NAME:
Mrs. Mary Ann Petru
SCHOOL:
St. Francis de Sales Catholic School
CLASS:
7th and 6th Grade Religion
SCHOOL PHONE:
714-774-4447
I am a native Houstonian, who attended Queen of Peace Grade School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel
High School. After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in
Nursing, I married my high school sweetheart, Mike, worked in Labor and Delivery at Methodist
Hospital and started a family. Thirty-eight years later, we have three married 'children' - who all
graduated from St. Francis de Sales School, their three loving spouses, six beautiful grandchildren
- two boys, four girls, and many blessings. In our 'spare time', my husband makes furniture and I
'decoratively' paint it at our weekend retreat in Wimberley. We are also orange-blooded Texas
Longhorns, attending numerous sporting and campus events.
Beginning with my time in high school, I began teaching Religion, continued throughout college and
picked it up again when our children were small. God led me to the SFdS classroom in 1981. I
received my Catechist Certification from the Diocese of Galveston-Houston and it has shaped my life
ever since. Though I enjoyed my first ten years with the 3rd and 4th grades, I have loved the last
eighteen years teaching the middle school students. Their faith development inspires me to
continue to develop mine, and together we build upon our own relationship with the Loving God. I
look forward to beginning a new school year, and pray to continue to be open to the Holy Spirit and
all that He has in store for me. God bless you.
My Personal SFdS History:
- 1981 - Began teaching Religion at SFdS
- 1989 - Began the annual 6th Grade Baby Egg Project
- 1992 - Founder and original Sponsor of the Micah Club (SFdS Service Curriculum) through 2004
- 1993 - Developed the annual Candy Gram drive, benefiting Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen (We
donated nearly $22,000 from 1993-2004)
- 1994 - Co-developed the annual Guardian Angel Program, uniting 8th and 7th grade students with
2nd and 1st grades, respectively
- 1994 - Initiated the annual 6th Grade Passover Seder
- 1994-1996 - Cheerleader Co-Sponsor of the 1st 3 years of the all-inclusive SFDS Cheerleader
Program
- 1996-1998 - National Junior Honor Society Sponsor
- 1998-2006 - Safety Patrol Sponsor
- 2001 - National Catholic Educators Association - Teacher of the Year
- 2003 - Catholic Charities Seeds of Hope Award recognizing the Micah Club
- 2004 - Diocesan Catechist Recognition for 25 years of service
- 2007 - SFdS Catechist Recognition for 25 years of service
- 1992 - 2010 - Named to Who's Who Among American Teachers for 6 years
- 2010/11 - 30 years of Catechist service in the Galveston-Houston Diocese
- The area of my ministry at SFDS School and Parish continues to involve the youth - attending the
Steubenville Youth Conferences or Archdiocesan Youth Conferences, praying with the Youth at
Adoration or helping our Youth Minister, Crissy, with other youth needs.
None of my personal SFDS history has any importance by itself. It represents the wonderful
atmosphere here at St. Francis de Sales School. The Administration gives the faculty and staff the
freedom to expand our gifts and talents. Fellow co-workers support and assist us in reaching our
goals. An accomplishment for one represents an accomplishment for all. The final outcome would
not be possible without the responses from eager students and parents. Together we all work
together to carry out the mission of Catholic education at SFdS.... all for the honor and glory of God.
