Marriage at St. Paul

Welcome to St. Paul Catholic Church

and Pauline Chapel

Marriage is a Sacrament, an outward sign of an inward grace. The outward sign of this Sacrament is the love between husband and wife; the inward grace is the love of Jesus Christ for His Church and for His people. The special grace of Matrimony, then, is the sharing in the love of Jesus Christ by husband and wife.

Faith has an added importance in the Sacrament of Marriage, because of the special role that a couple has in a family. Not only are they witnesses of their Catholic faith to their children; they are the first teachers, by what they feel, think, do and say to their children.

Marriage demands an adult commitment of faith that is complete and lasting, and which requires preparation.

Pauline Chapel is a lovely structure built in 1918, by Julie Penrose, with a seating capacity of 85 - 100. It offers great spiritual, historical and aesthetic appeal. It is not air conditioned, however, the design of the building keeps it comfortable even in the summer. It is not handicap accessible at this time. There is a small restroom available, and a newly decorated waiting/dressing room for the wedding party's use.

Pauline Chapel

St. Paul Catholic Church

Wedding Fees

St. Paul Parishioner Wedding $450

Non-Parishioner Wedding $850

Non-Catholic Wedding $1150

The fees include the reservation fee, staff assistance, the use of the parish church or chapel facilities/equipment, rehearsal, cleaning, and candles (except a Unity Candle). In the event of financial difficulty these fees can be negotiated. Please discuss this with either the priest or deacon.

Rental use of Julie Penrose Hall for Receptions

Program and Marriage Preparation

St. Paul Parish is in compliance with the Diocese of Colorado Springs requirements for marriage preparation. This process involves an initial meeting with the priest or deacon who will witness your vows. You will be required to participate in a series of programs that will inform you about your relationship (FOCCUS and Engaged Encounter Weekend); classes on the nature and importance of Catholic marriage; natural family planning, and the liturgical requirements for your ceremony. This process usually takes up to a year to complete.

It is our hope that these programs will not only inform you but enrich you so that you may embrace a life long union with each other in the love of Jesus Christ made manifest in His Church.

If you are seeking to have your marriage at St. Paul’s and you are not resident in our diocese, you are required to fulfill your diocesan guidelines for marriage. Your marriage papers are to be sent to our Chancery which will then forward them to St. Paul parish. Please contact the parish where you reside for more information.

Planning the Wedding Ceremony

The wedding day is a very special day for the couple. The couple’s public profession of love is the most visible sign the People of God have of the depth and fidelity of the Father’s love of all.

Because a wedding is a service of worship and an important part of public prayer life of the parish, marriages are to be celebrated in the St. Paul Church or Pauline Chapel. In an interfaith marriage, the couple may wish to include the ministers of both traditions and have the Rite of Marriage celebrated.

The Celebrant

The Celebrant is a Priest or Deacon of St. Paul Parish, or with permission of the Pastor of St. Paul, another Priest or Deacon of the couple’s choice. It is customary to give a monetary gift to the Celebrant, to be determined by the couple’s means and charity. The Parish Wedding Coordinators can offer advice regarding this stipend.

Music

A Catholic wedding is a sacred celebration. It is a time of rejoicing but it is also a time of solemnity. Whether you are having a full Mass or the rite of marriage outside of Mass, music will play an important role in your ceremony. It should therefore be chosen very carefully, be spiritual in nature, and should be in line with current Catholic practices. We advise you to have at least two liturgical musicians at your wedding to facilitate: a cantor and a keyboardist. You should contact the Music Director to discuss your wedding music at least one month prior to your wedding. The Music Director can provide you with a cantor and keyboardist as well as any other instrumentalists you would like to have. You may also provide your own musicians with the approval of the Director. You may obtain a copy of the Parish Music Policy from your Deacon or Priest or from the Director of Music at your music consultation.

The normal fees are $100 per liturgical musician (e.g. a cantor and an organist) and vary for other instruments and soloists. Usually it is not necessary for the musicians to be at the rehearsal, but this can be arranged for an additional fee.

Photographers/Videographers

St. Paul Parish recognizes your desire for photographic memories of your wedding. However, it is imperative that the dignity and religious aspect of the celebration takes precedence over everything else. Consequently, during the wedding ceremony, photographers/videographers may work provided they keep some distance from the altar, work unobtrusively and without lights and reflectors.

Photos/videos, with or without flash and/or lights, may be taken when people and the bridal party are coming in and going out, before and after the wedding.

The taking of photographs before the ceremony is encouraged. At the couple’s request, the building will be opened early. Photographs after the ceremony should be limited.

A video camera may be set up in the loft at the back of the Church or Chapel for an especially nice view.

Non Catholic Weddings

We are pleased to have permission from the Diocese of Colorado Springs to allow non-Catholic weddings in Pauline Chapel for people of other faith expressions. All requests to use the church or chapel, or other facilities at St. Paul Catholic Parish must be approved by the Pastor. Please note that public officials such as judges or Justices of the Peace may not preside at weddings in Pauline Chapel.

WEDDING FEE

St. Paul Parish charges a fee of $1150 or non-Catholic weddings in Pauline Chapel. This fee includes the reservation fee, staff assistance, the services of the Parish Wedding Facilities Coordinators (required), the use of the Chapel and parish equipment, cleaning of the Chapel, one rehearsal, and the candles (except a Unity Candle). A portion of this fee also goes toward the ongoing upkeep and periodic repairs related to this historic building. The rental of non-parish equipment is not included in these fees.

$400 (of the $1150) is a non-refundable reservation fee and is due when the date and space is reserved. The remainder of the fee ($700) is due sixty (60) days before the wedding.

Important Contacts

Pastor:

Fr. John Auer 471-9700

Deacons:

Rev. Mr. Richard Bowles 219-2705

Rev. Mr. Michael Bowen 527-9791

Wedding Coordinators:

Kris Faricy 632-9767

Ellie Jeffers 636-3670

Administrative Assistant:

Jolene Sisneros 471-9700

Music Director:

Armour Ratcliffe 219-2706

Catholic Engages Encounter:

Jerry & Kerri Neuner 527-1230

Natural Family Planning:

Dan & Leilani Doyle 638-9018

Marriage License:

El Paso County Clerk 520-6200