Ministers of the Word

For Roster click HERE

ST JOHN THE APOSTLE PARISH, KIPPAX

Notes for those sharing in the Ministry of Reader

Two readers are rostered for each weekend Mass to proclaim the Liturgy of the Word.

At home

• Record your rostered dates.

• The previous week, either confirm in ‘Compact' which lists the readings and readers for the next week.
• http://www.stjohnkippax.org.au/weekly_bulletin/compact.htm

• or

• check on the parish website:
Click on ‘Liturgical Life',
click on ‘Liturgical Ministries',
click on ‘Ministers of the Word'.

• If you can't come on that day please arrange a substitute.

• Take home a copy of your Reading (left in foyer one week beforehand) and/or check your email for readings being sent directly from Parish Office.

• Take time to understand the reading. There are commentaries in the library, for reference only, to help you. ‘Break Open the Word' includes a pronunciation guide, a copy of which is in the Sacristy.

• Take time to pray through the reading, asking Jesus' Spirit to enlighten you and to open the listeners' hearts to welcome God's Word. Remember that the risen Jesus is proclaiming the Word. You are his instrument. Through you he wants to challenge, console, invite, refresh, heal and love those present in the congregation. This is an awesome privilege and responsibility.

• Speaking of God's Word, the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that it is alive and active, and that it penetrates through to the innermost thoughts, feelings and intentions of the heart, opening everything to God and drawing us into communion with God (Hebrews 4:12-13). Your reading can help this happen.
Take time to practice reading the passage aloud, perhaps with help. Reading publicly can be daunting. The secret of a successful public reader is practice and prayer.

Before Mass

• Wear your ‘Sunday best' when carrying out a liturgical ministry. Appear/Be confident.

• Be at Church 10 minutes before the Mass. This saves the Acolytes/Senior Servers having to look for a substitute at the last minute.

• Choose your seat in the congregation and leave any belongings with partner/friend.

• If you are under 163cm (5'4”) you will need to use the stool.

• First reader, please ask Acolyte to place it in position for you if necessary.

• Check with the Acolyte that the Lectionary is on the lectern.

• It is the First Reader's responsibility to check if the choir is going to sing the Responsorial Psalm.

• It is the Second Reader's responsibility to check if the choir is singing the Gospel Acclamation.

• The Second Reader ensures that the Prayers of the Faithful are in the Gospel book and reads them in the Sacristy prior to Mass.

• There is no need to take a copy of your reading to the lectern with you. A copy is already in the Lectionary.

Processing to the Altar

• Process in, one behind the other, after the Cross and Junior Servers.

• One reader carries the Gospel Book, stands next to the Cross facing the body of the congregation, and goes to the altar once the priest has kissed the altar and moved to his chair. Hold up the Gospel Book with front cover facing out, then place it face down on the altar.

• The other reader stands in front of the wooden pews.

• Stay in the pew till it is your turn to read.

• Move in a dignified way to/from the lectern. Use the handrail if necessary. This is a Public Health and safety issue. Ascend and descent with the handrail on your right.

The First Reading and Psalm - Second Reading and Gospel Acclamation

• Begin: “A Reading from…” do not say “ First Reading ” or “ Second Reading ”.

• At the end of the reading pause for 3 seconds and then say “ The Word of the Lord ” – not “ This is the Word of the Lord ”.

• For the Responsorial Psalm do not say “Our response is” . Just pray the response, the people will repeat it. In between verses do not say “ Response ”. Pause and lead the congregation into the response.

• Stay at the lectern even if the Psalm/Gospel Acclamation are being sung.

• Before leaving it, put the stool in position, or away, for the next reader.

• At the end of the Second Reading it is not necessary to say “ Please stand to greet the Gospel ”. Just pray the acclamation, unless the choir is singing it.

• Before leaving the lectern, please remember to place the Lectionary under the shelf to leave room for the Gospel Book.

The Prayers of the Faithful

• Second Reader goes to the Lectern at the last part of the Creed: “ I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church ”.

• The congregation need to hear the intention and reflect on it before they offer the formal response. After each prayer pause for 3 seconds.

• Wait at the lectern until the priest has said the concluding prayer. Then both readers return to their seats among the congregation.

Presentation of the Word

• Never read publicly what you have not first read privately.

• Check pronunciations before you get to read.

• Lectors must be/appear confident.

• The proclaimer of the Word is the one who makes the message come alive.

• Readers need to be familiar with the microphone.

• Before leaving the lectern, put the stool in position, or away, for the next reader.

• Posture and stillness are important.

• Look up and out.

• Make eye contact during the reading especially at the beginning and ending. Your message is greatly influenced by your beginning and ending.

• Take it slowly – If you think you are reading slowly – slow down. You are proclaiming the Word of God not calling the first race at Randwick.

• Be alert to having a pause between paragraphs and the possible need to change your vocal expression.

• We proclaim not simply read; be natural but give your voice plenty of expression without over doing it; but don't be theatrical.

• Enunicate each word clearly (particarly ‘t' and ‘d' word endings).

• Be aware of ‘?' in text.

• Keep voice level – don't drop it at end of sentences.

• Different materials require different treatment. Read the fulmination of the prophet with ardour, the admonitions of Paul with regret, and the poetry of the Song of Songs with passion.

For Roster click HERE