The Healing Journey

January 29, 2025

Remembering Monsignor Richard Shea

By Tom Matthews

One of my earliest interactions with Monsignor Richard Shea was 40 years ago. I’ve never forgotten it.

Father Shea, who died recently at 88, was the principal of St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, and he hired a friend and me to be part of his summer work crew. We were tasked with  mopping floors, moving desks and hauling boxes to support the preparations for a new school year. We would be freshmen at the school that fall. His expectations for us were rather simple: work hard and get the job done the right way.

After a couple weeks, the work rate for my friend and me began to decline. Simply put, we were goofing off. We thought no one would notice; we were wrong. Fr. Shea called us into his office during one workday and provided some “candid feedback” about our performance. Jack Welch would have been impressed. I don’t recall all the words he used, but it was clear we had let him down, wasted a good opportunity and hurt the school’s efforts to stay on track with the preparations. The words I do remember are these: “You’re dehired.”

His language left me a bit confused, but I knew I was not in good standing with him. We had definitely gotten his Irish up. Already out of a job, my situation was about to get worse: I had to call my mom for a ride home, and then I had to explain to my dad what happened. The following Monday, I was back in Fr. Shea’s office, apologizing and begging for my job. Being a man of God, he showed mercy and gave me another opportunity. Looking back, I wonder if he used the word “dehired” and not “fired” to leave the door open for a second chance. Msgr. Shea was dedicated to developing the character of young men, and I undoubtedly grew from that experience.

I went on to work for Fr. Shea for another three years at St.Joseph and then developed a lasting connection with him. He later became pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull and was elevated to the position of Monsignor. Eventually, he married my wife Moira and me, baptized our children and presided over my mother’s memorial service. (She was a St. Joseph English teacher while he was principal.) Over the years, his words comforted, inspired and challenged me. I’m sure others feel the same way.

I was blessed to know him for many reasons, but here’s the most important one: He showed me the value of leadership. He was demanding, yet caring; he was visionary, yet practical; and he held high standards for every member of his flock, whether it be an athlete on his running team, a student at school or a member of his parish. Also, he knew how to take charge and get stuff done, never wasting time, worrying what people might think of him. He even walked like a leader, taking those legendary long, strong strides full of power and purpose.

A few years ago, at a celebration for him, a guest called Msgr. Shea  “a man’s man and a priest’s priest.” These, too, are words that have stayed with me. This description is open to interpretation, but here’s what I believe it means: Msgr. Shea knew how to take care of the people in his charge. Driven by traditional, faith-based values and a genuine commitment to serve others, Msgr. Shea lived a life of leadership for his colleagues, staff, students, and parishioners. I’m grateful for the time I spent with Msgr. Shea and what he taught me. I’ll miss him.

(Tom Matthews graduated from St. Joseph High School and attends St. Catherine of Siena in Trumbull. He’s worked in leadership positions in journalism, marketing and business services.)

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