------- LECTORS -------

MINISTRY COMMITMENT

Thank you for accepting the invitation from your Church family to become a Minister
“Around the Table.” Serving in this special way has a profound impact on the way our St.
Paul Mission Statement, “To Live As The Body Of Christ,” comes to life.

The purpose of the Eucharistic Liturgy, as well as all Sacraments, is to make us holy, to
build up the Body of Christ and to worship God. The Liturgy “nourishes, strengthens and
expresses faith.” (CCC 1123)

By saying, “Yes” to this calling, I agree to the following:

ü I commit to serve in this one Liturgical Ministry for a two-year period.
ü I understand the importance of my ministry in the overall mission of our Parish “To
Live As The Body Of Christ.”
ü I will approach the Celebration of the Eucharist with a spirit of the Joy of Christ.
ü I will prepare myself during the week being reflective of the upcoming Readings so
that I will be prepared spiritually, physically and emotionally.
ü I will arrive on time and dress appropriately when I am scheduled to serve.
ü I will find a replacement in the event I cannot serve at my scheduled time.
ü When I am not scheduled to serve, I will be a better participant in the pew by being
attentive, listening, and responding enthusiastically.

By signing below, I agree to all of the above statements:

Ministry: ___________________________________________________________________

Mass preference: (circle one) 5:30 8:00 10:30

Printed Name: ____________________________________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________________________________

Date: ____________________________________________________________
 PURPOSE

This Ministry Manual is being provided to all Ministers "Around the Table" to create a
better understanding and zeal for authentic worship at St. Paul Parish. This information is
not only instruction of how to carry out the ministry, but to better understand why we
worship the way we do.
We want to rejuvenate the deep, spiritual meaning of being a participant in Mass. As St.
Augustine said, "Behold what you are. Become who you receive." Every time we celebrate
the Sacred Banquet together, we are fulfilling Jesus' command to "Do this in memory of
Me." We believe that the Risen Christ is truly present in the Liturgy in the Presider; in the
Holy Eucharist as His real presence of Body and Blood; in the Word proclaimed from the
Sacred Scriptures; and in the Community gathered in His Name.
We want to rediscover the importance of celebrating with joy, reverence, and essence of
the Paschal Mystery. From the time of the apostles, Christians have continually come
together to celebrate, to listen to Scripture, and to offer Thanksgiving. The Liturgy is a
communal encounter of Christ that brings us all together as a St. Paul Family.
Our main goal is to foster full, active and conscious participation in the Liturgical
Celebration in order to encounter the Living God in the Word and Eucharist, then return to
the world fulfilling our baptismal call to discipleship. As trained, prayerful Liturgical
Ministers, we will help plant that which God will grow.
We do not need to reinvent anything. We do not need to decide what Liturgy will be. The
Church has already planned the Liturgy. It is not a show or performance that people come
to observe. The Liturgy is a Sacred Celebration of the Paschal Mystery through which the
Mystery of Christ among us comes alive in all the people present.
Therefore, we want to make our preparation and attainment of the experience of Liturgy at
St. Paul a priority, not a last-minute execution of duties and tasks. CCC 1070 states,
"…every Liturgical Celebration is an action of Christ the priest and of this Body which is the
Church, is a sacred action surpassing all others."
We want to recognize every person who joins our Celebration as equal, necessary
members of the Body of Christ. We want each and every person to be received with Joy.
We, as Ministers, will serve them with Joy. We want to always be aware that Jesus Christ,
our Risen Lord, is indeed presiding at each Mass, proclaiming His Word, sharing His Body
and Blood, and sitting next to us extending His Hand in the sign of peace.
First, we ask you to personally pray regularly for the success, grace and insight to move in
the Divine Flow of meeting Christ in a real, personal way as a Minister of our Parish. Prayer
will always be the heart of Ministry. Prayer serves to continually renew and strengthen us
to serve our brothers and sisters.
An awareness of the sacredness of your Ministry will naturally follow. We are privileged to
have been called and invited to serve in this special way.
The great result will be a continual renewal of our love for the Eucharist and the
Sacraments, and a fruitful weekly experience of Liturgy.
THE MINISTRY OF LECTOR
The Lector proclaims the Word of God in the First and Second Readings of the Mass during
the Sunday Eucharistic Celebrations and Holy Days. What a great honor and distinction to
be called to proclaim His Word! You are not merely a reader, you are a Proclaimer of His
Word! When we speak the Word of God, we are God's mouthpiece. Each person will hear a
message through you as His instrument, and through the Holy Spirit. God calls those with
a good voice for reading and a good level of comfort to stand in front of the congregation.
History
Early in Church history, lay people proclaimed God's Word in their assemblies. Gradually,
this became the responsibility of men with minor orders in training for ordination.
Vatican II returned this privilege to the lay people. Reading is one way to publicly witness
to our Faith in answer to our Baptismal call.

Why
Our Readings come from the Sacred Scripture of the Bible, the Living Word of God.
Throughout history, people have given their lives to defend and uphold the truths of the
Word. Countless lives have been transformed by the Word.

