August 23, 2018

Shields, Reverend Monsignor James J.

REVEREND MONSIGNOR JAMES J. SHIELDS

 1935 – 2018

Reverend Monsignor James J. Shields died on Tuesday, August 14, 2018.

Monsignor Shields was born on September 26, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late John A. Shields and the late Irene J. (Lion) Shields.  Monsignor Shields attended Saint Stephen Parochial School, Philadelphia and Northeast Catholic High School, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Monsignor Shields was ordained on May 18, 1963, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend John J. Krol.  Monsignor Shields served as Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Philadelphia.  He served on the Faculty, Roman Catholic High School for Boys, Philadelphia, for 10 years.  Vice-Principal, Cardinal Dougherty High School.  Monsignor Shields attended the Pontifical North American College.  He served as Spiritual Director, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.  He then served as Parochial Vicar, Saint William Parish, Philadelphia.  He was assigned as Pastor, Saint Anselm Parish, Philadelphia and Senior Priest, Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish, North Wales.

Reception of the Body will be held at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, North Wales, on Monday, August 20, 2018 at 9:00 AM, followed by a viewing.

Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Monsignor Shields at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, North Wales, on Monday, August 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM.  Among those concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Monsignor John T. Conway, Reverend Monsignor Richard T. Bolger, and Reverend Monsignor Philip Ricci.  Reverend Monsignor James P. McCoy will be the homilist.

Monsignor Shields is survived by his brother, John Shields; sister-in-law, Catharine Shields and niece, Mary Catharine Timpe.  Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.