RETIRED priest and former parish priest, Canon Brian O'Shea returned to St Thomas of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church, Grays to celebrate his 50 years of priestly ordination which was on 4th May 1974. 

The event on Saturday (4 May) was hosted by current parish priest, Canon Stephen Myers with the assistance of a variety of groups and individuals within the parish who ensured that the service and party ran smoothly.

More than 190 people, including family, attended the special Golden Jubilee Anniversary Mass which was con-celebrated with Bishop Alan Williams (Bishop of Brentwood), Canon Stephen Myers, long-term friends and fellow golden jubilarians both Fr Guy Sawyer & Fr Joseph Farrell, Fr Paul Boagey, Fr David Pearce & Fr Anthony Cho.

During the service, Fr Guy spoke about Fr Brian and said that: "To do Canon Brian justice, a couple of hours would be required" as "he touched the lives of so many" & offered "unrivalled care" that benefited all the parishes where he served as a priest in Essex, not to mention Fr Brian's "mischievous" sense of humour. 

Fr Guy alluded to Fr Brian's original career as a journalist and how, following his calling to the priesthood, Father Brian used his journalistic skills for the benefit of the wider Church including his talent for writing poems.  

The special occasion was also an opportunity for parishioners from both St Thomas' in Grays & St Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Stifford Clays to give Father Brian the send off & to thank him for his 12 years of service which they were unable to do because of Covid restrictions at the time of Fr Brian's departure in August 2020.

Among the many well-wishers who attended the celebration Mass and party were: former Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay, former headteacher of The Campion School Mr John Johnson & his wife, Mrs Penny Johnson, Headteacher of Grays Convent High School for Girls, past and present pupils, staff & parents from St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School & Grays Convent High School for Girls. 

Mrs Johnson described Father Brian as "a true friend to our school" & who was, "warm, kind & interested in all that we do. He always had a kind word for our community". 

There were also parishioners from other parishes where Father Brian served as a priest including Colchester, Loughton, Basildon, Chelmsford & Wanstead.

At the end of the Mass, Bishop Alan thanked Father Brian for his service & spoke briefly expressing Fr Brian's sentiments at the time of his departure, during Covid restrictions that, "one day, we'll return to more normal times" as well as acknowledging Fr Brian receiving the "Freedom of the Borough" by Thurrock Council in 2020 honouring his work locally as a pastor & priest to all. 

Speaking on behalf of the parish, Mike Walsh also expressed his gratitude to Fr Brian for his, "great warmth, empathy, intelligence, understanding, sympathy, spirituality & all with good humour".  

Fr Brian was presented with gifts, including a cheque and a card which had been signed by parishioners. 

The celebration continued with a party in Our Lady's Under croft with a buffet lunch & refreshments for all guests. One of the parishioners, Roger Chinnon, made and decorated a cake for Fr Brian.

Canon Brian commented: "It was an honour and great privilege to be back in my beloved Thurrock. The parishioners pulled out all the stops to make it a deeply memorable and happy occasion. What a joy it's been to serve in Grays!"