Senior Pastor Fr. Brian Shoda

I was born in Bluefield, West Virginia, in the Fall of 1956. My parents were Bob and Ruth Shoda, and I am the youngest of four brothers. I graduated from Bluefield High School in 1975 and attended Wheeling- Jesuit College until graduation in 1979. After several years of work, I returned to college at West Virginia University. During my time there, I decided to enter the seminary. I dropped out of WVU, and upon acceptance from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, I attended St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, Md. I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston on June 6, 1987. Since that time, I have been appointed Associate Pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Follansbee from 1987 until 1991, and Pastor of St. Leo Parish in Inwood from 1991 until the present.
Being a Parish priest to serve God and the people has been a blessing far above and beyond anything I could have hoped for in my life. Every day, I understand the beauty of this gift and often I am afraid of the challenges and expectations that go with this blessing. The greatest contributing factor to my success as a priest at St. Leo, with the exception of the divine help of our Lord Jesus, is the help and support given by the people. The task of running so large an operation is impossible without the volunteers and dedicated service of the laity. The people make the work of this Parish possible. We are a happy Parish, and more than a community that gathers to pray, we are a family that shares our life together.
Jesus was very generous to me when He heard my prayer and request for help. I needed direction and focus, and He provided both. The struggle is to accept and follow through on the challenges that are presented to me each day. I ask you to keep me and the people of our Parish family of St. Leo in your prayers. Perhaps one day, you might come and join us at a picnic, a yard sale, or more importantly, at a Mass. We hope to see you, and if you do come to visit, be sure to stay after Mass and introduce yourself.
God Bless You All !

 

Associate Pastor Fr. Rey Landicho

Rev. Fr. Rey D. Landicho is a Diocesan priest from the Philippines.  He is the son of Nicolas Landicho and Elena Dimalibot (both deceased), he is the youngest of six siblings, 3 boys and three girls.   He entered in the seminary as early as 12 years old as minor seminarian.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and post graduate studies in Theology at Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City, Philippines.  Fr. Rey was ordained on March 20th 1997 in the Philippines and he spent the next 10 years at various assignments in the Philippines both in seminary formation and parish ministry.  In 2003 Fr. Rey had undergone a year course of Clinical Pastoral Education as a training for hospital ministry in St. Luke’s Hospital in the Medical Center in Houston, Texas.  But in 2008 he came to the United States and served as Associate Pastor in St. Patrick Mission Church in Bancroft, WV, Christ the King in Dunbar, WV and Holy Trinity in Nitro, WV.  In 2009 Fr. Landicho was transferred to Sacred Heart in Williamson, WV as Parish Administrator where he stayed for one year prior to his current assignment as Associate Pastor here at St. Leo.