Lector Training at St. Theresa Church

Some Definitions Before We Begin Ambo – the lectern or podium used to proclaim the readings Lectionary – the book of readings for the Mass Prayer of the Faithful – the prayer of petition (we generally respond, “Lord hear our prayer.”) Communion Antiphon – the psalm or verse said by the congregation (lead by the Lector) after the celebrant consumes the Precious Blood if there is no Communion Song. August, 2011 MKG

More definitions Entrance Antiphon – the psalm or verse said by the congregation (lead by the lector) at the start of Mass. This often sets the tone or theme of the Mass. Introit - a part of a psalm with antiphon recited by the celebrant of the Mass at the foot of the altar and, at High Mass, sung by the choir when the priest begins the Mass. August, 2011 MKG

And More. . . Reverence the altar- once mass begins a bow from the waist with head lowered is the appropriate way to reverence the altar. Cantor- One who is tasked with leading the congregation in song (usually June Clark at St. Theresa’s). The cantor is a separate job from the lector. August, 2011 MKG

Before Mass August, 2011 MKG

Spiritual, Scriptural and Practical Preparation Pray over the text and reflect on its message Work on understanding the text and interpreting it sufficiently so as to evoke a response from the assembly Master the difficult words, practice delivery aloud, ideally in the presence of someone who can critique the delivery The readings can be found at www.usccb.org August, 2011 MKG

Spiritual, Scriptural and Practical Preparation (continued) Plan your phrasing and know when you will pause. Practice enunciating clearly. Consider adding emphasis and inflection (but not too much). It is natural to be a bit nervous when approaching reading before a congregation. This energy can be used to proclaim more effectively. August, 2011 MKG

Spiritual, Scriptural and Practical Preparation (continued) Keep in mind that you stand before the community as a believer. Proclaiming the word involves an active sharing. August, 2011 MKG

Spiritual, Scriptural and Practical Preparation (continued) Your physical appearance should convey your respect for your ministry and reverence for Our Lord. Be well groomed. Dress comfortably but nicely. You are not trying to draw attention to yourself by either dressing for a fashion show, a night club, or the ball park. Professional business attire is appropriate, coat and tie or sport shirt (collared, such as a polo) for men; dress, skirt, dress slacks with modest top for women. What Should I Wear? Something neat, modest, clean. (Something that would make Mom happy – Fr. Jim’s #1 Commandment!) What Not to Wear August, 2011 MKG

Spiritual, Scriptural and Practical Preparation (continued) Please Dress “Happily Married” for Your Ministry August, 2011 MKG

Arrive 15 minutes before Mass begins August, 2011 MKG

Check the Lectionary Is it open to the correct readings? Is there more than one version of the readings? Which version does the celebrant prefer? August, 2011 MKG

Check the Prayers of the Faithful August, 2011 MKG

Check for announcements August, 2011 MKG

Be sure everything is in order and that you can pronounce the words of the readings. A pronunciation guide for the readings can be found in the sacristy. August, 2011 MKG

Adjust the microphone Set the microphone level to just below your chin. Make sure the microphone is on. No need to shout Let the PA system do it’s job Use a normal conversational level August, 2011 MKG

Your Assistance May Be Needed Please check to see if the candles in the sanctuary are lit. If they are not lit and there are altar servers present, gently remind them to light the candles. Depending on their height, they may need some help. If they are not lit and there are not servers present, please light the candles. Once Mass begins, your assistance with servers is no longer needed August, 2011 MKG

Welcome (Begin the welcome when you see that Father is ready to start Mass.) Good Morning/Evening Welcome to St. Theresa’s. On behalf of our church family, we welcome those of you who are visiting with us today. (Pause) Please silence all phones. Today we celebrate the ____________ (examples: 26th Sunday in ordinary time, or Feast of Corpus Christi) August, 2011 MKG

Make Any Announcements Before Mass Example: August, 2011 MKG

Welcome (5:30 PM/10:30 AM) Our opening hymn is___________ , number_________ found in the song book. (Pause – so they can find the hymn or antiphon.) (5:30 PM and 10:30 AM) Please stand and welcome our celebrant, Fr. _______. August, 2011 MKG

8 AM and 6 PM No Opening Hymn Unless Fr. Tony is the celebrant We will begin Mass by praying the Prayer Before Mass and the Entrance Antiphon. The Prayer Before Mass can be found on the inside front cover of your bound missalette. August, 2011 MKG

8 AM and 6 PM No Opening Hymn Unless Fr. Tony is the celebrant Our introit is found on page ________ in the missalette. Please stand for our prayer and antiphon as we begin our celebration of Holy Mass and welcome our celebrant, Fr. ___________. August, 2011 MKG

Welcome - continued (Sit in the lector’s seat, to the left of the altar, until after the Opening Prayer or return to your pew.) August, 2011 MKG

Welcome - continued You donot remain at the ambo to serve as cantor for the opening song. If you choose to return to your pew, do not interfere with the procession. Sit in the assembly in a location that gives you easy access to the ambo. August, 2011 MKG

