ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Reverend Monsignor Joseph A. Shields, Pastor Emeritus, Saint Basil the Great Parish, Kimberton, died valvular heart disease at Villa Saint Joseph, Darby, on Monday, May 10, 2010.

Monsignor Shields was born on September 27, 1923, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Daniel L. Shields and the late Agnes T. McGuckin. Monsignor Shields attended Saint Edward the Confessor Parochial School, Philadelphia, and Northeast Catholic High School, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Monsignor Shields was ordained on May 26, 1949, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend Hugh L. Lamb, and was named Honorary Prelate to His Holiness Pope John Paul II on May 29, 1991. Monsignor Shields served as Parochial Vicar, Saint William Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Matthew Parish, Conshohocken; Annunciation B.V.M. Parish, Havertown; and Saint Mary Magdalen De Pazzi Parish, Philadelphia. Monsignor Shields served on the faculty of Saint Thomas More High School for Boys, Philadelphia; Roman Catholic High School for Boys, Philadelphia; Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia; and as Principal, Archbishop Wood Girls High School, Warminster. In 1977, Monsignor Shields was appointed Pastor, Saint Basil the Great Parish, Kimberton, and named Pastor Emeritus in 1998.

The service of the Transfer of the Body will be held at Saint Basil the Great Church, Kimberton, on Monday, May 17, 2010, at 9:00 AM, followed by a viewing. In the absence of Cardinal Rigali, Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Monsignor Shields at Saint Basil the Great Church on Monday, May 17, 2010, at 11:00 AM. Concelebrating at the Funeral Mass will be Reverend William G. Donovan, Reverend Henry C. Graf, Reverend Monsignor Donald E. Leighton, Reverend Monsignor Joseph T. Marino, Reverend Robert A. McLaughlin, and Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Sullivan. Monsignor Leighton will be the homilist.

Monsignor Shields is survived by his brothers Francis and Daniel and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Helen Shields, Agnes Murmillo, and Anne Marie Stemming. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747