LITURGICAL MINISTRIES

LECTORS

Lectors are those who are committed to the ministry of the Word of God. Through prayerful proclamation, lectors embody the Sacred Word in a very special way. God's Word is alive and active and the presence of Christ radiates from its proclamation at the liturgy. Thus, the lector is entrusted with the awesome task of being the "proclaimer" amidst the assembly.

If you feel called to this sacred ministry, call the Parish Office (335-2385) or stop by and talk to any lector after any Mass.

YOUTH AND ADULTS

Lectors who can effectively and enthusiastically proclaim the Word of God are selected by a process of discernment and audition. In addition, lectors are provided with training via a workbook and private study. 

We invite all ages, children and adults, to participate in this ministry. Volunteers are needed at weekend Masses, daily Masses, Holy Day Masses, and funerals. Two-month schedules are sent out to each lector; normally, lectors proclaim the Word at one or two Masses per month.

Prayer for Ministers of the Word

Lord God,
You have called us to share the words of life with Your people.
Just as the Holy Bread is food for our souls, 
So are Your words nourishment for our hearts.

As You cleansed the lips of the Prophet Isaiah with a burning coal,
Free our tongues so that we might speak to the weary 
A word that will rouse them.

Burn into our hearts a true love for Your holy Word
So that we may proclaim the Good News of salvation 
To Your glory.

We pray through Jesus, Your Son.
​Amen.

LECTOR ASSIGNMENTS

1. Every two months you will receive a calendar showing all Lectors' names, phone numbers, and assignments.
     A. If you are unable to serve at your scheduled Mass, please call another Lector to sub or to switch.
          *There have been Masses where no Lector showed up. It is absolutely unacceptable to simply not show up for your assignment. Not showing up without making arrangements could lead to your being removed from the Lector list.
     B. Once you have a substitute arranged, notify the Ministry Head.
     C. In case of emergency, please call your co-Lector to do both readings or call the Ministry Head.

2. Every November, every Lector at Holy Family receives the newest annual edition of the Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers, and Proclaimers of the Word. Please use this study guide at home to prepare for both readings on the days you are scheduled to serve as Lector.
     A. Review the helpful notes and background to the readings.
     B. When there are unfamiliar or difficult words, look for their correct pronunciation in the margins of the workbook.
     C. Practice your assigned reading out loud, focusing on sufficient volume, eye contact, pacing, pronunciation, and conveyance of meaning.

3. Please arrive in the Ministry Room no later than 20 minutes prior to the start of Mass.
     A. After signing in, proceed to the ambo and prepare the Lectionary for readings.
     B. Return to the Ministry Room and review the Announcements and Prayers of the Faithful.
*Please make sure that the Priest and Deacon listed are actually the ones celebrating the Mass.
*Review the pronunciation of the name of the person listed for the Mass Intention, and review the pronunciation of the names of the people who recently passed away (listed in the Prayers of the Faithful). If you have questions about the pronunciation, ask.
     C. If the other Lector scheduled to read has not signed in, you may search for a replacement in the congregation about 10 minutes before Mass, or you may decide to proclaim both readings.

​4. The FIRST PROCLAIMER is part of the entrance procession. He or she proclaims the First Reading and perhaps the Prayers of the Faithful. 
     A. Procession:
* The order of procession is Altar Servers first, Lector #1 second, Deacon(s), and Priest(s) last. The Altar Servers will ascend the steps to the sanctuary, the Lector will then bow and immediately take a seat. Lectors do not line up with the clergy to bow.
*No more bowing is necessary during the rest of Mass, until the Recession. It is only necessary to bow when you are directly in front of the altar or the tabernacle. Do not bow when approaching or leaving the ambo.
     B. First Reading:
*Please refrain from improvising words while exercising the ministry, including the Liturgical Introduction. Read the Introduction exactly as it is printed in the Lectionary.
*At the end of the reading, pause, and then say, "the Word of the Lord."
*After the First Reading, leave the Lectionary open and turn the page to the Second Reading, if necessary.
*Leave the altar and sit near the Extraordinary Ministers.
     C. Prayers of the Faithful:
*When a Deacon is present, the Deacon will read the intentions of the Prayers of the Faithful. If there is no Deacon, then the Lector will read the Prayers of the Faithful.
*If the Lector reads the Prayers of the Faithful:
---Do not enter the sanctuary floor until the Creed is completely finished.
---Please do not rush through the Prayers of the Faithful. Follow the visual pattern of the typed page: where you see blank white space, pause.
---Repeat the response clearly into the microphone with the congregation; this is especially important when the response is different from the usual "Lord, hear our prayers."
---The names of the deceased should be said clearly and slowly with a pause between each name.
---Remain at the ambo during the closing prayer of the Prayers of the Faithful. After you say "Amen" into the microphone, leave the sanctuary floor and sit near the Eucharistic Ministers.
     D. Recession:
After the final blessing, both Lectors leave their seats and slowly head toward the sanctuary steps. The Altar Server descends the sanctuary steps and walks to the center aisle. Then the Lectors line up in the center aisle in front of the Altar Servers and behind the clergy. When they bow, Lectors bow; then everyone turns around to recess to the narthex.

