Father Mark Peres, C.PP.S., celebrates 40 years

Father Mark Peres, C.PP.S., was born in Hammond, Indiana in April 1957. He was baptized at St. Nicholas Church in East Chicago, Illinois, on April 14, 1957. In September of 1978, Fr. Peres took the first step into becoming a priest as he entered St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana. 

Fr. Peres was incorporated at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio, on June 14, 1981. His definitive incorporation took place on April 12, 1985, at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio. On April 13, 1985, he was ordained a transitional deacon at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio. Bishop Norbert Gaughan ordained Fr. Peres on Dec. 13, 1985, at St. John the Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana. 

Fr. Peres’ assignments started in June through December of 1985, as he did his diaconate internship at St. Joseph Church in Dayton, Ohio. Next was becoming an associate at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Ottawa, Ohio, on Dec. 22, 1985. On July 10, 1991, he became the parochial vicar at St. John’s Church in Whiting, Indiana. 

He was assigned pastor at St. Augustine Church in Rensselaer, Indiana, from July 7 of 1994 to July of 2007. On July 1, 2002, the next step in his career of service was being the director of formation for four years. From 2007 through 2008, Fr. Peres was on a sabbatical at the Institute for Religious Formation in Chicago, Illinois. 

Fr. Peres’ journey brought him back to St. John the Baptist Church in Whiting, Indiana, as the pastor on July 1, 2016. He has been a trustee or member of various boards: May 24, 2016, board of trustees for Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ); June 14, 2016, corporate board of CCSJ; October 9, 2018, provincial representative on the board of St. Joseph’s College; July 31, 2019, reappointed to board of trustees for CCSJ; July 21, 2022, reappointed to board of trustees for CCSJ. 

His current assignment is pastor at St. John the Baptist Church and St. Adalbert Church in Whiting, Indiana, from July 1, 2016, to present day. 

Favorite bible quote: 
“... and he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” 
Luke 9:2