Father Whalen’s road to priesthood had many stops

Bishop Earl Fernandes ordained Anthony Whalen and Kennedy Ofezu to the priesthood on Saturday, Oct. 31, at St. Catharine of Siena Church in Columbus. Both men were previously ordained as transitional deacons by Bishop Fernandes on March 14 and completed their priestly discernment at the Pontifical College Josephinum.

Whalen, 48, grew up in Columbus and attended St. Leo School. After graduating from Trinity High School in Euless, Texas, he studied funeral home management, a field he noted shares a common goal of serving others during times of need. His previous professional and educational experiences included service in the U.S. Air Force, work at Arlington National Cemetery, and time at the U.S. Naval Academy.