Baptism
Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.
— John 3:3
Through Baptism, new members are received into the Church, the Body of Christ.
Please check also the "Frequently Asked Questions" below.
For a child under 7 years of age, please fill out the form on this page.
Contact Us for more information.
2023 Children Baptism Classes at 7 PM
2023 Children Baptism Classes at 7 PM
Parents and Godparents are required to attend an evening.
Parents and Godparents are required to attend an evening.
Classes take place in the Annex at 1415 Engracia Ave.
Classes take place in the Annex at 1415 Engracia Ave.
Dates of the class vary each month.
Dates of the class vary each month.
Frequently Asked Questions for Children Baptism
Frequently Asked Questions for Children Baptism
1. We’d like to have our child baptized. What do we need to do?
1. We’d like to have our child baptized. What do we need to do?
Please fill out the form at the bottom this page.
Please fill out the form at the bottom this page.
A parish staff or a priest will contact you to schedule an interview. This interview is to confirm that the requirements are met for the sacrament to take place.
A parish staff or a priest will contact you to schedule an interview. This interview is to confirm that the requirements are met for the sacrament to take place.
If you do not hear from the staff or the priest within 48 hours, please call the parish at 310.328.2776 during office hours from 9 AM to 2 PM.
If you do not hear from the staff or the priest within 48 hours, please call the parish at 310.328.2776 during office hours from 9 AM to 2 PM.
2. How much is the fee?
2. How much is the fee?
The requested donation is $50.
The requested donation is $50.
There is a significant amount of time and work the staff and the clergy put into the preparation and celebration of the sacrament. There is also cost to the materials used in the office as well as in the church.
There is a significant amount of time and work the staff and the clergy put into the preparation and celebration of the sacrament. There is also cost to the materials used in the office as well as in the church.
Please bring cash or check (“Nativity Catholic Church”) to the parish office with the certificate of class attendance. Envelopes are available. Online payment can be made here.
Please bring cash or check (“Nativity Catholic Church”) to the parish office with the certificate of class attendance. Envelopes are available. Online payment can be made here.
3. What do we need to bring to the interview? Who needs to be at the interview?
3. What do we need to bring to the interview? Who needs to be at the interview?
A copy of the birth certificate of the child or a birth document from the hospital, or if it is an adoption, a copy of the official document is needed.
A copy of the birth certificate of the child or a birth document from the hospital, or if it is an adoption, a copy of the official document is needed.
The parents need to come in for the interview. Godparents are welcome, but not required.
The parents need to come in for the interview. Godparents are welcome, but not required.
4. Why do we need to attend a class? When? Where? Any cost?
4. Why do we need to attend a class? When? Where? Any cost?
The sacrament of Baptism requires a good understanding by the parents and godparents who will be responsible for raising the child in the Catholic Faith.
The sacrament of Baptism requires a good understanding by the parents and godparents who will be responsible for raising the child in the Catholic Faith.
A class is offered at our parish hall, at 1415 Engracia Ave. Please call the parish office 310.328.2776 or mail frontdesk@nativitytorrance.org for the next class.
A class is offered at our parish hall, at 1415 Engracia Ave. Please call the parish office 310.328.2776 or mail frontdesk@nativitytorrance.org for the next class.
Parents, as well as godparents, may attend a similar class in another Catholic parish. In that case, please submit a proof of your completion or attendance to our parish office.
Parents, as well as godparents, may attend a similar class in another Catholic parish. In that case, please submit a proof of your completion or attendance to our parish office.
Parents or godparents for a baptism outside of Nativity may attend the class offered here. However, there is a charge of $10 per certificate of attendance.
Parents or godparents for a baptism outside of Nativity may attend the class offered here. However, there is a charge of $10 per certificate of attendance.
Please be sure that the instructors of the class record your attendance for proper credit.
Please be sure that the instructors of the class record your attendance for proper credit.
5. Do we need two persons to be our child’s godparents? Can we have more than two?
5. Do we need two persons to be our child’s godparents? Can we have more than two?
The Catholic Church’s law requires at least one godparent for the child. This person must be a practicing Catholic who has been baptized, confirmed and currently attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion on a regular basis. The Church requires such a person to be the model of faith for the child.
The Catholic Church’s law requires at least one godparent for the child. This person must be a practicing Catholic who has been baptized, confirmed and currently attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion on a regular basis. The Church requires such a person to be the model of faith for the child.
If this person is married, the marriage must have taken place sacramentally, or have been validated, in the Catholic Church. In this case, his or her spouse can be the second godparent.
If this person is married, the marriage must have taken place sacramentally, or have been validated, in the Catholic Church. In this case, his or her spouse can be the second godparent.
Godparents cannot be the child's own parents. The parents are recommended to have practicing Catholics from outside of their immediate family to be the godparents. Baptism takes the baptized into the greater family of God, the Catholic Church, and that they are open to learning more about Jesus Christ and his Church in the larger community of faith.
Godparents cannot be the child's own parents. The parents are recommended to have practicing Catholics from outside of their immediate family to be the godparents. Baptism takes the baptized into the greater family of God, the Catholic Church, and that they are open to learning more about Jesus Christ and his Church in the larger community of faith.
Parents may have other friends or relatives to be secondary sponsors, whom the parents consider to have a good influence on the spiritual growth of the child. They may be present at the baptism and be kept in good relations with the family. However, their names will not be officially recorded in the parish file.
Parents may have other friends or relatives to be secondary sponsors, whom the parents consider to have a good influence on the spiritual growth of the child. They may be present at the baptism and be kept in good relations with the family. However, their names will not be officially recorded in the parish file.
6. What is actually required of the parents?
6. What is actually required of the parents?
The parents are the first teachers of the faith to their child. They will teach by words and examples. They will teach their child to pray at home and take him or her to church on Sundays. When the child is approaching 7 years of age (beginning 2nd grade), they will care to have him or her receive instruction for Holy Communion, and later on for Confirmation (beginning high school).
The parents are the first teachers of the faith to their child. They will teach by words and examples. They will teach their child to pray at home and take him or her to church on Sundays. When the child is approaching 7 years of age (beginning 2nd grade), they will care to have him or her receive instruction for Holy Communion, and later on for Confirmation (beginning high school).
The parents must do their best to build a Catholic home and environment for their family. If the parents have not been married in the Catholic Church, they should consult the priest for guidance and assistance.
The parents must do their best to build a Catholic home and environment for their family. If the parents have not been married in the Catholic Church, they should consult the priest for guidance and assistance.
7. What do we need to bring to the baptism?
7. What do we need to bring to the baptism?
- The child should be dressed in white, the traditional color for baptism.
- The godparent needs to have a small white candle.
- Cameras are allowed at the discretion and instruction of the presider.
- Religious items can be blessed right after the baptism.
- Be sure to ask for the certificate of baptism at the end of the celebration.
8. Could we have a baptism at a date and time we want for our child?
8. Could we have a baptism at a date and time we want for our child?
The regularly scheduled baptism for several children saves us time and expenses. Please bring this matter up with the priest at the interview. There is extra fee (double) when a baptism is requested outside of the regular dates and times.
The regularly scheduled baptism for several children saves us time and expenses. Please bring this matter up with the priest at the interview. There is extra fee (double) when a baptism is requested outside of the regular dates and times.
Additional Resources:
Additional Resources: