Quinceañera Guidelines at STM/OLG
Effective May 2021

General Requirements
The candidate, together with her family, must be active parishioners and she must be enrolled in our CCD program for the two years prior to her quince años and continue in our CCD program for the sacrament of Confirmation.

Sacramental Requirements
The candidate must have received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Communion. She should go to Confession before her quinceañera.

Service Hour Requirements
A quinceañera is a time of celebrating our Lord’s love and blessing of a young lady. It is expected such young lady is capable of showing our Lord’s grace by means of charity and service. A quinceañera candidate must complete five hours of community service. A letter of completion of hours must be submitted 2 weeks prior to service.

Reservation and Scheduling
The candidate must first contact the parish office and see if dates are available. The parish office will then confirm with either the priest or the deacon to see if they are available to perform the service. A date cannot be confirmed until availability of the minister is confirmed and requirements of candidate (see above) is verified. Due to the need to use the Church on Saturday’s for weddings and possible funerals, a Saturday day CANNOT be guaranteed. Reservation must happen at least 6 months in advance. Scheduling of the church DOES NOT include reservation of the parish hall. The availability of the parish hall is NOT guaranteed and the must be done separately incurring its own necessary fees.  

Liturgy
In the Diocese of Victoria the normal celebration of a quinceañera is done outside of mass in the form a Liturgy of the Word. The order of service is as follows: 1) Procession, 2) Opening Prayer, 3) Old Testament Reading, 4) Psalm, 5) New Testament reading, 6) Gospel, 7) Homily, 8) Prayers of the Faithful, 9) quinceañera prayer, 10) flowers to the Blessed Virgin, 11) Final Prayer and Blessing, 12) Dismissal.  However a mass is permitted if the celebrant and church are available. Service will normally be held on Saturday at 1pm or 2pm. If a Mass is to be celebrated that MUST be confirmed 6 months in advanced. Else a deacon will celebrate a Liturgy of the Word.

Dress Code
Dress is modest for candidate, parents and any attendees. (Clothes must reflect the occasion – nothing too revealing can be worn. A full dress or jacket must be worn.) GLITTER IS FORBIDDEN!

Items Blessed During Service
These items will be blessed during Mass – Bible, Rosary, and Necklace of Our Blessed Mother or a Crucifix. A quinceañera crown is not permitted during the service. Pillows will not be blessed.

Attendees & Procession
Attendees are welcome, but will not process in. The procession will consist of a maximum of 6 couples, the quinceañera candidate, her parents, and the minister. A horse drawn carriage is forbidden.

Disclaimer

Please do not leave personal property unguarded (purses, cameras, etc.) either before or after the quinceañera celebration or rehearsal.
NOTE: St. Michael’s/ Our Lady of Guadalupe is not responsible for any lost or stolen items left on the property before, during or after the celebration.

DECORUM

St. Michael’s/ Our Lady of Guadalupe is a place of prayer and worship. We ask that all who enters into this sacred space maintain a proper respect of reverence. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS ALCOHOL PERMITTED on the premises of the Church. Loud yelling is not permitted inside the church. Chewing gum, food, drinks and smoking are also forbidden in the church. The candidate and parents are responsible for relaying all guidelines on decorum to the family members who will be in attendance.
 

Church Environment

Flowers for the Blessed Mother Mary
Since the area where the flowers are to be placed for our Blessed Mother Mary is very small, we ask the flowers be brought as a small bouquet or an in small vase.

Flowers and Decorations
No flowers petals, rice, birdseed or bubbles are allowed to be thrown anywhere on the church property (not inside or outside of the church). No tape (scotch or masking) is to be placed on the pews. An arch of flowers is not permitted. Decorations are to be kept to a minimum.

Fees

Church & Minister
Fees include the following; A church usage fee and a stipend for the priest. If a group quinceañera add an $100 per quinceañera candidate. Fees are to be paid 2 weeks prior to service. Fee does not include music, please contact the music director.

Parishioners  
Church ……………… $250.00
Stipend for Celebrant/Minister ……$250.00
Total…………………….$500.00  (+$100 per additional quinceanera candidate) 


Non-Parishioners  (Lives outside parish boundaries)
Church ……………… $400.00
Stipend for Celebrant/Minister ……$300.00
Total…………………….$700.00  (+$100 per additional quinceanera candidate)