A Native of Indiana, Fr. Dave moved to Arizona in 1969. He earned his BA in Asian Studies, with an emphasis on Middle Eastern history and Arabic at the University of Arizona in 1974. In 1975 he entered the Spiritual Life Institute of the Carmelite tradition and in 1980 was ordained to the priesthood. He is incardinated in the Diocese of Killala, Ireland.
In 1987 he spent six weeks serving as a priest in a remote fishing village in northeastern Brazil and since 1993 has been a visiting professor at Colorado College, teaching the history of Christian mysticism.
An essayist, retreat master and poet, Fr. Dave’s experiences in the Middle East and South America move him to preach on behalf of those who long for basic necessities: food, shelter, health care, education and work.