Mrs. Sarah Penuela

I was born in New York, then moved to Texas to grow up closer to relatives. From my childhood, I learned the faith from my family and community, especially my grandmother who prayed the rosary, novenas, and attended daily Mass. As a child, I served in the liturgy as musician and vocalist, then I joined youth ministry. Shortly after, as a young adult, I was inspired to prayerfully began a prayer group at Texas Woman’s University, where I graduated with a BS in Biology with a minor in Music.

After graduation, I became a missionary in South Central USA where I was given the opportunity to travel around the States, to the Philippines, and to Costa Rica to serve the locals and work with the poor. I also coordinated, facilitated, and spoke at local, national, and international events where I had the opportunity to meet my husband, Angelo. In 2014, we were married at St. Thomas Aquinas in Dallas, and currently are members of Missionary Families of Christ where we serve as National Coordinators for the college-aged members. Together, we strengthen one another’s desire to learn, teach, and serve, as we continue to catechize students and serve in music ministry for various English, Spanish, and Filipino Eucharistic Celebrations.

At Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, I completed my Master of Arts in Catechetics and Evangelization and received a Certification in the Apostolate of Campus and Young Adult Ministry at the John Bosco Catechetical Institute. In the local parishes, you may find me serving in various capacities teaching Sacramental preparation; to evangelizing and training kids, youth, and young adults for ministry, retreats, and leadership. I also share my skills of administration, organization, event planning, and leading discussions to provide an atmosphere which promotes motivation, participation, and growth to bring others towards Jesus Christ, our Shepherd.

In August 2021, I joined the faculty of Holy Trinity Seminary as the Director of Pastoral Formation where I provide the seminarians guidance to on-site ministerial work and give them the opportunity to make theological reflections connecting their practical experiences to the example given by Jesus the Good Shepherd. These practicums are to help the men grow in communion with the people of God by gaining a deeper understanding of the Church’s ministry as they develop the tools needed to grow in Christ’s pastoral charity. With a background of working with seminarians and people discerning vocations, my love for the Church deepened, which also has brought a heightened respect for the clergy, and a greater desire to assist in the formation of the seminarians who hopefully one day, God-willing, will be our future priests.