Having completed the pertinent studies at Queen's University, Belfast and Maynooth Fr Liam was ordained in 2000.

He worked as Hospital Chaplain in the Belfast City Hospital from 2000-2006 when he was appointed as Curate to Ballycastle. He served in Ballycastle from 2006 until October 2008 when he was appointed as Curate to Ballymena.

Prior to priesthood Fr Toland worked as a nurse for twenty three years. He qualified as a Registered Mental Nurse and General Nurse in Belfast where he worked for some time to gain experience in these areas. He subsequently worked in London, the Falkland Islands, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.