ABOUT
THE SOCIETY
Continuing on the memory of Father Whelihan, the Father Whelihan Memorial Scholarship Society was created in 1972 to help futher the future growth of todays youth through academic and athletic achievement and success. In keeping with the community spirit that Fr. Whelihan fostered, generous contributions by many of his former students and supporters has allowed the Scholarship Award to continue and grow to this day.
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
Lou Giancarlo
Chair of the board
St. Francis 1973
Gabrielle Enns
Vice Chair of the BoarD
Kelly Webster
Vice President
Lord Beaverbrook 1986
Lu Scarpino
Treasurer
St. Mary's 1974
Peter Farkas
Secretary
Bishop Carroll 1975
Nicole Losier
Vice President
School Liaison & Social Media
ABOUT FATHER WHELIHAN
FATHER JAMES AUSTIN WHELIHAN
1902-1986
His infectious laugh and his genuine interest in people attracted those who came to know him. His deep commitment to the goodness of mankind and his ability to deliver his concern for others through friendship is reason to praise him.
Father James Austin Whelihan, the son of Patrick and Bridget Whelihan, was born on April 6, 1902 on a farm near Lucan, Ontario, a settlement of Irish immigrants known for their hard work, loyalty to family, and their love of the Church. These were the family roots of a man who was to be influential in the lives of Calgary youth for thirty seven years. He taught his students the virtue of hard work and the joy of loyalty and human perfection in the ability to love others. In the classrooms of St. Mary’s High School, on the football field, coaching track and field, basketball, hockey or boxing, Father’s life was given unstintingly, to the young. Relentlessly, as he lived out his roots, he shaped, motivated, recognized, and rewarded those who chose to exercise their innate goodness.
Fr. Whelihan completed his high school education in Windsor, Ontario at Assumption College School. In 1926, after four years of study at Assumption College, he received his B.A. degree through the University of Western Ontario.
It was at Assumption where young James Whelihan met the Basilian Fathers, a Community of Catholic priests and scholars who administered and taught at Assumption High School and College. The common life and the thrill of living a life of scholarship and prayer among youth drew Jim Whelihan to enter the Basilian Novitiate in Toronto in 1926. After four years of theological study and prayer, he was called to ordination to the priesthood by Bishop MacDonald, on December 21, 1930.
After being ordained and receiving his teaching certificate from Ontario College of Education, he began his many years as teacher of youth. From 1930-1933 he taught in Toronto. His move to St. Mary’s High School in Calgary occurred in September of 1933. He helped the newly arrived Basilian Fathers settle into Calgary and begin their new assignment of administering and providing instruction for the students and parents of St. Mary’s School.
Very quickly, Fr. Whelihan became influential in the lives of Calgary youth. His association with the young was inspired by a genuine love for his students. He taught students the value of hard work, the joy of loyalty, and human perfection in the ability to love others. Both in the classroom at St. Mary’s and in the arenas of sport- football, track and field, basketball, hockey and boxing – Fr. Whelihan gave his life unstintingly. No one who wanted in was ever left out. Any young man interested had a role: player, waterboy, manager, or timekeeper: his only demand was that the student do his best.
He taught his students the virtue of hard work and the joy of loyalty and human perfection in the ability to love others.
Father Whelihan’s philosophy included his vision that the future possibilities of the life of every young person is important in our society.
Fr. Whelihan coached may young men who since have risen to positions of high political office, to the upper echelons of the legal profession, to the presidencies of major industries, to eminent ranks of the clergy, to positions of importance in the educational world, and mostly to the rank of husband and father of successful families. The one common thread which relates him to them all is their response as dignified humans to their fellow man.
No one will quarrel with the undisputed fact that Father Whelihan was one of the greatest coaches of his time. From 1949 and for 15 years following, St. Mary’s dominated both football and track and field, repeatedly winning both city and provincial titles. Continuously, he organized teams and sports activities for the young, urging each student to work and be his most perfect self. He shaped, motivated, recognized and rewarded those who chose to exercise their innate goodness.
He carried his skill as a coach beyond St. Mary’s when he involved himself in guiding the Calgary Tornadoes to the Western Canada Junior Football Championship in 1946 and to the finals in Vancouver the following year.
The Calgary Catholic School board also did not miss the fact that they had a very talented individual available to them, and by 1946 Fr. Whelihan had taken on the role of supervisor for physical education for the school district. Although one would have thought that these extra administrative duties would have detracted from his ability to develop successful sports teams, just the opposite resulted. Fr. Whelihan was able to effectively create a farm system for his athletic program at St. Mary’s.
In addition, Fr. Whelihan recognized the need for both the public and the separate school systems to co-ordinate their efforts in developing athletic programs. With the help from individuals such as Captain Ferguson, John Mayell, Ward Steckle and Les Roberts, the Calgary High School Athletic Association was created. The Association, which remains very unique in Canada, fostered a spirit of healthy competition between the school systems while helping to develop a host of athletes, many of whom have gone on to pursue professional sports careers.
Fr. Whelihan’s philosophy included his vision that the future possibilities of the life of every young person is important in our society. His personal friendship with each person he contacted and the love and regard his students and friends have for him is memorialized in the goodness of their lives. In honouring Fr. Whelihan, we give credence to his teaching of the love of God and neighbour.
Father Whelihan’s achievements are many but highlighted by:
- 35 years of dedicated service to St. Mary’s High School (1933-1967).
- Creation, with help from others, of the Calgary High School Athletic Association.
- 1956 – Calgary Booster Club Sportsman of the Year.
- 1972 – Inception of Father Whelihan Scholarship Award.
- 1985 – Received the Order of Canada.
- 1985 – Inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
Yet one cannot help but feel that his character, spirit, and positive impact on his fellow man are his most profound legacy. Father Whelihan’s infectious laugh, genuine interest in people and spirit of willingness to serve characterized his life. His deep commitment to the goodness of mankind and his ability to deliver his concern for others through friendship, are what we truly celebrate.
In keeping with the community spirit that Fr. Whelihan fostered, generous contributions by many of his former students and supporters has allowed the Fr. Whelihan Memorial Scholarship Award, created in 1972, to continue and grow to this day.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
The Father Whelihan Memorial Scholarship is made possible thanks to support from donors, scholarship alumni, scholarship friends, and partners like you. Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated.