Guidelines (Updated)
Ministry of Lector
Saint Michael Catholic Church
August 9, 2017
 
The liturgy is the public prayer of The Church.
As a proclaimer of The Word, your ministry helps facilitate the public prayer in The Liturgy of The Word.
Spiritual preparation is essential. Pray with the readings during the week prior to your assigned Mass. Let the words come alive in your heart, and in your life.
You are NOT just reading words, rather….
You are PROCLAIMING THE WORD OF GOD!
Lector workbooks are a great resource for preparation. These can be ordered thru the office (you will be notified by email when this occurs every year), or you may purchase them at Saint and Shamrocks. Also available are many excellent online sites that give you an in depth study of the scriptures, including pronunciation of difficult words.
The following are the Lector guidelines:

• Be faithful to your scheduled assignment. We all have times we cannot be at the Mass we are assigned. If you know before the schedule is finalized that you will not be available, email/call the lector coordinator so that you are not assigned that particular day. Once the final monthly schedule is submitted to the office, and you find yourself unable to lector, YOU are responsible for finding a sub/swap, and notifying the coordinator with the change. This is important so the priest and/or the sacristan know who will be serving at each Mass.
• Attire. Please dress properly for your presence in the Sanctuary.

   •     Arrive 15 minutes before Mass begins.  This helps Father in preparation for Mass. Not having a server, lector, EME, cantor or usher show up is like not having the table set properly for a celebratory meal! This also gives you time to make sure the lectionary is opened to the correct readings and that the announcements and Prayers of The Faithful are on the ambo.

• First and Second Lector. When the schedule is made, the person’s name that appears first is considered to be the first lector. The person’s name who appears second is considered to be the second lector.
• Announcements. Announcements will be made by the first lector immediately following the bells ringing and prior to the entrance processional. After the announcements are read, ask that everyone please turn off, or silence, their electronic devices/phones.
• Entrance Procession. If there are two lectors, the second lector will carry The Book of Gospels in the procession and place on the center of the altar before going to the lector bench.

IF THERE IS ONLY ONE LECTOR, place The Book of Gospels on the altar prior to Mass and remain in the sacristy to make the announcements. A lector will no longer carry The Cross; it will be carried in by an altar server.

• Readings. After the cantor steps back, the first lector steps up to the ambo and waits for the congregation to “settle down”. When proclaiming the Word, be confident, read slowly, occasionally making eye contact with the congregation. Always pause before concluding with “The Word of The Lord”. After the second reader has completed his/her reading, the lectionary is removed from the ambo and placed on the lector’s bench.

• Leaving the Sanctuary after the Readings. After placing the lectionary on the bench, both lectors leave the sanctuary and return to their seats in the congregation.
• Prayers of the Faithful. A lector will offer the Prayers of the Faithful. If there are two, this should be the second lector. Proceed immediately to the ambo when the priest returns to his seat after the homily and wait for his introduction to the prayers before beginning. After completing, and after the priest concludes the intercessions, return to your seat in the congregation.
• Visiting Clergy. Always introduce yourself to the visiting priest prior to Mass. Confirm your participation in the Mass (some priests prefer to offer the Prayers of the Faithful themselves).