If you are interested in volunteering to act as Lector (reader) for weekend Masses, please contact the parish office.

Please make sure to check the upcoming schedule of Lectors in the following Calendar of Events, or view the current schedule here:.

Lord, be in my heart and on my lips, that I may worthily announce your words of salvation.

Introduction
Christ is present in his word. The word of God unceasingly calls to mind and extends the plan of salvation, which achieves its fullest expression in liturgy. The liturgical celebration becomes therefore the continuing, complete and effective presentation of God’s word (IL #4). Proclamation of the word of God is truly a service to the Church. Readers bring the living word of God to the assembled faith community. When the Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself is speaking to his people (GIRM #29). The ministry of the word, therefore, should be treated with great dignity.

“When this word is proclaimed in the Church and put into living practice, it enlightens the faithful through the working of the Holy Spirit and draws them into the entire mystery of the Lord as a reality to be lived” (IL #47).

*Note that the Ministers of the Word is addressed as Lector in the Introduction to the Lectionary (IL) and Reader in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). 

Who Can Serve as a Minister of the Word?

• According to the ancient tradition and the teaching of the Church, the proclamation of the readings apart from the Gospel is ministerial not presidential. Therefore, the readings are proclaimed by a lay minister and the Gospel by the Deacon, or in his absence, by a priest. (IL #51; GIRM #59)
• The use of two readers – one for each reading – is encouraged. The parish community should strive for enough trained lectors to fulfill this goal (IL #52) 
• Effective proclamation involves the delivery of the message with clarity, conviction and appropriate pace. The Word of God is not merely read, it is proclaimed. Proclamation ministry presupposes faith and rouses faith in those who hear the word proclaimed. 
• All liturgical ministers, especially the Ministers of the Word, must be properly trained for their ministry. The lector requires skill in public reading, knowledge for the principles of liturgy, and an understanding and love of the scriptures. Normally, only properly trained and commissioned lectors are scheduled for liturgy (IL #55).
• Readers are baptized Christians whose lives witness to the Word in which they proclaim. On some occasion, with a proper training, a young person who is not yet fully initiated may serve as a reader during a liturgy.