Fr. David Shields, SJ is an Iowa born Jesuit who grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After graduating from Marquette University High School, he began his Jesuit training, receiving a BA in Philosophy and Letters and an MA in Classical Languages from St. Louis University. He then pursued theological studies at the University of Toronto, being ordained a priest in 1973 and completing his M.Div in 1974. Fr. Shields spent the next 18 years serving on the Pine Ridge Reservation among the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) people. During this time he functioned as high school teacher, bus driver, district pastor and worked at the Sioux Spiritual Center. In 1987, he served Red Cloud High School/Holy Rosary Mission as coordinator and support person for the Red Cloud Volunteer program. From 1990 to 1995, Fr. Shields worked for the Diocese of Rapid City in the Family Life Office. In 1996, he left South Dakota to pursue new ministries in the Latino community of Milwaukee. In 2001, he established Casa Romero Renewal Center, an urban, bilingual retreat and formation center, and currently serves as the center’s Director of Spiritual Ministries. Fr. Shields has been directing and preaching retreats for over 30 years.