Reverend John Whalen

REVEREND JOHN WHALEN WESTMORELAND, N.H. - Reverend John Whalen, 60, died after a long illness on Dec. 3, 2009. Father Whalen was born in New Haven, Conn. on Feb. 20, 1949, the son of Francis and Anne Courtney Whalen. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1994, at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, Neb. by Archbishop Elden Curtiss. After serving several years in the Archdiocese of Omaha at St. Bernadette Parish in Omaha and St. Patrick Parish in Fremont, Father Whalen began ministry in the Diocese of Burlington. His assignments began as Temporary Administrator at St. Anthony, Bethel (6/21/2000 - 6/20/2001). He also served as Parochial Vicar at St. Mark, Burlington (6/20/2001 - 10/30/2002) and Temporary Administrator at St. Paul, Manchester, St. Jerome, East Dorset and Holy Trinity, Danby (10/30/2002 - 6/16/2003). Following Father Whalen's incardination into the Diocese of Burlington on March 6, 2003, he was appointed Administrator of St. Paul, Manchester, St. Jerome, East Dorset and Holy Trinity, Danby (6/16/2003 - 7/1/2008). He also was appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Chester on July 1, 2008. Father Whalen is survived by his brothers, Francis and James and his sisters, Mary (Betsy) Anderson and Anne Porto. Calling hours will be on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, from 5 to 7 p.m., and Wednesday Dec. 9, 2009, from 10 to 11:45 a.m. at St. Paul Church in Manchester, Vt. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at 12 noon at St. Paul Church, 398 Bonnet Street, Manchester Center, Vt., with The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Burlington as principle celebrant.