May 4, 2025 | 4PM

Juan & Katherine met at St. Katherine’s Catechism Class in September 2023. (Juan saved an aisle seat for a stranger, and Katherine, per usual, showed up late, snagged the seat, and struck up conversation with a stranger!) Juan asked Katherine to coffee, Katherine thought Juan was hitting on her, Juan gave Katherine his email. Katherine realized she wanted to see Juan again while in Chicago for her Godsister’s wedding, when she looked for and couldn’t find his email. Back in Phoenix, they both went back to the classes, and found each other! Finally, they went to coffee, accompanied by Grace, and many songs were sung. From there, they began seeing each other regularly…at Church services. Juan impressed Katherine with his crocheting and found Katherine’s weak spot - Big Gulps (ehem - Polar Pops). Through the intercession of Michelle’s Christmas Eve service people-watching, an invite from Fr. Matt, a cold, and an elementary school style will-you-date-me note, the two became official. Over time, their relationship (to each other, and to God) grew with support from Teta Anna’s prayers, Gordon's songbooks and the GoArch Digital Chant Stand, St. John's the Evangelist's Wednesday vespers crew, their wonderful friend-family at the School of Community/Communion and Liberation....and friends and family everywhere. After a cross-town move, an audacious cat rescue, San Diego and Tucson road trips, many late night discussions, and many many Masses, Divine Liturgies, Vespers, dinner parties, & sing alongs together, the moment came. Juan proposed to Katherine on a hot summer day in Katherine’s backyard. With Katherine’s dad and Yiayia en-route for a surprise Birthday dinner, Juan decided he had something in his car that he wanted to give Katherine. With wind blowing in his hair, (and Katherine still dirty from a CL retreat, sweaty, and covered in cooking grease), he ran and got that something from his vehicle. After returning, he bent down on a knee and told Katherine she was wonderful and asked her a question. (Spoiler Alert - She Said Yes!) They are so grateful for all of you. They are so excited to continue to help each other grow, surrounded by community, as husband and wife.

Our wedding ceremony is regarded as one of the seven sacraments. It is our blessing and our honor to share these first moments in our marriage with you. Our wedding ceremony in the church is very important to us. As the wedding approaches, we kindly ask for your prayers and we are grateful for your love. We cannot wait to start our lives together surrounded by our loving family and friends. Thank you for reading!