Msgr.
Msgr. Petru
d. July 25, 2013
Msgr. Stanislaus Joseph Petru was born on Nov 22, 1922 in Shiner to Frank and Johanna Velek Petru and to a family which eventually consisted of 10 children, including three priests, Rev Augustine Petru, OMI of Mexico, the late Rev. Msgr. Julius Petru, and Msgr. Stanley J. Petru.
He is survived by two brothers, Rev. Augustine Petru, OMI and Robert Petru and wife Bernice of Houston, many nieces, nephews, and many friends.
He entered into St. John’s Seminary in San Antonio in 1937. He was ordained May 27, 1948, by the late Archbishop Robert E. Lucey. He celebrated his First Solemn High Mass in Raymondville at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Sunday, May 30, 1948, and was assisted by his two brothers, Rev. Julius A. Petru, who was then pastor of St. John’s Church near Schulenburg, and Brother Gus Petru, O.M.I., who was then a student in De Mozonod Scholaticate in San Antonio.
His first assignment was St. Philip the Apostle Parish in El Campo in 1948. In 1952 he was assigned to St. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Shiner, Texas, and in 1956 he was assigned to St. Rose of Lima Parish in Schulenburg. Msgr. Petru then served as pastor of St Cornelius Parish in Karnes City from 1958-1964, St Agnes Parish in Edna from 1964-1968, Sacred Heart Parish in Hallettsville from 1968-1980, and St. Gregory the Great Parish in San Antonio from 1980-1992. He served as pastor of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Hostyn and Sts. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Cistern from 1992 to 1998, and then Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Hostyn and Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Plum from 1998 until his retirement on February 27, 2011, at the age of 88.
In 1979 he was elevated to Domestic Prelate by his Holiness Pope John Paul II with the title Rt. Rev. Monsignor. He was an honorary life member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus #1095, Co-Chaplain of Knights of Columbus Council #2574, Chaplain for the KJT and KJZT, and he was instrumental in organizing and served as Chaplain for the Holy Rosary ACTS Core.
Msgr. Petru was a huge supporter of the youth and all activities involving young people. After each Sunday Mass he celebrated at Hostyn and Plum, he enjoyed giving children’s bulletins to his “bambinos” and they enjoy getting them. Some practically ran to get their copy. He was also known for his love of roses, birds and Christmas lights.
Upon retirement, Msgr. Petru moved to the Oblate Madonna Residence in San Antonio, TX, where he passed away on July 25, 2013.
Visitation is scheduled from 9:00 AM until 8:00 PM, Monday July 29, 2013 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn. The family will receive visitors from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday July 30, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn.
Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Diocese of Victoria Rev. Msgr. Stanley J. Petru Seminary Burse. Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Hostyn Memorial/Building Fund or Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Plum Memorial/Building Fund.
He is survived by two brothers, Rev. Augustine Petru, OMI and Robert Petru and wife Bernice of Houston, many nieces, nephews, and many friends.
He entered into St. John’s Seminary in San Antonio in 1937. He was ordained May 27, 1948, by the late Archbishop Robert E. Lucey. He celebrated his First Solemn High Mass in Raymondville at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Sunday, May 30, 1948, and was assisted by his two brothers, Rev. Julius A. Petru, who was then pastor of St. John’s Church near Schulenburg, and Brother Gus Petru, O.M.I., who was then a student in De Mozonod Scholaticate in San Antonio.
His first assignment was St. Philip the Apostle Parish in El Campo in 1948. In 1952 he was assigned to St. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Shiner, Texas, and in 1956 he was assigned to St. Rose of Lima Parish in Schulenburg. Msgr. Petru then served as pastor of St Cornelius Parish in Karnes City from 1958-1964, St Agnes Parish in Edna from 1964-1968, Sacred Heart Parish in Hallettsville from 1968-1980, and St. Gregory the Great Parish in San Antonio from 1980-1992. He served as pastor of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Hostyn and Sts. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Cistern from 1992 to 1998, and then Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Hostyn and Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Plum from 1998 until his retirement on February 27, 2011, at the age of 88.
In 1979 he was elevated to Domestic Prelate by his Holiness Pope John Paul II with the title Rt. Rev. Monsignor. He was an honorary life member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus #1095, Co-Chaplain of Knights of Columbus Council #2574, Chaplain for the KJT and KJZT, and he was instrumental in organizing and served as Chaplain for the Holy Rosary ACTS Core.
Msgr. Petru was a huge supporter of the youth and all activities involving young people. After each Sunday Mass he celebrated at Hostyn and Plum, he enjoyed giving children’s bulletins to his “bambinos” and they enjoy getting them. Some practically ran to get their copy. He was also known for his love of roses, birds and Christmas lights.
Upon retirement, Msgr. Petru moved to the Oblate Madonna Residence in San Antonio, TX, where he passed away on July 25, 2013.
Visitation is scheduled from 9:00 AM until 8:00 PM, Monday July 29, 2013 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn. The family will receive visitors from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday July 30, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn.
Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Diocese of Victoria Rev. Msgr. Stanley J. Petru Seminary Burse. Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Hostyn Memorial/Building Fund or Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Plum Memorial/Building Fund.
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