As the Chaldean community in Canada grew, the need for a church where families could worship and celebrate the sacraments according to the Chaldean Catholic tradition became increasingly important.

In 1988, the first Chaldean Catholic church in Toronto was established, with Father Yacob Yasso appointed as its pastor. As the community continued to grow, the late Patriarch Mar Raphael Bedaweed appointed Archbishop Mar Hanna Zora in 1991 to serve the Chaldeans in Toronto and throughout Canada.

Upon arriving in Toronto, Archbishop Hanna Zora began working alongside the community to establish a permanent Chaldean church. In the years that followed, parishioners gathered for Mass and the sacraments in other Catholic churches while efforts continued to create a spiritual home of their own.

Beyond establishing a church, the community worked to preserve its traditions and pass them on to younger generations. A Chaldean school was established in cooperation with the Toronto Catholic District School Board to teach children the Chaldean language and prepare them for First Communion. Spiritual gatherings and charitable initiatives also helped strengthen the growing community.

Through the dedication of its clergy, families and parishioners, the vision for Good Shepherd began to take shape.