Paul and Erin's Wedding & Reception

St. George Catholic Church

Wedding Mass

Berry Acres

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

We are so excited to share our story of God’s faithfulness and timing. The best way we know how is as though we are sitting down with you over a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or a whiskey neat. So here we go…

The Greatest Love Story...God's Perfect Timing

Before We Met

"Come and you will see..." (John 1). This was the invitation that Jesus gave his first disciples. And the invitation that He used to invite Paul into many places of “unknown” in his life: from Ph.D to seminary to Kansas City... and which ultimately led him to give Catholic Match a try. “I will lead the blind on a way they do not know; by paths they do not know I will guide them. I will turn darkness into light before them, and make crooked ways straight. These are my promises: I made them, I will not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16). Erin was first struck by this verse while walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain, as it beautifully captures her own journey of discernment and dating. What seemed like a never ending crooked path led Erin and Paul to one another at just the right time in both our lives (and, one month before the pandemic shut down the world, clearing our calendars and creating space for us to get to know one another).

How We Met

Erin: I noticed Paul first! On Catholic Match, Sept. 2019. He caught my attention because it was clear he had a deep personal relationship with the Lord. And it also helped that he was very handsome, articulate... and used correct grammar (if you’ve experienced online dating, you can likely relate). I reached out and he responded…then after I sent my second message to him: CRICKETS! Nothing. Nada. Zilch. “How rude!” (said in my best Stephanie Tanner voice from Full House). Which, as I’d later realize, turned out to be a blessing...because my heart wasn’t quite ready to meet my future husband, when I still had one eye in the rearview mirror. Paul: What first caught my attention about Erin was her obvious love of the outdoors, adventurous spirit, and her apparent closeness with her big family (and I should have led with this…her absolute beauty!). Now to defend myself against the crickets: over the course of a few month period, I composed several responses to Erin, but right at the point of hitting send, I was convicted it was not the right time. DELETE. Again. And again. I didn’t understand it at the time. I just sensed God saying “wait, not yet.” Erin: 2019 was a hard year for me. A very “crooked path”, so to speak. And when December 31, 2019 finally came, I told God I was ready to turn the page and walk forward. No more looking back. Paul: On December 31, 2019, again I found myself writing a message to Erin. But this time, when I went to click “send”, there was no hesitation. Only peace. Erin: I woke up on January 1, 2020, with a message waiting for me from Paul! How unexpected! And this time, I was finally ready to receive it. One month later, on February 1st, we met in person for the first time, over coffee. The beginning of a beautiful courtship that has led us to our wedding day!

Discernment of Marriage

Erin: It is so common for people to ask the questions: “How did he propose? Tell me about the day.” I understand, as I’ve asked that question countless times through the years...and who doesn’t like to hear a heartwarming love story?&nbsp;While it IS a beautiful story of Paul’s thoughtfulness and sweetness (and evidence of how well he knows me), the proposal was the culmination of our courtship and of the more important journey of discerning marriage to one another. This is what we feel compelled to share, because it’s the story of trusting in Jesus and in His goodness, providence, and timing. Paul: Although I didn’t tell her this until the day of my proposal, I knew we were called to marriage shortly after our first coffee. On March 1st, exactly one month after our first date, Erin and I attended a choral concert at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. In the middle of the performance, I just happened to look over at her sitting next to me...and in that moment, I was struck with a thought:&nbsp; You are sitting next to your wife.This brought me great peace, but yet I kept it to myself until the proper time. Erin: Anyone who knows me well knows I am not quick at making decisions. Especially large-scale decisions, ones that involve change and a good dose of the unknown. If Paul had told me then what he knew, I would not have been ready to receive it. In fact, I probably would have laced up my running shoes and headed straight for the door! For me, it was a much longer journey of trusting the voice of the Lord. What I knew deep down was that this relationship was really good, but it took me much longer to trust it was right. Paul: Throughout our courtship, God brought “our” Scripture passages fully alive in our lives, but in an unexpected and funny way (God’s ways are so beyond our understanding).&nbsp;In a way, God began to invite Erin to “come and you will see” and me to trust that He will “make crooked ways straight.”&nbsp;The Scriptures that once guided our individual journeys were now being used in such a beautiful and mysterious way to unite our paths together, drawing us ultimately more in love with God and each other. Paul &amp; Erin: Our discernment of marriage has been a time of God continually calling us “into the deep” (Luke 5:2-4) and asking us “do you trust Me?” It has been a season of joy and challenge, searching and discovery... but through it all we have (together) come to more intimately know the voice of the Authority.&nbsp;It is a story of God’s GOODNESS, perseverance, and promises fulfilled! We look forward to sharing more of our story in the future. For now, we are excited to share our wedding day with you, rejoicing in God’s goodness!! Glory be to God!&nbsp;&nbsp;

