Joanne Whalen

Joanne Whalen

My parents helped me begin my spiritual journey with baptism soon after I was born. During my growing up years, my family attended Mass and confession, Friday Benediction and said the rosary together. I attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through college.

Then, I lost my way for a bit. When I returned, it was with vengeance. I can only think it was the prayers of my grandparents and parents that brought me to embrace the Truth, once and for all. I still cry as I contemplate my wayward years and the beauty of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

My parents lived their faith. When my father was in his 80s, he stood in front of the abortion clinic, praying the rosary, entreating women not to go in. He was active in the Knights of Columbus and the Serra Club. He visited hospital patients, often taking one of us with him. My mother gave a faithful witness in her own quiet ways. My parents offered shelter to an immigrant and to a newborn baby when her mother was hospitalized for three months. In their retirement years, they attended daily Mass. I learned a lot from them! And, now, as a mother and grandmother, my prayers are focused on helping my children and grandchildren get to heaven, just as I know my parents have done for me.

When I was the executive director of a pro-life pregnancy center, my Catholic faith informed the way I counseled, given the Church teaching on life. Mothers chose life for their babies as a result of us telling them the truth. I began attending daily Mass and frequenting confession when I realized I needed spiritual armor. Receiving the grace of these sacraments helped me to stand firm against the evil forces that threatened to bring me — and the center — down.

Now, as a private piano teacher, I pray that my students grow closer to our Lord by experiencing my faith in action. I like to help them celebrate their first Communions and confirmations, and sometimes we talk about our faith. One student told me she was worried that her grandfather was in purgatory. It gave me an opportunity to explain how we could pray for him and that it would be a good thing if he was in purgatory because it meant he would be in heaven one day.

For nearly 50 years, I have been in music ministry. It has been a great honor to play music for our Lord and to entice congregations to sing praise to God. And, when I program music for liturgies, I think about the angels and saints who are there with us and try to choose music I think they would like to sing, too.

The most important reason I am Catholic is the holy Eucharist. It is the greatest gift, barring none, that I receive in this life. I could never leave our dear Lord. As St. Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go?”

Whalen, 67, is a member of St. Columba in St. Paul. She teaches piano and is the music director at St. Columba, and also helps with music at other parishes and venues. She has worked for a pregnancy resource center and currently volunteers with Prolife Across America. She has four children and seven grandchildren, which she calls her “pride and joy.” She also enjoys theater and is a supporter of Open Window Theatre.

“Why I am Catholic” is an ongoing series in The Catholic Spirit. Want to share why you are Catholic? Submit your story in 300-500 words to [email protected] with “Why I am Catholic” in the subject line.