Bishop Whalen recognized for service
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, '83 (right), presents the Maniscalco Award to Bishop Edmund Whalen, '76.
Bishop Whalen, '76, receives award for impact he has left on local community
On September 17, Bishop Edmund J. Whalen '76, former principal of Monsignor Farrell High School, received the prestigious Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award.
Since 1986, the Maniscalco Award has recognized Staten Islanders who have contributed great service to their community. The award honors Staten Island’s ninth Borough President, Albert V. Maniscalco. During his tenure, he helped the creation of the greenbelt and contributed to the construction of the Verrazzano Bridge.
Bishop Whalen received this award at a ceremony at Monsignor Farrell. Presenting Whalen his award was Borough President Vito Fossella, '83.
Bishop Whalen addresses the audience.
"It's humbling because this place has a special meaning for all of us who went to school here, and it made us the men we are today," Bishop Whalen told The Good Newsroom. "The whole goal, Monsignor Farrell's dream, was good men who would be good citizens, good men of the Church, and do the right thing because it's right. To see that's who we are and that's what we’re about."
As a student, Bishop Whalen served in a number of noteworthy groups and organization around campus, including the Student Council, Usher Society and Project Omega -- which later turned into what we know today as Teaching the Christian Message (TCM).
Bishop Whalen also served as an editor for the Monsignor Farrell yearbook -- Cornerstone -- and is an alumnus of The Lion.
Bishop Whalen surrounded by members of the Farrell administration, faculty, and staff following the award ceremony. Bishop Whalen served as Monsignor Farrell principal from 2010 until 2019.
Bishop Whalen, Class of '76, was ordained in 1983 and was a teacher at Farrell during the 1980s.
Bishop Whalen returned to Monsignor Farrell High School as principal in 2010, becoming the first Farrell alum to serve in the role. In 2019, he stepped down upon his appointment as vicar for clergy.
"What he did and still does is that he sees the beauty and the excellence in everybody," Fossella said. "And he tries to bring out what that person can offer."
Bishop Whalen poses for a photo with current Farrell students who were in attendance for the ceremony.
Throughout the years, Bishop Whalen has educated and helped countless people living his life. His impact is still felt throughout Monsignor Farrell, Staten Island, and beyond.
To this day and forever, Bishop Whalen embodies the spirt of a Vir Fidelis - Faithful Man.
The Lion is Monsignor Farrell's student digital newspaper. To read more articles from The Lion, click here.