Baptism

“Baptism takes away original sin, all personal sins and all punishment due to sin. It makes the baptized person a participant in the divine life of the Trinity through sanctifying grace, the grace of justification which incorporates one into Christ and into His Church.” – (from the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church #263)

Holy Baptism is the gateway of God’s grace to the soul. The Church strongly urges parents to baptize their children soon after birth so that they may benefit from God’s own divine life dwelling within them.

The birth of your child is such a gift! Let the Nativity parish help you give the gift of new birth through the waters of Holy Baptism.

For a Baptism at the Church of the Nativity, all requirements must be completed and forms received before scheduling.

• A parent must be an active parishioner of Nativity or another Catholic parish.
  An active parishioner at Nativity is: 1) registered with the parish, 2) attends Mass regularly on Sundays and Holy Days, and 3) makes regular and identifiable contributions (parish envelopes or electronic giving) for at least three months prior to scheduling the Baptism.
  
• Godparents for Baptism must be active parishioners of Nativity or another Catholic parish. 
  Godparents must fill out, sign, and submit to the Director of Religious Education a Certificate for Sponsor Eligibility (link below).
  Godparents who are members of parishes other than Nativity must have their Pastor sign the form.
  
• Parents must attend Baptismal preparation class prior to the Baptism.
  Parents should contact the Director of Religious Education, Mary Smith to schedule a Baptism preparation class.
  

Regarding Godparents: Godparents are practicing Catholics who promise to aid their godchild in learning and growing in the Roman Catholic faith. When choosing this most important role, at least one person must be a practicing Catholic and at least sixteen years old and, if married, must have been married validly according to Canon Law of the Catholic Church. Another baptized Christian may stand as a Christian witness, but such persons are not true godparents, who promise to help raise a child specifically in the Roman Catholic faith and to be a spiritual role model for our Catholic faith. It is strongly urged that both be practicing Catholics and, therefore, true Godparents.

If you are an adult seeking Baptism or more information on the Catholic faith, see Adult Formation.