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Handbook for Ministry of Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist
Table Of Contents
Welcome (Back to the Table of Contents)
Welcome to the Ministry of the Word!
This booklet is designed to assist you in your participation in the Liturgical Ministry of the Word here at St. Patrick Parish.
Your willingness to respond to your Baptismal call to serve the people of God, in the capacity of a Minister of the Word, more commonly known as Lector, reflects your commitment to Christ. Your willingness to commit to a monthly schedule; to arrive on time and to be well prepared for your assigned Mass is a further reflection of your willingness to respond fully to your Baptismal call.
TWhen you pray, prepare and proclaim the Word of God well, you not only enhance the beauty of the Liturgy but you become the instrument through whom God speaks to all members of the Assembly. "God speaks to His people, revealing the mystery of their redemption and salvation and offering them spiritual nourishment.² (General Instruction on the Roman Missal)
Once you are commissioned to serve in the Ministry, you will be issued an identifying Ministry pin signifying that you are a Minister of the Word. Wear this pin humbly for it signifies that you have accepted the awesome privilege of proclaiming the Good News of the Lord!
God bless your efforts!
General Ministry Information (Back to the Table of Contents)
General Ministry Information:
- Be sure to notify Joan Kilday Puleo (781-438-2498) before the 15th of the month, of any known schedule issues, e.g. vacations for the following month, so the schedule may be prepared appropriately.
- The schedule is available in the lower sacristy, on the last week-end of the month for the following month.
- Be aware that, at the Family Masses (Saturday at 5:30 PM; Sunday at 10:30 AM), there is only 1 reader assigned; You prepare both readings and check with the deacon as to which reading is to be proclaimed.
- Be sure to have the schedule before the start of the new month so that if arrangements for a substitute have to be made, there will be ample time to do so. Remember it is your responsibility to secure a substitute should you have a schedule conflict.
- There is no need to bow, genuflect or otherwise personalize your presence within the Liturgy, nor is there a need to raise the Lectionary before or after your reading.
- The Book of Gospels remains at the lectern at the end of Mass. The thinking is that one leaves the Eucharistic celebration carrying the Word of God in one's heart, living the message received. You do not process out with the celebrant at the end of Mass.
- A Liturgical Minister may perform only one liturgical ministry at a time, at Mass, thus, e.g. if you are performing the function of lector at Mass, you may not also perform the function of Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at the same Mass.
- The 1st lector's name on the schedule is designated as the 1st reader; the 2nd lector's name on the schedule is designated as the 2nd reader; it is the Church's desire that the Word of God be proclaimed by more than one (1) voice, thus two (2) lectors are assigned for the Sunday Masses.
- The 1st lector is to come forward from the Assembly after the Opening Prayer is concluded and the Celebrant takes his seat at the Presider's Chair. When there is a reverent quiet evident, The 1st lector proclaims the reading. When finished, the lector is to return to his/her seat within the Assembly.
- The 2nd lector is to come forward from the Assembly after the Responsorial Psalm is sung. When there is a reverent quiet evident again, the 2nd reading is to be proclaimed.
- After completing the 2nd Reading, the lector is to put the Lectionary on the shelf to make room for the Book of Gospels, from which the Gospel is proclaimed by either the Deacon or the Celebrant.
- If there is only one lector, the lector is to remain at the lectern while the Psalm is sung. The 2nd reading is to be proclaimed when there is a reverent quiet evident again.
- If there is no Deacon to read the Prayers of the Faithful, then the 2nd lector approaches the lectern when the Creed is about 2/3 completed and begins the Prayers of the Faithful after the Celebrant completes the introductory prayer. Remain at the lectern after you have finished the Prayers of the Faithful, until the celebrant has completed the ending prayer; then return to your seat within the Assembly.
Prayer and preparation are the keys to your being an effective proclaimer of God's Word. To that end then, Pray that you proclaim the Word of God as He wills it to be proclaimed and prepare well for your reading, by reviewing the reading, learning about the reading, turning to your Bible and reading the passage immediately preceding and following the text chosen for the Mass at which you will be reading, so that you better understand the context.
Practice your reading aloud to maximize your ability to effectively proclaim God's Word.
Practice making eye contact with the Assembly. Remember you want to capture the attention of the Assembly, so that the members of the Assembly hear the Word of God and can reflect on the words being spoken to them.
Your respect for the Ministry should be reflected in your appearance and attire; appropriate attire includes being properly groomed and wearing a suit and tie or clean, nicely creased trousers with shirt and tie or nice sweater; pants suit or skirt or slacks with blouse/sweater. Please note: no jeans or shorts at any time! Jewelry or clothing which would be distracting to the Assembly should not be worn.
Be confident. You have the guidance of the Spirit to guide you. If you are focused on God's Word and have prepared well, you will be the instrument through whom God speaks to the Parish Community.
Remember each time you proclaim the Word of God, you are proclaiming the Good News of the Lord!!
Before Mass Information (Back to the Table of Contents)
- Plan on being in the sacristy at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled Mass time; check your name off the posted schedule or insert your name for the person for whom you are substituting.
- Check the Lectionary and be sure that the correct readings are marked. (Remember to be sure that the Lectionary and the Prayers of the Faithful are on the lectern before Mass starts)!
- Review the Prayers of the Faithful and be sure you are aware of how to pronounce any names to be mentioned in the intentions of the day. N.B. Never eliminate any of the prayers of the faithful or petitions unless specifically instructed to do so by the Presider (Celebrant). In the event you are asked to eliminate any of the petitions, never eliminate the petitions naming the sick or the deceased of the parish.
- If you are the scheduled lector for either the Saturday, 5:30 PM or Sunday, 10:30 AM Family Mass, be sure to check with the Deacon as to which reading he wishes to have proclaimed as there is only one reading and the Gospel at those Masses.
- Please note that at daily Mass, (held in the lower church unless it is a Holy Day), there is only one lector assigned who proclaims the reading and the psalm response even when there is music, but does not offer the Prayers of the Faithful. When proclaiming the psalm response, pause after the reading and then proclaim the psalm antiphon; You do not announce the psalm.
- Remember that the time before Mass is preparation time, thus your demeanor should be one of respectful quiet.
At Mass Information (Back to the Table of Contents)
- The designated 1st lector makes the announcements before Mass regarding the liturgical calendar reference, the celebrant's name, the Mass intention or memorial and proclaims the 1st reading.
- The designated 2nd lector proclaims the 2nd reading. A Deacon present at Mass carries the Book of Gospels in the processional, reads the Prayers of the Faithful and assists in the distribution of the Eucharist. In the absence of a Deacon, the designated 2nd lector carries the Book of Gospels in procession. The designated 2nd lector also reads the Prayers of the Faithful in the absence of the Deacon. (Be aware that the Deacon may choose to have the 2nd lector do the Prayers of the Faithful).
- The lector making the announcements stays behind in the Sacristy and at the scheduled start of the Mass, (using the Sacristy clock) goes to the lectern, makes the announcements, and then goes to his/her seat within the Assembly to wait for the entrance procession.
- It is helpful to mentally count to 5, before saying "The Word of the Lord,² to allow the assembly an opportunity to absorb what you have just proclaimed, before you finally conclude with "The Word of the Lord².
- If there is only one lector, and no Deacon, the Book of Gospels will not be carried in procession, but will be placed upon the altar, open, before the start of the Mass.
- If there is only one lector, and no Deacon, the Book of Gospels will not be carried in procession, but will be placed upon the altar, open, before the start of the Mass.
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