Our Lady of Sorrows/Santisima Trinidad Quincanera Guidelines 

1. Please understand that the Quince Anos Celebration is not a Mass, but a celebration of the Liturgy of the Word conducted by a Deacon. As our priests have limited availability, Deacons are the celebrants. 
2. The celebration of the Quince Anos is scheduled for either 12 noon or 2 p.m. on Saturdays only. 
3. The family requesting the Quince Anos for their daughter, should be registered and contributing members of the OLS/ST parish. If one is not a member of OLS/ST they should be guided by the guidelines set by the pastors of the other parishes they attend. While we may still be able to accomodate the family of another parish; we remind you that it is not the responsibility of the OLS/ST to provide these services. 
4. The young lady seeking to make her Quince Anos should be enrolled in CCD or be attending Catholic School. 
5. The celebration should be scheduled 6 months in advance. While we know you may have a desired date and time, we give precedence to weddings, as they are a sacrament. Even if you desire a 2 p.m. Quince celebration, and we have a wedding scheduled on the same day; the wedding takes precedence. 
6. The cost to use the parish is $450.00 that must be paid 2 months before the ceremony. A $100.00 non-refundable payment must be made at the time the Quince Anos is scheduled and will be applied to the total cost. In the event that you cancel your celebration, OLS/ST will keep the $100.00 non-refundable fee. We accept payments, but the total amount must be paid 2 months before the celebration. Included in this fee is: rehearsal time in the church the night before the celebration, the stipend provided for the Deacon, and the use of the church the day of the celebration. Most people arrive early enough to set up any floral arrangements and we will make sure that the church is open and that the air conditioner/heater are on before you arrive. 
7. The parish does not provide music for your event , but will provide you with the names and phone numbers of parish musicians if you desire. The fee does not include music provided for the celebration should you request it. Music should be religious and no secular pop or rock music is allowed. We also do not allow CDs to be played during the ceremony, as this is a liturgical celebration. 
8. Flowers are permitted and you may place your arrangements at the altar and on the pedestals at the base of the mosiac. Pew decorations are permitted only if they can be placed on plastic clip, so that we may protect our pews from being scratched or damaged. 
9. Modesty is required of both the young lady celebrating her Quince Anos and her attendants/faith companions. While we understand that many stykes no longer modest options; modesty can be achieved by using bolero jackets, shrugs, or lace shawls to cover exposed skin. We must remember that the Church is a sacred space and that we must have respect for for God's presence within the Church. Stapless dresses, low cut (front and back), and short dresses are inappropriate for a church ceremony. 
10. Readings are selected from the Old Testament, Responsorial Psalm and Gospel taken from the New Testament. The family should encourage a relative or close friend of the young lady to read the Liturgy of the Word. The Deacon will read the Gospel and preach a homily. Intercessions will also be read by a Deacon. 
11. After the homily, the young lady renew her baptismal promises and recite a prayer where she states her intentions to lead a Christian life. Afterwards, she will take flowers and place it at the image of Our Lady of Sorrows and Christ, where she will say a brief prayer. 
12. During the time the young lady has gone to place her flowers, the gifts may be blessed by the Deacon. 
13. The Lord's prayer is recited and then the young lady is given a blessing by the Deacon. 
14. The Deacon then blesses all present who are gathered for the celebration. 
15. The young lady and her faith companions (court) recess out during the recessional hymn, if music is available. She may take photos immediately afterwards. 
16. Once again, all present must remember that this is a sacred space and any photos taken should reflect the sacredness of the occasion and moment. We may ask you to refrain from posing for photos that do not take the sacredness of the church into account; especially when gatheres before the altar.