Father Michael Reis, Pastor.

Father Michael J. Reis was born and raised in Columbus in the South End, St. Leo Parish. He is the oldest of seven children and attended St. Charles Preparatory School. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy at St. Charles Seminary and went to St. Mary's of the West in Cincinnati for theological training. On May 27, 1967 he was ordained a priest. Fr. Reis earned an M.A. in Religious Education at Fordham University in Bronx, New York, in 1971. He was assigned to Communications in the Diocese in 1975 and then in the Archdiocese of San Francisco from 1980-1985. He served in St. Michael Parish in Worthington, and St. Phillip Parish in Columbus. He also taught at Bishop Watterson High School, Father Joseph Wehrle Memorial High School, both in Columbus, and Notre Dame High School in Portsmouth. He served as a 3-time Spiritual Director for the Cum Christo/Cursillo Movement. He served as pastor at St. Christopher in Columbus from 1986-98. In 1998, Fr. Mike was assigned to St. Leonard in Heath. His hobbies include photography, sailing and traveling.

 

Fr. Ronald Boccali, PIME

Father Ronald Boccali was born in Zurich, Switzerland on December 26, 1929. A convert from the National Evangelical Church in Switzerland, Fr. Ronnie entered P.I.M.E. in 1952. He was ordained in Milan, Italy in 1960. When he left Italy to come to the United States in 1961, he had courses of missionary medicine under his belt. Fr. Ronnie landed in Detroit, Michigan for additional schooling where he learned the English language and studied psychology to prepare him to teach. He stayed one year in Michigan before coming to Newark, Ohio to teach at the P.I.M.E. seminary high school. Fr. Ronnie ended up serving P.I.M.E. in many capacities while there: Dean of Students, spiritual director and Vice Rector. In 1988, Fr. Ronnie went to England for 6 months and then returned to Detroit. Back in Michigan, he served as Rector of P.I.M.E. college students. When returning to Newark in 1992, the P.I.M.E. high school had been closed and turned into the P.I.M.E. Mission and Retreat Center. Fr. Ronnie served as the rector there until the facility closed on December 31, 2002. Before arriving at St. Leonard, June, 2003, Fr. Ronnie had a short stay at St. Edward the Confessor, Granville. As the live-in retired priest at our parish he helps out our parish along with the other local parishes.
  

 

 

Deacon Larry Wilson

Deacon Larry Wilson was born and raised in Newark, Ohio. He attended St. Francis de Sales as a child. Deacon Wilson graduated from Kent State University in March 1976 with a degree in broadcasting with minors in photography, theatre and film. He is married to wife Shelley and has two grown children, Holly and Matthew. Deacon Wilson was in the Air National Guard for 31 years. He spent the last 20 years active duty, stationed in Mansfield. He worked as the Visual Information Manager of the 179th Airlift wing where he provided photographic, video, and graphic support for the Airlift Wing. He was also in charge of all photography, public affairs, training and information. He was ordained in Toledo during May 2003 and assigned to St. Peter’s Parish located in Mansfield. While living in Mansfield, Deacon Wilson served 15 years as an assistant Boy Scout master for developmentally handicapped children. He was also involved in prison ministry for three years. Deacon Wilson came to St. Leonard in June 2005. He also teaches general computer use at Blessed Sacrament in Newark. Deacon Larry enjoys hiking and sailing and spending time at Lake Erie during the summer.