Our Story

We've been blessed with a "great cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1) that are our parents, family, friends, pastors, spiritual directors, mentors &amp; saints in heaven. Particular passages of scripture and specific prayers have also journeyed with us during our singleness and courtship. Enjoy!

Favorite Scriptures, Prayers & Saints

In the year of St Joseph (2021), in the month of Mary (May), and on the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus (16th), Paul asked…and Erin gave a JOY-filled fiat! “I have found him whom my soul loves…” - SOS 3:4In God’s perfect timing! "I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart, wait for the Lord." - Psalm 27:13-14 "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouts of joy." - Job 8:21 "Has anyone trusted in the Lord and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his fear and been forsaken? Has anyone called upon him and been ignored? - Sirach 2:10 "Hope does not disappoint..." - Romans 5:5

Be Satisfied with Me 

This prayer is attributed to Saint Anthony of Padua...a saint very close to Erin: Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone,To have a deep soul relationship with another,To be loved thoroughly and exclusively.But God, to a Christian, says,“No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and contentWith being loved by Me alone,With giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me,With having an intensely personal and unique relationshipWith Me alone.Discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found,Will you be capable of the perfect human relationshipThat I have planned for you.You will never be united with another until you are unitedWith Me alone,Exclusive of anyone or anything else,Exclusive of any other desires or longings.I want you to stop planning,Stop wishing,And allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing,One that you cannot imagine.Please allow Me to bring it to you.You just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things.Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I Am.Keep listening and learning the things I tell you.You just wait.That’s all.Don’t be anxious.Don’t worry.Don’t look at the things you think you want;You just keep looking off and away up to Me,Or you’ll miss what I want to show you.And then when you are ready,I’ll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than anyYou could dream of.You see, until you are ready and untilThe one I have for you is ready(I am working even at this moment to have you both ready at the same time),Until you are both satisfied exclusively with MeAnd the life I prepared for you,You won’t be able to experience the love thatExemplified your relationship with Me.And this is the perfect love.And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love,I want you to see in the flesh a picture of yourRelationship with Me,And to enjoy materially and concretelyThe everlasting union of beauty, perfection and loveThat I offer you with Myself.Know that I love utterly.I Am God.Believe it and be satisfied.

Hannah's Story

"Then Hannah spoke up: "Excuse me, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here near you, praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord." Then they worshiped there before the Lord. And Hannah prayed: "My heart exults in the Lord, my horn is exalted by my God...I rejoice in your victory. There is no Holy One like the Lord; there is no Rock like our God..." - 1 Samuel 1 &amp; 2

Mary's Fiat & Magnificat

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." - Luke 1:38 "Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb...at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy...Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to your by the Lord would be fulfilled." - Luke 1: 41-45 "Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior...The Mighty one has done great things for me, and Holy is His Name." - Luke 1: 46-49

Litany of saints

Saints Joseph &amp; Cecilia,Saints Anthony of Padua &amp; John Paul II,Saints Therese of Lisieux, Augustine, Ignatius of LoyolaBlessed Stanley Rother,Holy Family...Pray for Us!

Scriptures & Saints

Photos

Erin's Bridesmaids

Nicole and I met in college playing basketball. After college, we lived together for 7 years! Rarely a day goes by that I don't talk to Nicole...we laugh together, cry together and everything in between. Her kids call me Aunt Erin and to me, she is family! 

Nicole Stevens Underwood

Michelle and I are college sorority sisters! We first connected in our sorority bible study her freshman year and have been friends ever since! From girlfriend vacations to years of game nights, she and her family are always up for a fun time!

Michelle Richards Fees

Cara and I are college sorority sisters! She's my friend who is always up for an adventure...from pacing half marathons to hiking mountains to backpacking to golfing, we are kindred spirits of the outdoors!

