Readers
MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Ministers of the Word are those people who serve the Liturgical Gathering by proclaiming the Scriptures. Proclaiming the Word is a two-way interaction which requires readers who proclaim the Word of God effectively, and attentive listeners.
Three Ministers of the Word are required for each weekend Liturgy – Reader 1 and Reader 2 will read the scriptures. Reader 3 will read the Introduction before the Liturgy, and the Prayers of the Faithful. Additional readers may be required for special Liturgies.
Rosters for these readers are compiled in advance every May and November. Notice will be given in the newsletter when the new rosters are due to be filled. Training will be provided at various times throughout the year by Fr Gerard and the Liturgy Committee.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EFFECTIVE MINISTERS OF THE WORD
The basic requirement for Ministers of the Word is faith in the Word of God. Readers must have:
A love of Scripture and a belief that it is alive and active.
The ability to read the scriptures in a manner that brings the Word alive for the Community
Skills for reading in public, such as a strong voice which can be projected clearly.
The ability to use pace, pausing, pitch and expression to give vitality and variety to their reading.
PREPARATION
Readers must understand what they are reading in order to clearly convey the meaning of the readings. This can be done by:
Having access to the workbook Break Open the Word to assist in understanding and in the pronunciation of difficult words. These can be ordered through the Church Office and Piety Stall.
Reading passages several times.
Practising reading aloud.
PROCEDURE
All Readers must arrive at the church 15 minutes before the commencement of the Liturgy, and report to the Co-ordinator of that Liturgy.
If unable to honour their commitments, Readers must make every effort to arrange their own replacements.
AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE LITURGY:
Reader 1 will enter the church in procession, carrying the Book of the Gospels aloft, behind the Cross-bearer and other Altar Servers, and ahead of the Celebrant.
On arrival at the Altar, Reader 1 will go immediately to the rear of the Altar, face the Congregation and slowly place the Book of the Gospels in the centre of the Altar
He/she will rejoin the Priest and Altar Servers in front of the Sanctuary, bow in unison to the altar then take his/her place in the Congregation.
After the Opening Prayers, Reader 1 will go to the lectern on which the Lectionary has been placed.
He/she will begin reading with "A reading from the..".
At the end of the Reading, he/she will pause for 5 seconds before concluding with the phrase "The Word of the Lord", Wait for the Congregation to respond with "Thanks be to God," before returning to his/her seat.
Reader 2 will wait until the completion of the singing or reading of the Psalm then walk to the lectern
Begin reading with the phrase "A reading from..".
At the end of the Reading, pause for 5 seconds before concluding with the phrase "The word of the Lord", wait for the Congregation to respond, "Thanks be to God,"
R2 will close the Lectionary and move it to the left side of the lectern (so that the Celebrant has room to place the Book of the Gospels) before returning to his/her seat.
Reader 3 will take the black folder from the Sacristy into the church before Mass.
When the Sanctuary lights have been turned on, or at a signal from the Celebrant, he/she will go to the lectern to begin the Introduction. Check the microphone.
Return to seat at the end of the introduction
At the end of the Profession of Faith (Creed), Reader 3 will return to the lectern, wait for the Celebrant to read the introductory prayer, then read the Intercessions.
Pause for 5 seconds before words such as "We pray to the Lord".
Wait for a response from the congregation such as "Lord Hear our prayer" before reading the next Intercession.
He/she will wait for the Celebrant to read the final prayer of the Intercessions before returning to his/her seat.
Each reader should check that the microphone is in the correct position for him/herself by moving the stem, not the actual microphone, as this will cause static.
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