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Requirements to celebrate a Quinceañera at St. Mary's Church
The celebration of the Quinceañera is a special time for the girl and her family. Parents and friends publicly present her as a gesture of thanks and gratitude for the gift of life. For the Quineceañera it is an affirmation of her commitment to Christ. The Quinceañera, though not a sacrament is sacramental and therefore, can be celebrated in different forms depending on the family’s needs and its participation in the life of the parish
Quninceañera Celebration Options-the family chooses one of the following:
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A Mass of Thanksgiving with the blessing of religious articles, gifts from friends and family who attend. These are signs of gratitude for the beautiful young lady who celebrates today. These are private masses and are usually scheduled on a Saturday afternoon around 2:00 p.m. These masses MUST be scheduled at least 6 months in advance.
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A Mass during the regularly scheduled masses on Saturday and Sunday. The parents, along with their daughter, family and friends will be seated in reserved spaces. The parents, siblings or sponsors keep the gifts to be given to the young girl. In the presence of the faith community, parents and child will receive Holy Communion together.
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A Celebration in a place chosen by the family. The priest or deacon may choose to go to the place where the celebration is being held. He blesses the girl, attending family and friends, and the religious articles to be given to the girl. A special prayer of advice to the parents, teen and sponsors may be prayed.
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A variation during the afternoon Liturgy of the Hours. This can be presided over by a deacon or lay person. It could be in the church, at home, or in some other space chosen by the parents. A blessing at dinner from the Book of Blessings can be prayed.
Elements that can be added include the renewal of baptismal promises and the Act of Devotion to Christ and to the Virgin Mary.
Remember: the Act of Thanksgiving and the Blessing given are the key elements in the Quinceañera. The ceremony should be very memorable for those involved, especially the teen, family and close friends.
A family is considered active in the life of faith of the Church if:
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regular attendance at Mass
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regular attendance of religious education classes.
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family registered in the parish
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the Quinceañera needs to be involved in the youth program
The Quinceañera must have ALL this done and handed in two weeks before the date of the celebration to the Director of Religious Education:
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the Quinceañera will have a signature form for the Deacon or Father to date/sign after attending Mass.
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the Quinceañera must have received the sacrament’s of Baptism and First Communion=submit a copy of certificate if not done at St. Mary's Church.
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the Quinceanera Candidate must complete 25 hours of community service at St. Mary's Church prior to the Quinceañera celebration.
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must receive the Rite of Reconciliation (confession)
If the Quinceañera is lacking in any of these requirements, there will be no celebration.
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