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Lectors
Ministers of the Word
In the fullness of time, the Word of God took flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. That word continues to take flesh again and again whenever a man or woman stands up to proclaim it to the community of believers. God chose to work through human instruments, to play his song of love to the world.
The ministry of the lector calls for a person to grow in a warm and loving knowledge of scripture, the living Word of God. He or she is invited to enter into a relationship with a word that is creative, powerful and effective.
The call to be a lector is something that demands preparation. No one should get up to read to the community gathered for worship without this preparation. In becoming a lector, you are accepting the responsibility to do your best, to practice, to make frequent self-evaluations and to continually look for ways to improve your ability to communicate the Word of God clearly to the congregation.
As a lector you are entrusted with some of the most wonderful stories to come down through the ages, and it is through these stories that god continues to speak.
Purpose
Lectors have a critical role in the celebration of the mass. Since the lector proclaims not just any word, but the Word of God, it is essential that they develop the skills required to communicate God's message competently.
Mission
To serve the St. Thomas the Apostle Faith Community by proclaiming the Word of God at masses and all special feasts of the Church.
Requirements for Eligibility
To serve as a minister of God's Word, persons must:
- be practicing Catholics, distinguished in their Christian life, faith and morals;
- be able to read;
- have public speaking skills to proclaim the Word of God before the congregation;
- have received the sacraments of Baptism, and Eucharist;
- demonstrate a deep reverence for and devotion to the Word of God.
Preparation
Ministers of the Word are given a Lector Workbook with which to prepare their assigned reading during the week prior to the liturgy. This workbook contains detailed assistance with pronunciation, inflection, as well as information to help the lector better understand the historical and spiritual significance of the reading. It is imperative that the lector familiarize themselves with the scripture prior to their scheduled liturgy.
As a lector you must understand each story simply as a story. The ministry of a lector is a wonderful work, and an extremely rewarding ministry. Through your own sacrifice of time, effort, and preparation, God's living word continues to be proclaimed to all of his people; the young, the old, the troubled, the hopeless, the happy and to those in need of comfort. To be a lector is to be given an opportunity for your own personal growth in Jesus Christ.
Schedule
The ministry schedule is composed to cover approximately twelve weeks. It will be distributed at least two weeks in advance of the starting date. The schedules will be sent via email and placed in the sacristy for pick up. The announcement that they are ready will be placed in the church bulletin for two weekends. Please be faithful to your assignment. Everyone will receive a list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of the Lectors. If you are unable to serve, it is your responsibility to get a replacement. If that is not possible, please call the coordinator at least 24 hours before you are scheduled to serve. If you are aware of vacations or other commitments in advance, please let us know and we will not schedule you during those times.
Commitment
When scheduled, you need to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to Mass and sign in. This will avoid last minute problems and will allow you to prayerfully prepare for the liturgy. Lectors are expected to dress appropriately and respectfully.
Most Ministers of the Word are scheduled every 2-3 weeks at the Mass of his/her choice. You will be asked to participate in special Holy Day masses, as well as Christmas and Easter. You must attend refresher training and/or meetings when scheduled. There will be a meeting at least once each year for prayer, reflection and training. This meeting is part of the commitment you make.
Ministers of the Word Contacts
If you are interested in volunteering as a Lector or have any questions or concerns, please contact the coordinator, Mary Ann Lopez at maplbear@comcast.net.