We offer our love and sympathy to Michele and Kevin, Marc and Rachel and their children – Catherine, Rebecca, Kerry, Catriona, Emma and Jack and the wider family.

Just eighteen months ago we met in this Cathedral to give thanks to God for Morag’s life. As the family have travelled on the journey of bereavement they have now been overtaken by Jack’s death. Our hearts go out to all the family. May God comfort and strengthen them as they continue their journey into the future. One cannot speak of Morag and Jack in isolation. They have to be spoken of in the same breath. They were a loving, devoted couple who helped to create a loving, close-knit family. Their love is strong and the consequent grief is great.

I first met Jack over fifty years ago as a university student in Dublin. He was in his final year. I had just arrived. Some years later that contact at college grew into a deep personal relationship when we became colleagues working in the Parish of Ballymacarrett in East Belfast. Coming straight from school and university I had a lot to learn about life and in particular about the life of a very large city parish. Jack and I shared a flat and not only did I benefit from his companionship and friendship but he taught me so much about pastoral ministry. I owe him a great debt of gratitude for all that he did to encourage me and help me in my ministry. There are many clergy, especially those who have worked with him as colleagues, who will speak in a similar way and give thanks to God for Jack as a friend and guide and encourager.

Looking back to those early days I can say that Jack was already showing signs of being a remarkable man – a real pioneer, an innovator, an entrepreneur. He was a man ahead of his time. He anticipated the future. He refused to be bound by the past.

Let me take a few examples:

1. When the idea of Christian Stewardship campaigns was beginning to be talked about in the Church Jack had already conducted his own very successful programme and had written a book on the subject.
2. He became an expert in matters of income tax concerning the clergy. The Inland Revenue authorities were often challenged by him to acknowledge the legitimate financial claims made by clergy. He was a great defender of their cause. He was such an enthusiast that when we his friends were going to be in his company we would say, “Keep Jack off the subject of stewardship and income tax!”
3. When computers were considered by many as weird and wonderful inventions and when most people would not have known how to switch one on let alone use it Jack was using his to develop a database connected with parish administration and historical records.

After serving curacies in Magheralin and Ballymacarrett and as Rector of Ballynahinch he was appointed to Seagoe Parish, Portadown where he served for twenty-one years, the last fifteen of these as Archdeacon of Dromore. When he was appointed Dean of Belfast in 1985 he brought with him a wide experience of four different parishes. The many skills and abilities, which he then possessed, found full fruition in his new appointment. He was a brilliant administrator and an expert in all financial matters. He was the right man in the right place at the right time. The development of the Cathedral and its surroundings, its renewal and refurbishment, the securing of a secure financial basis and above all the care and thought he put into the liturgy and worship owe so much to his leadership and skill.

Jack Shearer was much more than the Dean of a Church of Ireland Cathedral. He was Dean of Belfast and he demonstrated in all that he did that this was an appropriate and accurate title. Many came into touch with him through the special services in the Cathedral representing a wide range of community interests and causes. More than anything else it was his annual Christmas sit-out for charity, which made the biggest impression. The image of the balaclava clad “Black Santa” in Donegall Street has been indelibly imprinted on the minds of thousands of people. His recent sit-out raised the record sum of over £400,000. No wonder he has been described as “Belfast’s best loved and most respected citizen”. You could say that he was not only Dean of St Anne’s Cathedral and Dean of Belfast but also Dean of Charity.

One further title needs to be added and it is Dean of Partnership. In 1998 an exciting and productive partnership between St Anne’s Cathedral and St Peter’s Roman Catholic Cathedral was initiated. In a deeply divided society like ours the partnership between the two cathedrals is a symbol and sign of hope and faith.

Since his ordination more than fifty years ago Jack’s ministry was characterised by continual development. His perspective grew, his outlook broadened and he took on new challenges. He had boundless energy and youth-like enthusiasm. This ongoing rejuvenation of his life and ministry enabled him to adapt to new circumstances and to go down new paths.

Today we offer our prayers and thanksgivings for Dean Jack Shearer, a wonderfully gifted yet humble man of God. After life’s journey he rests in God’s peace. Alongside our thanksgiving is a deep sense of grief and loss. His family have lost a beloved father and grandfather. We have lost a dear friend. Thanksgiving and sorrow are intermingled.

Well done good and faithful servant.

You have finished the course.

You have kept the faith.