Father John Auer dies Nov. 20 at age 79

AURORA. Father John Auer, who served as pastor at several parishes in the Diocese of Colorado Springs before his retirement in 2016, died Nov. 20 at age 79. Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Dec. 4, 5-6 p.m.: Vigil, St. Mary’s Cathedral

Dec. 5, 10 a.m.: Mass of Christian Burial, St. Mary’s Cathedral

Dec. 9, 11 a.m.: Interment at Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs (priest section)

Father Auer was born Oct. 31,1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Edward and Elizabeth Auer. The family later moved to Colorado in 1960. In 1975, Father Auer enrolled in St. Thomas Seminary in Denver and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Denver on May 19, 1979. After ordination, he served at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Denver.

In 1981, he was assigned to Divine Redeemer Parish in Colorado Springs, and he was incardinated into the newly-created Diocese of Colorado Springs in 1984. Other diocesan parishes at which he served included Annunciation and St. Joseph in Leadville; Holy Trinity Parish and St. Paul Parish in Colorado Springs, St. Mark Parish in Highlands Ranch and St. Mary of the Rockies Parish in Bailey.

As pastor of St. Paul, Father Auer led a capital campaign and oversaw the construction of the Julie Penrose Hall and extensive renovations to the school and parish offices.  He also earned a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University of Chicago. 

In his spare time, Father Auer enjoyed fly fishing and spending time with his English Springer Spaniels, Molly and Lacey.