Pete Ries

Pete Ries was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, although he has been a resident of the state of Michigan for over 40 years.  He has a BA with a major in philosophy and a minor in education.  His MA in Religious Education was earned through the Pius XII Institute and University of Detroit/Mercy.
 
From 1969-1973 Pete was Director of Religious Education at St. Blase Parish in Sterling Heights, Michigan.  From 1973-1979 he was Director of Religious Education at St. Malachy Parish in Sterling Heights.
 
From 1979-1988 Pete was a member of the religious education staff for the Archdiocese of Detroit, serving as Supervisor for Catechist Formation.  While there he coordinated the revision and development of the archdiocesan catechist formation program.  During those year he was also a field representative in various regions of the archdiocese.
 
In 1988 Pete came to the Diocese of Lansing as Director of Religous Education and Adult Faith Formtion.  He served in that position until 2004 when he was appointed Director of the newly established Diocesan Office of Evangelization, RCIA, and Adult Faith Formation.
 
In July, 2009 Pete joined the pastoral staff of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and St. John Church and Student Center as RCIA Director.
 
Pete has three grown children and eight grandchildren.  A major hobby is fishing.  He has presented at parish, diocesan, and national religious education conferences and is the author of a series of catechist formation materials.