Worship Commission Representative:  Evelyn Yoe (338.8761)

     Our lectors are not volunteers; they are ministers called by God to proclaim the Word.  If you love the Scriptures and feel you are being called to proclaim the Word of God at our regularly scheduled weekend liturgies, please contact Evelyn Yoe.  She will help you discern your calling and prepare you for this valuable ministry to the people of God.

Guidelines for Lectors
St. Joan of Arc Church
August 2009

“Sacred Scripture is of the greatest importance in the celebration of the liturgy.”
Sacrosanctum Concilium #24


1.  It is your privileged role to proclaim the Word of God and lead the General Intercessions (when not proclaimed by the deacon, or sung).  Your prayerful and spirited proclamation is a moment of grace for the people of St. Joan of Arc Church.  The best preparation for your ministry is to read the Scriptures everyday, even when you are not scheduled for the upcoming week’s liturgy.  The better you know and understand the Word, the better you will proclaim and live it.

2.  Please arrive in the sacristy of the gathering area 15 minutes before your scheduled liturgy, properly dressed for your ministerial function.  At that time, sign in, check the bulletin board for any pertinent messages, look over the liturgy sheet right above you, read the commentary on the Scriptures in the Workbook for Lectors and practice the General Intercessions.  Please pay special attention to all proper names, both in the readings and the intercessions, including the Mass intention.  If there are any questions whatsoever, please ask the presider for help.  It is very important to pronounce a person’s name correctly.

3.  All the liturgical ministers meet in the back of the church to process.  There are two sets of instructions: one with a deacon present and one without.
    With the deacon present:  process in directly in front of the deacon, singing the Processional Hymn.  When you get to the foot of the sanctuary, bow slightly and move directly to your chair and remain standing and singing.
    Without the deacon present:  You will be carrying the Gospel Book. Hold it in front of you as you process in directly in front of the presider, singing.  When you get to the foot of the sanctuary, do not bow, rather continue to the altar and place the Gospel Book in the center of the altar, cover face up.  Go directly to your chair and remain standing and singing.

4.  After the Opening Prayer, be seated.  After everyone is settled, approach the ambo and proclaim the first reading with dignity, grace and an unhurried pace.  Following the reading, pause, then say, “The Word of the Lord.” Return to your seat and sit down.

5.  Following the Responsorial Psalm, which is always sung, remain seated for a few more moments, reflecting on God’s Word.  Then, approach the ambo and proclaim the second reading, again with style and grace.  Following the reading, pause, then say, “The Word of the Lord.”  Close the Lectionary and put it on the shelf under the ambo, return to your seat and sit down.

6.  Stand for the Gospel when the music begins.  Do not read the Gospel from the missalette.
6a.  The Rite tells us to bow during the Creed at the words, “by the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the Virgin Mary and became man.” 

7.  It is the deacon’s role to proclaim the General Intercessions.  If the deacon is not present, and they are not being sung by the cantor, they are proclaimed by the lector.  So, at the conclusion of the Creed, approach the ambo.  Please do not wait for the presider.  You should be standing at the ambo when he begins his introduction.  Proclaim the General Intercessions.  Following your proclamation, remain where you are, turn and face the presider.  Do not go back to your chair because the General Intercessions are not yet over.  After the concluding prayer and the “Amen” that follows it, return to your chair and be seated for the Presentation of the Gifts, singing the appropriate song.

8.  During the Eucharistic Prayer, please kneel on the kneeler provided.  Following the Great Amen, please stand back in front of your chair to facilitate the reception of communion.

9.  An Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion will bring the Body and Blood of Christ to you at your place.  Following reception of communion, please kneel and rejoin in the singing of the Communion Processional Song.

10.  Following communion, take the collection and, together with the 1st EMHC, bring it into the back sacristy.  Put the collection in the safe.  The EMHC will put the tabernacle key in the safe also.  Close the safe and spin the dial.  (This instruction does not apply to the noon liturgy.)

11.  When the presider begins to recess, join the altar servers, deacon (if applicable) and presider at the foot of the sanctuary. All bow together and recess in processional order.

12.  It is your responsibility to procure a substitute if you cannot fulfill your ministry at your scheduled liturgy.  Please do not call the rectory or the Mass Coordinator, unless it is an emergency.

13.  Remember, you are a visible liturgical leader.  It is important for you to model good liturgical “behavior” by singing all the songs and responses, praying all the prayers and paying close attention to the liturgical action at all times.  Your full, active and conscious participation is expected and appreciated.  Blessings on your ministry!

 




edited August 2009