SSJ Reflects on Service Following Retirement

Father Dennis Bonsignore, Lisa Barzac, and Sisters Judy Whalen and Ann Patrice Carrigan on the day of Sister Judy’s retirement at the hospital

After more than two decades of dedicated service, Sister Judy Whalen has retired from her volunteer role in pastoral care at Monroe Community Hospital. For 21 years, Sister Judy brought spiritual comfort and genuine companionship to residents, becoming a beloved presence in the hospital’s community.

Sister Judy spent her time with residents praying, listening, and offering heartfelt support. But her mission went beyond one-on-one connection. She started a Disability and Spirituality support group, creating a safe space where individuals could express themselves, share struggles, and find strength in faith. “Everybody needs to have somebody listen,” a belief that, she says, guided her work every day.

Sister Judy also emphasized creativity as a form of spiritual expression. “They may be ill in body,” she said, “but they are alive in spirit.” Her influence led seven individuals to enter the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program, where she introduced them to the foundational beauty of the Catholic faith. “It was a joy to share with them the basics and the beauty of our Lord,” she recalled.

Though her time at Monroe Community Hospital has come to a close, Sister Judy’s heart remains with the community she served so faithfully. “I’d go back tomorrow if I could.”