Lectures Schedule
Lectors Guidelines
Spirituality:
Proclaiming the word at Mass is a proper ministry of the church. It
takes its place in the spirit of full, active and conscious
participation in the celebration. Each one chosen for this
ministry should have a good understanding of the ministry: that God
speaks to us through us. The Lector is the one who is being
used by God to communicate the word to everyone.
Given this
awareness, it=s
incumbent on Lectors to have a proper disposition:
one of respect and reverence for the Word and its proper
proclamation. If this is so we should prepare ourselves by reviewing
the readings during the week, preparing them for presentation and
being sensitive to phrasing and problematic word pronunciation.
Always come
groomed and dressed appropriately.
We don=t
have to dress to the nines but we do need to wear better than
average clothes - what we traditionally called our Sunday best.
We strongly encourage you to come prepared regardless of the
schedule. Many times readers run into circumstances at the last
minute and cannot fulfill their commitment - so we have to ask
someone right on the spot!
Arrive at
least fifteen minutes ahead of the celebration and ensure the Lectionary and related
materials - greeting and intercessions - are properly placed.
Format
One Lector
(First reading) come in
procession holding the BOOK OF THE GOSPELS. It is held high
as a sign that God=s
word is moving through the congregation. Upon arrival at the
sanctuary, the Book is placed on the altar in the usual way. Take
your place in the congregation.
First Reading
Come forward
once the opening prayer has been completed. No bowing is called for
- go straight to the Lectern. The LECTIONARY should already
be on the Lectern and opened to the correct reading.
Looking
straight at the congregation
say: A reading from ...............
Pause
Begin - pace
yourself, go slowly - proclaim the word rather than reading words
from the page.
Good eye contact, proper expression,
proclaim with passion.
At the end -
pause - looking straight at the congregation say: The Word of the
Lord. Response is: Thanks be to God.
Return to your
place for the singing of the psalm. If the psalm is not being sung,
stay to recite it.
In that case you would simply state
the refrain and everyone would repeat it.
Once the psalm is completed, return
to your place
Second
Reading:
The second
reader is already seated near the front. Once the first reader
leaves the Lectern after the psalm has been sung or recited - come
forward
Same deliberate
approach as the first reading:
Good eye
contact - looking straight at the congregation, introduce the
reading
eg. A reading
from.................................
Pause
Read slowly, deliberately and
pronounce the word well - proclaim it.
At the end of the reading - pause -
then, looking at the congregation, say: The Word of the Lord.
Close the Lectionary and place it on
the table near the lectern. Return to your place
INTERCESSIONS
Once the Priest stands and the creed
is recited, come forward. The Priest will introduce the
intercessions and you begin by saying: Lord, hear our prayer.
Everyone responds in kind.
Read the intercessions slowly and
pause before saying; we pray...
Once the intercessions are completed,
stay in place until the Priest completes the concluding prayer. Then
return to your place. Thank you for your ministry.
Note: While
prayers are being said, there should no unnecessary movement -
everyone holds their position.
EUCHARISTIC
MINISTERS:
The same thinking
applies generally as to Lectors: Come properly disposed - grooming,
dress etc. Come well in advance, be prepared to participate even
if you are not scheduled - sometimes things happen and we may have to
ask for volunteers.
Format:
During the
singing of the Lamb of God, come forward
and stand behind or beside the altar.
Hand wipes are
usually available
Receive as usual
the host plus from the chalice
- under both kinds
The Priest will
present you with the communion dish or chalice
plus the purificator.
When all is ready,
we go to the people
If you are
distributing the hosts: Hold
the host straight at the communicant, make eye contact and say: The Body
of Christ - clearly and audibly. Communicant replies: Amen. Place the
host on their hand or tongue as presented.
If you are
administering the chalice:
Hold the chalice up and looking at the communicant say: The Blood of
Christ. Communicant replies: Amen.
Rotate the
chalice after each communicant
receives - wiping as you go.
In the case of
children - they should receive
from the cup only under parental direction.
Once the rite is
completed, return to the
credence table, cleanse the vessels in the usual way then return to your
place. Be very careful on the steps.
Thank you for
participating in this special service
at the celebration of Mass. It is,
indeed, a privilege to be called into this ministry in virtue of our
baptism.
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