How
Since this Ministry involves much more than merely reading a story, time needs to be
spent throughout the week leading to Sunday reading and praying over the Scripture.
Spend time with the Word, study the meaning, the historical context, the revelation given
to you. We have several copies of The Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers, and
Proclaimers of the Word for your use. You will take home a copy the Sunday before you
are scheduled. Read through it several times, pray about it, ask the Lord to reveal His
Word to you so that He may use you to reach others. This resource gives you what you
need to prepare. This is an excellent resource that gives understanding of the background,
speaker, location, pronunciations, inflections, and tips. Return the Workbook to the
Sacristy before Mass on the day you are scheduled to proclaim so that next week’s Lectors
can receive it.

Before Mass
1. Dress appropriately since you are serving at the Table of the Lord. Please do not
wear blue jeans, shorts, or casual footwear.
2. Dispose of any gum or candy.
3. Arrive 15 minutes before Mass time, put a checkmark by your name on the
schedule, and get a wooden cross from the hook in the Sacristy and wear it for
Mass.
4. If you do not check in by 10 minutes before Mass time, the Sacristan will find a
replacement. If your name is marked through on the posted schedule, someone
else has already been selected to serve in your place. You will not serve this Mass.
5. Take some time in the Chapel or a quiet place to pray for yourself and all who will
be gathered that you will reflect the Joy and Love of Christ.
6. Check the Ambo to be sure your microphone is turned on and set at the right height
for you. Check to be sure the Lectionary is at the Ambo and open to the correct
Readings. Check with the Choir Director to be sure they are singing the
Responsorial Psalm.
7. Decide between the 2 Lectors which of you will carry the Book of the Gospels to the
Altar.
8. Return to the Sacristy to pray with Father and all the Ministers. Line up for the
Procession.

During Mass

1. In the procession, you will follow the Altar Servers and carry the Book of the Gospels
in a raised position. Fr. Gerry will process behind you.
2. When you reach the Altar, step to the left and bow with Fr. Gerry and the Servers.
Place the Book of the Gospels on the Altar propped open in a standing position for
visibility (with the spine and cover facing the congregation). Then, take a seat in the
Congregation preferably along the front left aisle.

3. LECTOR #1
a. After praying the Collect, Father and the Congregation will take their seats. You
move forward to take your place at the Ambo. Bow toward the Altar before
ascending the steps. Pause to be sure the noise and people have settled.
** 10:30 Mass Children’s Liturgy only -- pause your approach to the Ambo
until Father has blessed the children and they are leaving the Sanctuary.
b. Look out at the Congregation to let them know you are beginning. Introduce the
First Reading by saying, "A Reading from the Book of _____________."
c. Speak slowly and clearly. Make eye contact with different sections of the
Congregation throughout the Reading. You will know it well enough to
confidently do this since you have prepared during the week.
d. When you reach the end of the Sacred Text, hold up the Lectionary to present it
to the Congregation. Look out at the people and say, "The Word of the Lord."
e. Then, place the Lectionary back on the Ambo, turn the page if necessary for the
second Lector and then return to your seat, bowing to the Altar as you leave.
f. Listen and participate in singing the Responsorial Psalm.
LECTOR #2
a. After the Psalm is complete and the music has stopped, pause for a few seconds
then rise and move forward to take your place at the Ambo. Bow toward the Altar
before ascending the steps. Pause to be sure the noise and people have settled.
 b. Look out at the Congregation to let them know you are beginning. Introduce the
First Reading by saying, "A Reading from the Book of _____________."
c. Speak slowly and clearly. Make eye contact with different sections of the
Congregation throughout the Reading. You will know it well enough to
confidently do this since you have prepared during the week.
d. When you reach the end of the Sacred Text, hold up the Lectionary to present it
to the Congregation. Look out at the people and say, "The Word of the Lord."
e. After the Congregation responds, "Thanks be to God,", close the Lectionary and
place it under the ledge on the shelf.
f. Take one step back and bow slightly to the Word. Proceed down the steps. At the
bottom, turn and bow to the Altar then continue to your seat in the Congregation.

4. At the end of Mass, Father will ask, “Who is proclaiming the Word next week?” Go
forward to receive the Workbook from Father. He will pray over you, then you
return to your seat. (Please be attentive to the schedule and make every effort to be
at the same Mass time for which you are scheduled one week prior, so you may
receive the workbook. If you cannot make that Mass time the week before your
scheduled Mass, please have someone go forward and receive the workbook in your
place.)
5. During the Closing Hymn, Father will move to the Altar, kiss the Altar and proceed
down the steps. You will join him and the Altar Servers for the Recessional. You will
all bow at Father's lead, then turn to recess down the Center aisle in the same order
as the Processional.
 Sacramentary - the Book
the Priest uses during Mass
Cup – holds the
Blood of Christ
Purificators – used to
wipe the Cup when
serving the Blood of Christ

Chalice with paten and host

Wine Decanter

Tabernacle and
Paten - plate for the Host
Red Sacristy Light

Cruet for water

Large Host - To be placed

on Father's paten

Monstrance – Holds the

Blessed Sacrament for
Exposition of the Eucharist
Corporal – Placed on
the Altar

Ciborium – holds the

Body of Christ