Recognizing his vocation to the priesthood early in life, he followed the path of his uncle, Father Leo J. Trese, a diocesan priest and noted author.

His uncle's published writings and books of reflections for priests were revolutionary in their time for their candor and sincerity.

Clemens, Michigan, in 1951, Trese was tapped to attend graduate school at Saint Louis University where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in social work.

He authored an article in The Catholic Nurse monthly journal titled "Life with Father.

While there, he served as Vicar Pro-tem of the South Oakland Vicariate and instituted many innovative programs at St. Columban's including his ministry to fellow priests, to Catholics affected by divorce, and to families touched by suicide.

In 2001, St. Columban was named one of the Excellent Catholic Parishes by Paul Wilkes, citing programs developed by Trese: spontaneous prayers of the faithful during Mass, collaborative spirit between leadership and laypeople, emphasis on learning and personal development, and suicide support group.

Shortly after his death, a small group of St. Columban parishioners decided to develop a website dedicated to the spirit and teachings of Trese.

The accumulated material provides a unique look at a post-Vatican II church, struggling to deal with a school closing, rejoicing in the strength of their community, sharing their faith.

In his pastoral role, he sought to correlate the teachings of Jesus and the initiatives of the Vatican II Council to respond to the needs of individuals within a Catholic community facing the questions and challenges of the modern world.

He believed in inclusion, and invited those in the congregation who were not Catholic, but to whom the mass was a significant event, to receive communion.

Members of the parish participated in faith-sharing groups, sharing the stories of their faith journeys.

Trese was always learning and growing, either through his voracious reading or through his many discussions with friends and members of his congregation.

One of the unique avenues that came out of this environment was an alternative to, or an addition to, CCD for families called 'Family Experience'.

In Trese's warm acceptance of all people as children of God, he reflected the very spirit of Christ.

A guiding principle of his ministry was respect for the sacredness of each person's mission and empowering the individual to carry it out in the parish community.

Paul F. Chateau, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish Archived 2007-12-31 at the Wayback Machine in Oak Park.