LITURGICAL MINISTRIES

LECTORS
Lectors, also called “Proclaimers of the Word”, assist at Mass by proclaiming God's Word. When the Deacon is not present they  also read the Universal Prayer.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Eucharistic Ministers distribute the Sacred Body and Blood of Christ during Mass.  Eucharistic Ministers must be fully initiated members of the Catholic Church. 

MINISTERS OF CARE
Ministers of Care bring the Word, prayer and Eucharist to fellow parishioners who are home bound or in the hospital and unable to attend Mass. They receive additional training to do this important ministry.

ALTAR SERVERS
Altar Servers (youth in grades 3-12) assist at Mass by carrying the cross in procession, holding the book for the priest when he prays at the presidential chair, and during the preparation of the gifts at the altar.

GREETERS AND USHERS
Greeters and Ushers are Ministers of Hospitality who welcome the faithful as they come to celebrate Sunday Mass. They also help seat people, take up the collection, and distribute the bulletin.  Click the above link for a complete description of duties, requirements and helpful hints.  

Parishioners who are interested in serving as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Minister of Care, Greeter/Usher, or have children interested in being Altar Servers, are invited to contact the Liturgy Office at 732-356-4405.

Blessed Sacrament Church

THE MINISTRY OF LECTOR

PASTORAL GUIDELINES

 
“Christ is present in his word, since it is he himself who speaks when the holy Scriptures are read in the Church.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 7). Introduction

This quote from the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy should be at the spiritual heart of anyone who proclaims the Word of God in the Liturgy. Christ uses the voice of the lector to speak his word to the assembly in the here and now. Lectors are often called “the mouthpiece of God.” It is for this reason that lectors must strive to stop simply reading and start proclaiming. Lectors brings the living Word of God to the liturgical assembly. In and through them God speaks to the gathered assembly. Therefore, as a minister of the word, the lector’s role is treated seriously and with great dignity. In order to truly proclaim God’s Word, preparation is required.

Jesus was a lector.

“He went into the synagogue,

according to his custom on the Sabbath day,

and he rose up to read.” Luke 4:17

Preparation for Proclamation

In order that the Liturgy of the Word might be truly effective, all lectors are expected to be prepared for their ministry. Preparation should be spiritual, scriptural, and practical. Spiritual preparation involves reflection and praying with the text to be proclaimed, using a model such as Lectio Divina. Scriptural preparation includes a general knowledge of Scripture, understanding the text to be proclaimed, and interpreting it sufficiently so as to evoke a response from the assembly. Practical preparation involves mastering difficult words, learning the right pronunciations, and practicing the delivery of the text aloud. Looking at the readings right before Mass is to be avoided. Each lector will be provided a copy of Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers and Proclaimers of the Word. How to effectively use this resource will be covered in the Lector training sessions.      
The Word of God is not merely read during the Liturgy. It is proclaimed. Effective proclamation involves the delivery of the message with clarity, conviction, and appropriate pace. Proclamation is a special ministry which presupposes faith and also rouses faith in those who hear the word proclaimed.

Procession

Lectors take part in the entrance procession. They walk immediately in front of the Book of the Gospels which is carried by the deacon. If there is no deacon present, the lector carries the Book of the Gospels in front of the priest. The book is carried slightly raised so that it can be seen in the procession. When carrying the Book of the Gospels, the lector does not genuflect or bow.  When not carrying the Book of the Gospels, he or she makes a profound bow at the waist to the altar before going to his or her seat. The Book of the Gospels is placed flat in the center of the altar. The lectionary is never carried in procession and the Book of the Gospels is never carried out during the recessional.

Proclamation of the Word

There are three parts to the proclaimed scripture text. The salutation, “A Reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah”. The text itself “About Zion I will not be silent, about Jerusalem I shall not rest until justice dawns for her like a bright light and her salvation like a blazing torch……” And the closing, The Word of the Lord.
There is a pause after the salutation, “A Reading from..”, before proclaiming the text, and at the end of the text before the closing, “The Word of the Lord”.
After “The Word of the Lord”, the assembly responds “Thanks be to God”. The lector does not join in the response.
After proclaiming the reading, the lector removes the lectionary and puts it on the shelf below. He or she then returns to their seat.

Announcements

Announcements are made from the Cantor Stand.
Please check the lector binder to see if there is an announcement to be made before mass. Other announcements are made after the Prayer after Communion.
 

Training Materials 2019-2020

5. Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers, and Proclaimers of the Word 2020, Liturgy Training Publications
5. Stop Reading and Start Proclaiming, Douglas Leal, Liturgy Training Publications
5. Lector and Gospel Reader’s Workshop
   A Resource for Bringing God’s Word to Life, DVD, Audrey Sommers, Liturgy Training Publications
5. Liturgy Training Publications Virtual Workshops: The Spiritual Life of the Lector, Preparation Skills For Experienced Lector, Living Out the Ministry of the Lector in the World Today.

LECTOR RESOURCES:CLICK ON THE LINK

How to prayerfully prepare the reading using Lectio Divina
Accessing the Sunday Readings
Lector Prep
Lector Pronunciation Guide