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The Virgin Mary is a model for women of every class and age group. The Quinceañera ritual is valuable for the religious message it sends, not only to young people, but also to parents, grandparents, Godparents, and the entire parish in calling us to prayerfully join with youth in making a commitment to God and the Church.

Celebrating your daughter’s Quinceañera is a wonderful event for you, your family, friends, and the Church. It is a special day to celebrate what God has accomplished in your daughter over the last 15 years. The world was blessed when God created her. The Church was blessed when you as parents presented her for Baptism. Our parish of Emmaus is blessed as you present her to God on the day of her fifteenth birthday.

We, as the family of God, congratulate you. We are committed to making this day memorable. To help with this, please read our guidelines carefully so that you may prepare for this celebration in a meaningful way. We pray that this day will be a blessing for you.

General Information

Parents who are registered at Emmaus may request a Quinceañera for their daughter by calling the parish office at least six months in advance. The Quinceañera candidate and her parents must attend Mass every Sunday.

The candidate must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist before the ceremony is scheduled. The candidate is to have received the Sacrament of Confirmation or be in the process of receiving this Sacrament.

The candidate must be attending Faith Formation classes for at least 2 years.

Scheduling:

Quinceañeras may be celebrated within the Mass with a Priest or within the Liturgy of the Word with a Deacon. Quinceañeras may be scheduled on Saturdays at 10 AM or at 2 PM. Quinceañeras may not be celebrated on Sundays or during the Lenten season. Please note that the celebration begins promptly since there may be other liturgies the same day. Therefore, punctuality is a must; otherwise, your event will be shortened or even canceled.

1. 6-9 Months in Advance: Schedule meeting with Suevan Resendiz at the parish office.

2. Fee: $650, with $150 of that due at time of scheduling; remaining $500 balance may be paid in 1 or 2 payments, with final due at least 1 month prior to event.

3. 3 Months in Advance: Scedule meeting with Bertha Halfmann.

4. Candidate, court, and family must attend 2 one-hour sessions.

5. Day of Event: Attend rehearsal one hour prior to the Mass.

Guest Priest/Deacon

A guest priest or deacon is welcome to preside at the Quinceañera. Those from outside the Austin Diocese must submit a testimony of suitability and a delegation. Those from within the Austin Diocese need only a delegation form. You must provide the office with the contact information and the office will submit the forms to the Priest/Deacon.

Reconciliation

All Quinceañeras must receive reconciliation no later than two weeks prior to their celebration. Please note that NO confessions are heard before the celebration. Confessions at Emmaus are on Wednesday, 5-5:30 PM, Saturday, 4-4:45 PM, or by appointment. In order to accompany you during the ceremony, your court must receive reconciliation. Let them know about the confession times. You/your court may go to confession at any Catholic church.

Music

Music is an integral part of your ceremony. Since your Quinceañera is a religious event, all musical selections are to be of a religious nature. If you plan to have any music in your celebration, all music must go through and be approved by John Guarino, Emmaus’ Director of Music Ministries. Please contact John Guarino at (512) 261-8500 x 408 or by email at [email protected]. It is your responsibility to pay the musicians two weeks before the event.

Photographs and Videos

We gather together for Quinceañeras in the context of a sacred ceremony. For that reason, only the professional photographer functioning under strict guidelines is permitted to take photographs during the Quinceañera. Flash photography is not allowed during the ceremony. No extra lighting is permitted. All photographers/videographers must sign a guideline agreement sheet.

Flowers and Decorations

Flowers are the responsibility of the family. The florist must sign a guideline agreement sheet. Due to the danger to yourself and your guests, we do not allow aisle runners, the throwing of rice or birdseed, or lighted candles. Decorations may not be taped, nailed, glued, tacked, or stapled to the end of pews. They may only be clipped with florist clips or tied. You may not change or move any of the décor within the church.

Miscellaneous

• On the day of the Quinceañera, everyone involved in the ceremony must arrive 15-20 minutes before the rehearsal time. The liturgy will begin promptly at the scheduled time and only those in line 15 minutes prior to the celebration will be able to participate.

• Gifts can only include the Bible, rosary, medal, crown, and candle; all other gifts should already be worn or presented at the reception.

• We highly recommend that all the Catholic members involved in the celebration receive Holy Communion on that day. Please select Sponsors who can and will receive Communion; this is mandatory for the official ‘’Sponsor /Velacion,” since you can choose them and make sure they are able to join you in receiving Communion.

Dress Code

• All attire must be appropriate for the house of God.

• Men/boys involved in the Quince años may not wear shorts or hats.

• Women/girls involved in the Quince años may not wear strapless dresses, shorts, or short dresses. If a dress is strapless, a shawl must be worn.

We look forward to celebrating such a beautiful day with you and give thanks to our loving God for all the blessings received. For further information, please call our parish office at (512) 261-8500 x 207.