Nativity Catholic Church

Nativity Catholic Church 5220 Johnson Street, Hollywood, FL 33021 Telephone # 954-987-3300 Ext. 214 Fax 954-987-3044 Attention: Melanie E-mail [email protected]

Thank you for entering your child into the Catholic faith at Nativity. Baptism is the first sacrament of the seven sacraments of the Church. Baptism is an exciting moment. It is a time of welcoming and joy as someone becomes a member of the Church. However, it is more than a welcoming. In Baptism, your child: o becomes a child of God o is given a share in God’s very life o is reborn into God’s life o is united with Jesus in His death and resurrection o dies to sin and rises to new eternal life, as Jesus did

Documents needed for Baptism  Completed Baptism Registration Form  Birth Certificate of Child o Adoption papers if applicable o Divorce Decree or Custody Agreement if applicable  Proof of parent(s) belonging to a Catholic Parish o If you attend Nativity, but have not registered, please complete a Parish Census Form o If you belong to another parish, please get a Letter permitting the child’s baptism at Nativity  Letters from the godparents’ parish permitting/verifying that they may be a godparent  Proof of parents and godparents attending baptism class o If attending at Nativity, please be sure you sign in o If attending at another Catholic Parish, please provide a letter from the parish ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO BAPTISM

What you need to know about Baptisms at Nativity Catholic Church When are Baptisms held?  Baptisms are held on Sundays after the 11:30AM Mass. o If you are not attending the 11:30AM Mass, please arrive no later than 12:40 pm. o Please tell friends and family the same time. o Please enter church quietly & respectfully especially if coming near the end of Mass.  English baptisms are held the first, second, and fourth Sundays of the month.  Spanish baptisms are held once a month on the third Sunday of the month. How long does the Baptism last?  Baptisms generally have no more than five children which takes approximately one hour to complete.  Spanish baptisms may have up to seven children baptized which takes a little over one hour to complete.

Is there a fee required?  No fee is asked for the baptism of your child. A donation would be appreciated and can be given to the priest or deacon on the day of the baptism.

What are the clothing requirements for the child?  All children should be dressed in white clothing. o Older children to be baptized can wear a white dress shirt or blouse with dress pants or skirt or a white dress or suit. Ivory and other shades of white are accepted.  We do not give a white garment at the baptism due to the age range of children.  Parents, godparents, family & friends should be dressed respectful of this special time.

Do we bring our own candle?  No, a candle is given to you at the baptism. Do children over 6 years need to attend Religious Ed class before baptized?  Yes, they are at an age of reason and are aware of what is happening. The Archdiocese requires they attend RCIA adapted for children and at the end of two years receive Baptism and First Communion. If at confirmation age, also receive Confirmation.

What is required of the parents?  As parents, baptizing your child holds responsibility. Since your child is too young to know what is happening, you promise to help your child to grow each day as faithful followers of Jesus Christ and members of the Church. Please remember your promise by attending Sunday Mass weekly with your child and enrolling your child in religious instruction when they enter school.  At least one parent should be a member of Nativity parish for at least three months. To register, complete a Census card at the church office or ask an usher/sacristan at Mass for a Parish Census card. Complete and return to the collection basket and you are registered in the parish.  The baptismal registration form can be completed in person at the church office, faxed, e-mailed.  Parents must attend a baptism class after completing a baptismal registration form.  A copy of the child’s birth certificate is needed. To obtain the certificate if born in Broward County, call or go to Broward County Health Dept., Vital Statistics Office, 2421-A S.W. 6th Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (on State Road 84, one mile East of I-95 on the South side of State Road 84 & 6th Avenue.) Phone # 954-467-4413 .  If one parent is not Catholic, we require a brief notarized note from the parent stating the parent accepts this baptism. This is done to show respect for the other parent’s wishes.  If you are divorced or not married and one parent is not participating in the baptism, we require a copy of the document of sole custody or the above mentioned letter that the other parent accepts this baptism.  If the child is adopted, we require a copy of adoption papers.  If you are from another parish, we must have written permission from your parish for your child to be baptized at Nativity church. Example: most of family lives here and you would like the baptism with family

Choosing godparents  A Godparent should be a person you feel will help your child grow to be a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of the Catholic Church. The godparent must be a Catholic in good standing, which means a baptized Catholic who received Communion, Confirmation, attends Mass regularly, and is in a valid marriage or single and not living with someone outside of a valid marriage. The sponsor should be 16 years or older.  A sponsor’s certificate is required. It is a brief note from the Catholic parish the godparent attends stating they are a Catholic in good standing and verifying/permitting the person to be a godparent.  One godparent is required. Two godparents are strongly recommended. o One confirmed Catholic is required. o If there are two godparents, one must be male and one female. o Two confirmed Catholics are recommended. o One person of another Christian denomination, who has been baptized and is a believing Christian, may be chosen. The person is a Christian Witness of Baptism. o A Catholic who has not received all three sacraments cannot be a godparent because they are not fully initiated into the Catholic faith. . We strongly recommend the RCIA (Religious Education for Adults) program for our Catholic friends and family who were unable to complete all the sacraments at a younger age. Classes begin in October and end in May, please contact the rectory for more information.  If the Godparent is unable to attend, another person (proxy) can stand in for them at the baptism. o Requirements for the proxy are the same as the godparent. However, the godparent’s name will be on the baptismal certificate as the godparent. o A letter from the godparent not attending stating they accept the responsibility of being a godparent is strongly recommended. What is required of the godparent before the baptism?  A sponsor’s certificate is required. It is a brief note from the Catholic parish the godparent attends stating they are a Catholic in good standing and verifying/permitting the person to be a godparent.  Attend the baptism class

Who is required to take the baptism class?  Both Parents  Both Godparents and Christian Witnesses of Baptism

When is the baptism class held?  Generally English Baptism Class is held the third Monday of the month in the Parish Hall at 7 p.m. o The class is taught by the deacons. o Do not bring documents to class. All documents should be submitted directly to the Parish Office.  Generally Spanish baptism class is held the Saturday before the third Sunday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

Where is the baptism class held at Nativity?  Classes are held in the Parish Hall. o The Parish Hall is located near the hay barn.

What if I can not attend the baptism class at Nativity?  You may attend baptism class at another parish. o If not at Nativity, a note from the parish of baptism class attendance is required. . Please make sure your child’s name is mentioned on the note.