Cara Bartow Anger

Rachel and I have lived together for the past five years and are in Catholic community together! Rachel and I love to laugh, blast music, sing and dance around the house. Together, we found ways to make Covid living lots of fun. From princess tea parties, to choreographed dances to workout videos in the front lawn, there is never a dull moment with Rachel!

Rachel Lackups

Melissa and I go all the WAY back to 1st grade! My longest held friendship, we've been through nearly all of life's joys and challenges together.  We are the "sister" to one another that we both always wanted!

Melissa Ziegler Brazile

Paul's Groomsmen

George and I are cousins, but he is more like my brother.  I've known him since birth and we spent our childhood playing sports and baling hay on the family farm. After college, we both moved to Florida, and that is where our brotherhood grew deeper. He inspires me by his creativity, zeal for life, enthusiasm...and his "true grit." I so respect him, and know he always has my back.  I am forever indebted to him for introducing me to  the band MoFro...life changing! 

George Yeager

Marco and I met in 2012 at a Christ Renews His Parish Retreat, one month after my conversion and return to the Catholic Church. From that moment, we quickly became brothers in Christ, journeying through all of life's highs and lows. Marco helped me discern a call to the priesthood and his two sons - our ring bearers -  call me Godfather.

Marco Paredes

I met Greg and Natalie the fall of 2012. They welcomed me into their home and family, and through Greg, I witnessed what a Christ-centered husband and father looks like.  My favorite moments happened with Greg and Natalie on the front porch rocking chairs - beverage in hand - praying, laughing, and helping each other with life's decisions big and small.

Greg Hand

Rob and I also met in 2012 at the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat. What a free-spirited, deeply-in-love-with-Jesus, intellectual who is perpetually trying to manage chaos and order! I finally met someone who "gets me".  Rob has truly been with me through it all: reversion to the Catholic Church, present at my dissertation defense, and supporting me in my discernment to the priesthood.  Rob's utter joy for life, is best displayed during our times together at the Bradfordville Blues Club!

Rob Glueckauf

Wedding Party

The Berry Acres room rate is $99/night. Be sure to ask for this rate when you make your reservation. The hotel is just 10 minutes away from the Berry Acres reception and 15 minutes away from St. George Catholic Church. There will also be a shuttle that runs to/from Berry Acres and the Holiday Inn Express.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oak Grove, an IHG Hotel

There are 15 rooms in the block: 10 rooms with two queen beds at $93 plus tax. There are 5 rooms with one king bed at $89 plus tax. Reserve before Sept. 21st, as the rooms will be released from the block if not reserved by this date. Ask for the Hughes/Stein block when you call to make the reservation. There will not be a shuttle that runs to/from this hotel and reception. It is a 15 minute drive from the Berry Acres reception and 20 minutes to St. George Catholic Church

Comfort Inn Grain Valley - Kansas City

If you are flying in for the wedding, MCI is closest airport. It is about 45 minutes from the hotel and 55 minutes from Odessa.

Kansas City International Airport

Travel & Accommodations

Looking for something to do between the wedding and reception? Here are some ideas for you to explore the Stein family’s lovely hometown of Odessa, MO! The following will be open between the wedding &amp; reception: Ice Cream, Coffee, Cocktails &amp; Snacks:~ Odessa Creamery ~~ Cup and Cork ~~ Broken Dollar Saloon ~ Antiques &amp; Other Treasures:~ Silver Fox ~~ Stormy Acres ~~ Olive Branch ~~ Marmees ~~ Bushel and a Peck ~~ Fiber Passion ~ Shuttle (updated 9-21-21):The shuttle will be available for guests at the end of the reception. It will take people to the Holiday Inn Express, Oak Grove. Anyone who chooses to take the shuttle on Saturday night will be picked up on Sunday morning to go back and get their vehicles.

Exploring Downtown Odessa

Want to keep the party going past 10pm? Check out MO Country in Grain Valley: http://mo-country.com/mo-country/ A fun country western dance hall with dancing (of course), pool, darts, bull riding, beer pong, and lots of space to gather and socialize. Stays open until 3am. Bonus - it's only a 5-10 minute drive from either hotel!

After Reception

If you are looking for a place to attend Sunday Mass, here are a couple local options, along with Mass times: St. Jude Catholic Church | 2001 S Broadway, Oak Grove, MO 64075Sunday, 10:30am St. George Catholic Church | Odessa, MOSunday, 8:30am

Erin + Paul

Erin + Paul

Photos