A Faith Journey

Father Brian Shea has been a priest for 38 years, a faithful servant in the vineyard of the Lord and, most importantly, a shepherd of souls. “Over 38 years of priesthood, I served in eight different parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto. I began in Mississauga, then moved on to Brampton, Orangeville, Markham, Scarborough and ended my ministry in Toronto. During that time, I met so many amazing parishioners and I felt like my vocation in many ways was to walk with people on their faith journey.”

Fr. Brian Shea

Like many, Fr. Shea found himself doing various jobs for a few years after university. From being a teacher, working at a ski resort and being a garbage collector, the call to spirituality was kindled over time and led him to joining the seminary at the age of 30.

From the moment he donned his collar at the age of 36, Fr. Shea had committed himself to a life of devotion, service, and humility. Over the years, his parish grew and flourished under his steady guidance. He baptized children who, years later, would come to him to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony. He anointed the sick, and buried the faithful departed. Fr. Shea was a constant presence in the community, known for his gentle wisdom and quiet strength.

His impact on the community was unmistakable; as is the case for so many priests, he was present for major milestones in people’s lives, from weddings to funerals, offering a steady presence, counsel, and faith. Over time, Father Brian Shea realized that it wasn’t just him who was changing the community; it was the community itself that had changed him and deepened his own journey of faith.

Over time, Father Shea’s priesthood was renewed, deepened, and even humbled by the community he served. He saw firsthand how the people of God supported and sustained their priest, helping him stay rooted in his vocation. The community’s faith, struggles, and hopes reminded him daily of the depth of the human experience and the ways God is present in the lives of each one of us. He came to believe that the priesthood was not a solitary calling but one nourished by the very people it aimed to serve.

In the Archdiocese of Toronto, where a diversity of cultures and experiences blend, communities play a crucial role in sustaining a priest’s ministry. Through their support, questions, and simple acts of kindness, parishioners shape the journey of their shepherds as much as the priest gives back in kind, becoming partners in faith and witnesses to God’s love.

When people pray with and for their priest and encourage his ministry, they offer him more than support—they give him the opportunity to deepen his own faith alongside theirs. In the end, Father Shea knew that he had given his life to serve, but the community had been his greatest blessing and teacher.

Your generous gift will help our priests, who have devoted their life to serving us in our communities, to maintain a modest but active and independent lifestyle in their retirement years. For priests who are ill or otherwise infirm, The Shepherds’ Trust supports many of them with access to nursing home facilities and medical care.

Thank you for all that you do to support our priests and for your continued support of the Shepherds’ Trust, a chance for us to give back to those who have given so much.