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. Alfred Obiudu

I am Fr. Alfred Obiudu, a Nigerian citizen, born into the family of four boys and two girls of Sir Emmanuel A Obiudu and Lady Rose N Obiudu in the year 1975. Before attending Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu-Nigeria, where I graduated in 1999 with a concentration in philosophy, I graduated from All Hallows' Seminary Onitsha Anambra State,( a high school seminary) in 1993 and St. Pius X Spritual Year Major Semionary Akwu-Akwu in 1995.

On January 29, 2001 I came into this country at the invitation of Bishop Bernard Schmitt, the then Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, to study for the priesthood of our diocese. In the fall of that same year, I was accepted into the theologate and priestly formation programs at Mount St. Mary's Seminary, a place I was till my priestly ordination on June 11, 2005 by the Most Rev. Michael Bransfield, Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston. After my ordination, I was appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Weirton, WV (June 2005 -September 2006 and St. Leo Parish, Inwood, WV (September 2006-present).

One of the many gifts these few years of priestly service has given me is the opportunity to serve and celebrate the Sacraments of the Church, especially the Eucharist, with the people. What a wonderful way to witness the power of the Risen Christ present among us. I pray that God will continue to sustain us with His graces as we seek to celebrate these mysteries with fervent faith, reverence and devotion. God Bless