Quinceañera Ministry

We Work Together!

The parishes in Evanston work together to provide Quinceañera Ministry for young people seeking to deepen their commitment to their faith as young adults and even profess that during their Quinceañera ceremony in front of their friends, family, and faith community.

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Inquire Online

Want to know if your date is available before registering? Use the form below to submit an inquiry for the date and more information. PLEASE NOTE: by submitting the inquiry form, it is NOT a confirmation of your requested date for your ceremony. A member of the Quinceañera Ministry Team will be in contact with you within 24 hours of submitting the form.

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Ready to Register?

Contact Yolanda Salgado at yolanda@ucym.org or at 847-719-9071 x295 for schedule an appointment.

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FAQs

When should I be coming in to register?

It is the policy of the parishes that quinces register at least 6 months in advance of their desired ceremony date in order to complete formation in a timely, intentional, and prayerful manner. If you wish to register and it is less than 6 months in advance, you will need to get approval from the UCYM director so that we are sure our team has the capacity to support the faith formation.

Does the young person need to complete their sacraments of initiation in order to have a Quinceañera?

In the Evanston region, the parishes require that a young person be baptized, received First Communion and Reconciliation, and at least be willing to register in Religious Education in preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation in order to be eligible to have a Quinceañera ceremony. If you have not received the sacrament of Confirmation and are not registered in sacramental preparation, you must make an appointment to meet with our director to determine the intention of celebrating your Quinceañera without being fully initiated in the Catholic Church. Our director, in collaboration with the parish priest, will determine the next steps.

What is the fee? 

​The total fee for a Quinceañera is $500. This includes music from the parish, if desired. If you use music from outside the parish, the fee is the same. If members of the choir are requested, there is an additional fee at the discretion of the Director of Music Ministry. We ask that payments are completed no less than 12 hours prior to the ceremony. If you have questions or need to set up a plan, please contact Mireya Dominguez at mireya@ucym.org or call 847-719-9071 x283.

My daughter is way too busy to do the faith formation requirements, can she skip this?

The point of the faith formation is to provide opportunities for a young person to be intentional about practicing their faith; a faith that will be professed in front of family and friends during their ceremony as well as engage with the parish. If there is difficulty with scheduling for faith formation, please make an appointment with your catechist to meet with the UCYM director who can collaborate with the catechist on creating an amended faith formation program that includes both in person and online work specific to that teen. Please note that not all requests for adjusted faith formation will be granted.

If I don't finish my faith formation in time, can I still have my ceremony?

Our strict policy is that a young person has to complete their faith formation and have met with the faith formation team at least TWO WEEKS prior to the ceremony or else the ceremony is subject to postponement or cancelation.

My daughter wants to do a Sweet 16 celebration instead of a traditional Quinceañera, is this doable?

Yes, this is actually becoming very common. The entire process is exactly the same.

Can I do a blessing during a Saturday or Sunday Mass instead of have a separate ceremony? Does doing this change the faith formation requirements? Do I still have to come 6 months in advance to book a blessing at Mass?

Yes, you can do this. If you would like to have this option, please contact James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB at james@ucym.org or call 847-719-9071 x291. Yes, your faith formation requirements would be different. You would not​ have to come 6 months in advance, however, we do recommend coming at least 3 months in advance in order to secure the date.

When is my practice?

Practices for Quinceañera ceremonies are the Friday before the ceremony at 6:30 pm at the church where the ceremony is being celebrated. You must have finished faith formation in order to have your practice. Parent(s)/Guardian(s), Godparent(s), quince party, and lector(s) need to be present for the practice. If you have a special circumstance and need to reschedule or have questions, please contact Yolanda Salgado at yolanda@ucym.org. or call 847-719-9071 x295. ​

Can I bring decorations to the church?

The only decorations that are allowed are flowers. Flowers MUST be natural. No glitter, carpets, arches, etc. ​

Who takes part in the procession during the ceremony?

In exact order...

• Cross
• Candles - 2
• Chambelanes/damas 
• Principal godparent(s) - limit of 2
• Parent(s)/guardian(s)
• Quinceañera
• Clergy

Quinceañera may not process in with anyone next to her.