retreat Pentagon December 28, 2007|url=http://www.jonahhouse.org/archive/FRDec07Pen.htm|publisher=Jonah House|accessdate=14 January 2013|year=2007|ref=harv}}
*{{cite web|last=KolodziejHagerman|first=MaureenSarah|titlefirst2=SisterAaron McKenna|last2= speaksWeiss about|title=mewithoutYou: herLet callIt to serveGo|url=http://www.lasallejambase.educom/collegianArticles/features18525/articlesmewithoutYou-Let-It-Go/06/oct18/mckenna.html|work=Collegian0|publisher=LaJam Salle UniversityBase|accessdateaccess-date=1416 January 2013|year=2006|ref=harv2009}}
*{{cite web|last=MedicalJonah Mission SistersHouse|title=SisterFeast Margaretof McKennathe Holy Innocents Faith and Resistance Retreat Pentagon December 28, 2007|url=http://www.medicalmissionsistersjonahhouse.org/meetarchive/sister_margaretFRDec07Pen.htm|publisher=Medical MissionJonah SistersHouse|accessdateaccess-date=14 January 2013|refyear=harv2007}}
*{{cite web|last=Kolodziej|first=Maureen|title=Sister McKenna speaks about her call to serve|url=http://www.lasalle.edu/collegian/features/articles/06/oct18/mckenna.html|work=Collegian|publisher=La Salle University|access-date=14 January 2013|year=2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207133124/http://www.lasalle.edu/collegian/features/articles/06/oct18/mckenna.html|archive-date=7 February 2013}}
*{{cite news|last=Stevens|first=William|title=Congress Marks Birth at Fete in Philadelphia|newspaper=The New York Times|year=1987|ref=harv}}▼
*{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=IsaiahMedical Mission Sisters|title=TheSister RehabMargaret WarsMcKenna|url=http://archiveswww.citypapermedicalmissionsisters.netorg/articlesmeet/2009/12/10/the-rehab-warssister_margaret.htm|publisher=PhiladelphiaMedical CityMission PaperSisters|accessdateaccess-date=14 January 2013|yearurl-status=2009dead|refarchive-url=harvhttps://web.archive.org/web/20090106165522/http://www.medicalmissionsisters.org/meet/sister_margaret.htm|archive-date=6 January 2009}}
*{{cite AV media notes|title=It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All a Dream! It's Alright |year=2009 |last=mewithoutYou |type=liner notes |publisher=Tooth & Nail Records|location=Seattle |asin=B0024RI77A}}
*{{cite web|last1=Schenk|first1=Christine|title=And the desert shall bloom|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/simply-spirit/and-desert-shall-bloom|website=National Catholic Reporter|access-date=8 January 2015|date=2014}}
▲*{{cite news|last=Stevens|first=William|title=Congress Marks Birth at Fete in Philadelphia|newspaper=The New York Times|year=1987|ref=harv}}
*{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Isaiah|title=The Rehab Wars|url=http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/2009/12/10/the-rehab-wars|publisher=Philadelphia City Paper|access-date=14 January 2013|year=2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202103737/http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/2009/12/10/the-rehab-wars|archive-date=2 February 2014}}
 
==External links==
*[http://www.newjerusalemnow.org/home.htm New Jerusalem Laura]
 
| NAME = {{DEFAULTSORT:McKenna, Margaret}}▼
{{Persondata
▲| NAME = McKenna, Margaret
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
▲| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American Religious Sister and anti-war activist
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1940
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hackensack, New Jersey]], United States
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:People from Hackensack, New Jersey]]
[[Category:American Roman Catholic religious sisters and nuns]]▼
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:University of Notre Dame alumni]]
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[[Category:Chestnut Hill College alumni]]
[[Category:American anti–Iraq War activists]]
▲[[Category:20th-century American Roman Catholic religious sisters and nuns]]
[[Category:Catholics from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:21st-century American Roman Catholic nuns]]
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