5. The SECOND PROCLAIMER does the Announcements and the Second Reading. 
     A. Announcements:
*After signing in, wait in the pews on the left side of the sanctuary. The Priest or Deacon will signal you when it is time to begin, which is usually 4-5 minutes before Mass time.
*Bow before stepping on the sanctuary floor to read the Announcements. No more bowing is necessary during the rest of Mass, until the Recession.
*Please do not rush through the Announcements. Follow the visual pattern of the typed page: where you see blank white space, pause. This gives the congregants a chance to let the information sink in.
*Do not skip or add anything to what is written. Do not ad lib.
*Be sure to read the Mass intention loudly and clearly.
*When inviting the congregation to turn and greet those around them, do not introduce yourself to the congregation.
*When you are finished reading the Announcements, close the notebook and place it neatly on the shelf of the ambo, leave the sanctuary floor, and sit near the Extraordinary Ministers.
     B. Second Reading:
*Before Mass, notice whether the Deacon carries a Gospel Book in the Procession.
*Please refrain from improvising words while exercising the ministry, including the Liturgical Introduction. Read the Introduction exactly as it is printed in the Lectionary.
*After proclaiming the Second Reading, close the Lectionary and place it on the shelf in the ambo when you are finished IF the Deacon carried a Gospel Book in the Procession. If there is no Deacon or separate Gospel Book, leave the Lectionary open and ready for the Gospel reading.

GUIDELINES FOR 7 am SUNDAY MASS
Lector responsibilities at this Mass are very similar to those at the weekday Masses:
1. Only one Lector is assigned.
     *Also, there is no Deacon and no Music.

2. There is no procession at the beginning of Mass and no recession at the end of Mass except for the presiding priest.

3. Bow before stepping on the sanctuary floor to read the Announcements. Read the Announcements, and since there is no music at this Mass, also read the Entrance Antiphon. 

4. Participate as a congregant during the Introductory Rites (the Greeting and Opening Prayer, the Penitential Act, the Gloria, and the Collect). Approach the ambo; once the Liturgy of the Word starts, you will not leave until after the Alleluia:
     A. Proclaim the First Reading.
     B. Pause.
     C. Read the Responsorial Psalm.
     D. Pause again.
     E. Proclaim the Second Reading.
     F. Pause one more time.
     G. Either sing or omit the Alleluia. Reading the Alleluia is not an option.
     H. Leave the ambo; the priest reads the Gospel.
     I. Immediately after the homily, return to the ambo to read the Prayers of the Faithful.

The Call to Lector: WELCOME

You have agreed to serve the Church as a Lector. As part of your training, you will receive the text Guide for Lectors. It is important that you read and reflect on it.

Before your first assignment, read and understand the awesomeness of your role during Mass (Chapter 2: "Theology and History of the Lector"). Also be sure to read and think about your role ("The Role of the Lector during Mass" on pages 11-13, and "Serving as a Lector" on pages 29-36) ~~ we, the members of our ministry, are to act as a unit. We are to behave humbly,  and each of us is to perform the exact same movements and speak the exact same phrases. We follow the rubrics; we do not informalize or improvise. The reason is because the spotlight should not be on "me, the individual." The Lector is God's mouthpiece.
​
We are part of a sacred ministry. Being a Lector is not only an honor but an awesome responsibility. Proclaiming the Word of the Lord should not be taken lightly. It needs to be approached with a spirit of reverence and respect and a joyful heart. Both new and seasoned Lectors should take the time to regularly reflect on how they are serving. What are you doing well? What needs improvement? Do this in light of what you read on pages 37-69 in the Guide for Lectors as well as the introductory pages of the Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers, and Proclaimers of the Word ("Ministry of the Word Basics") and notes placed throughout the Workbook.

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The Call of Isaiah (Isaiah Chapter 6) 
Taken from Treasures of the Bible
​by Henry Davenport Northrop, DD,
published by International Publishing Company, 1894

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LECTOR DRESS CODE

Proper attire is important. The Lord is present and everyone in attendance can see you. We represent the parish visibly and set a standard for the congregation to follow. Please do not become lax or casual in this as it is an important sign of respect for the Liturgy.
​
LADIES, Acceptable:
1. Dresses and skirts, minimum knee-length
          *Sleeves are required.
2. Dress pants, minimum calf-length (e.g., capris or longer)
          *Leggings are never acceptable.
3. Tops that cover cleavage
          *Sleeveless, tank tops, and spaghetti straps need to be
             worn with a jacket or sweater when on the sanctuary
             floor.
4. Dress shoes and sandals with a heel of any height
5. "Revealing" clothing is inappropriate (e.g., shows cleavage, too tight, too short to bow in, etc.). 

GENTLEMEN, Acceptable:
1. Dress slacks and khakis
2. Collared or dress shirt
     *Jacket and tie is optional.
     *Jacket without a tie/tie without a jacket is acceptable.
3. Dress shoes

NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR ANYONE:
1. Jeans, shorts, sweats, yoga pants
2. Flipflops, sneakers

The above applies when you are scheduled to serve. However, please keep in mind that, when attending Mass and not scheduled to serve, you might be asked to step in if the scheduled Lector is not present. Make it a habit to go into the Ministry Room prior to any Mass you go to to verify that the scheduled Lectors have checked in; please serve if a scheduled Lector is not present. Your dedication and cooperation is greatly appreciated.

THE LECTOR'S DOZEN

This quick list of tips is easy to read and do.

lector.docx
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GUIDELINES FOR READERS

Diocesan document not available at this time.

~~the call to proclaim the Word of God in service to the church of Holy Family~~
The Word is proclaimed with a deep conviction of faith.
The Word is proclaimed with clarity, dignity, and conviction to enable the people of the Holy Family community to listen with their hearts.