Fr. James-Peter Trares, O.P. 
James graduated from Crestwood High School in Mantua in 2006, then earned a Bachelor of Music in Liturgical Music and a minor in Theology from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI, in 2010. In addition he was the recipient of the St. Catherine of Siena Liturgical Ministry Award given for outstanding and sustained commitment to the liturgical life of the Aquinas community. 
 

He entered the novitiate for the Province of St. Albert the Great (Central Province) in Denver in 2010 and made his first profession of vows in August, 2011. He received a dual Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO, on May 12, 2017.  Fr. James-Peter Trares, O.P., was ordained a Catholic priest on May 20, 2017, at St. Pius V Catholic Church in St. Louis, MO, by Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis. His first Mass was celebrated on May 21, 2017 at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in St. Louis.
 
 His first ministry after ordination was at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he served as a campus minister and theology professor. As of the fall of 2020, Fr. James-Peter Trares, O.P., is currently a graduate student at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (commonly known as "the Angelicum") in Rome. He is one of several friars who have gone on for further graduate studies after ordinations as part of our continued commitment to the intellectual life of our Order. He'll be pursuing a Doctorate in Spirituality, which should take about four years, after which he'll be qualified to teach full time, to work in seminaries, to do spiritual counseling, and assist with the formation of the order's younger brothers.
 
 A member of St. Joseph's all his life, Fr. James-Peter is a St. Joseph School alumni, and Crestwood High School graduate (where he participated in the Marching, Concert and Jazz Bands, Chamber Choir, and National Honor Society). He is also an Eagle Scout from Boy Scout Troop #575 and has worked part-time at the Au Bon Pair Restaurant (Ohio Turnpike rest stop near Limeridge Rd.) at Treichel's Grille in Aurora Farms Premium Outlets, and the Music Department at Aquinas College. Fr. James-Peter's family includes his parents, George and Kathi Trares, brother, Jeff, and a married sister, Wendy (Ralph Harner), and nephews, Gabriel and Liam.

Fr. James-Peter Trares, O.P. Celebrates Mass of Thanksgiving
The Parish Community of St. Joseph was honored to celebrate a beautiful Mass with the newly ordained Fr. James-Peter on Sunday, June 4, 2017, at the 8:30 a.m. liturgy. Our pastor, Fr. Ed Stafford, welcomed our parish son as he concelebrated this Mass of Thanksgiving on the Feast of Pentecost. The chalice used was a gift to Fr. James-Peter from Bernice Heritage on behalf of the Knights of Columbus Council #3766 in memory of her late husband, Austin, a 4th Degree member with the Knights of Columbus (the Mass intention happened to be for him as well).
Many thanks to Fr. Ed, Deacon Gerry Scopilitti, Bill Davies, Director of Music, our Music Ministry, the Liturgy Committee, the Women's Auxiliary of the Mantua Knights of Columbus Council #3766, and the Parish Staff for their help, guidance, and support. Click here for more photos from the day.

"I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you" (Philippians 1:3). These words from St. Paul sum up beautifully what I want to say to you all. Being back home and celebrating Mass at the parish in which I grew up was a great blessing. When people ask what it was like, I say that it just felt right.

I would like to thank all of you for your constant prayers and encouragement. The faith and dedication of the parish community is so vital to all of us fulfilling our vocations, whatever they may be. Thank you especially to Fr. Ed for his warm welcome and hospitality. The parish is blessed to have him. Thank you to my parents for working so hard to prepare for the celebration. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus Women's Auxiliary for putting together such a great brunch at the reception. It was a delight to visit with everyone--parishioners, family, and guests. Thank you also to all who gave cards and gifts. I have read through each of them, and will be remembering each of you in prayer over the coming weeks.

Let's keep in touch and keep praying for each other. I hope to see many of you when I return to Ohio in a few weeks.

God Bless,
Fr. James-Peter