During Mass After the opening prayer, do not sit down. Go to the sanctuary, Stop before the first step, Bow to reverence the altar (facing the tabernacle)and Proceed to the ambo. August, 2011 MKG

Proclaiming the Readings REMEMBER: You have the task of making God present in the Liturgy of the Word for St. Theresa’s Church. God speaks through you as you proclaim in the church God’s word as communicated through the individuals who wrote the scriptures. August, 2011 MKG

Posture When you approach the microphone, pause and wait for the activity in the assembly to die down. Take a moment to compose yourself Proclaiming the word of God is a formal task, one requiring dignity and restraint. Avoid anything that might draw attention to you and away from the word you proclaim. August, 2011 MKG

Be careful how you communicate through your body language. Stand erect and hold your head high. Move slowly and deliberately. Eye contact is essential when reading before an assembly. But remember that this is a reading of God’s word, not a speech; there is no need for constant eye contact. August, 2011 MKG

If you have practiced the reading well, you will be able to address the congregation directly during important phrases, and glance back at your text during pauses. You might want to keep your finger at the spot from which you are reading so that you do not lose your place, if you can do this without drawing attention to your movements. Trying to establish eye contact can aid in achieving another objective of most readers: slowing down. August, 2011 MKG

The Readings Each reading begins, “A reading from the book of. . .” (No additional introduction is warranted. For example, it is not appropriate to say, “Today’s reading is from. . .” Or “The first reading is from. . .”) At the conclusion of the reading, pause. It gives the congregation time to reflect and make the reading their own. It will come across with a bit more emphasis when you say, “The word of the Lord.” August, 2011 MKG

The Readings (continued) Stand back from the ambo, after a pause of about 15 seconds, lead the responsorial psalm (if it is not being sung by the cantor or choir). If the psalm is sung by the cantor or choir, step away from the microphone, back by the lector’s chair. After you finish reading or the cantor finishes singing the responsorial psalm, proclaim the second reading. August, 2011 MKG

The Readings (continued) At the conclusion of the reading pause. It gives the congregation time to reflect and make the reading their own. Then say, "The word of the Lord.” Step back from the ambo. Pause 15 seconds then return to your pew, remembering to reverence the altar as you proceed. The lector does not recite the Alleluia. (GIRM 37, 39) If there is no cantor and you would like you may sing the Alleluia. If the Alleluia is not sung it is left out. (Remember - no Alleluia during lent.) August, 2011 MKG

Prayer of the Faithful(Not done during most 6:00 PM Masses) Before the conclusion of the Creed, begin slowly walking back to the ambo, again remembering to reverence the altar. The celebrant will pray an introduction to the Prayer of the Faithful. The Prayer of the Faithful is not a catalogue of requests that are run off but a time of public and private prayer. August, 2011 MKG

Make a substantial pause either before “we pray to the Lord,” or after “Lord hear our prayer.” This gives the congregation time to actually pray about what is being asked for. August, 2011 MKG

Do not add your personal intentions to those on the church’s preprinted intentions. You may pray them silently when appropriate. When we ask the congregation to pray in silence for their own intentions, take extra time for them to actually pray. Hint: A Hail Mary said to yourself usually will allow sufficient time for them to pray. The celebrant will pray a concluding prayer. You will then return to your seat, stopping to reverence the altar. August, 2011 MKG

Lamb of God The Lamb of God is prayed by the congregation, lead by our celebrant or the cantor. It is not the lector’s task to begin this holy prayer. August, 2011 MKG

Communion Antiphon After the priest consumes the precious blood, if there is no Communion Hymn, lead the congregation in reciting the Communion Antiphon. Remain at your place in the congregation. You may announce, “Communion Antiphon . . .” or just recite the Antiphon. August, 2011 MKG

Prayer After Mass If there is no recessional hymn, you may lead the Prayer After Mass that is found on a card in your pew. Remain in your pew, once Father has left the sanctuary, announce the Prayer After Mass and begin the prayer. August, 2011 MKG

Nervous? Who hasn’t been? Nervousness shows not a weakness but a respect for the congregation, the Word to be proclaimed and yourself. Focus on what you are trying to do; give it your best You will always be a bit nervous, but that is healthy and natural. August, 2011 MKG

Tips To Ease The Stress Hold on to the ambo. Follow down with your finger, pointing to the line being read just in case you lose your place. Take a deep breath before you begin. When you look up, look over the heads of those in the back of the church. August, 2011 MKG

Tips to Ease the Stress You are in charge!- or it looks that way. Say to yourself, “Hey the next time I do this I’ll be experienced and a pro!” It’s all in the attitude! August, 2011 MKG

Now What Do I Do? Visit our parish office or call to have Mrs. Bernadette Archer, our parish secretary, put your name on our Lector Schedule. She will ask you at which Mass you prefer to serve. Each month she will provide you with a schedule August, 2011 MKG

Lector Schedule If you know in the month prior that you will be unavailable on a particular weekend to read, please let Bernadette know before she prepares the schedule. She is always happy to work with you. August, 2011 MKG

You are responsible to get a substitute if you are on the schedule and are unable to fulfill your duties. A list of lectors and their phone numbers can be found on your schedule. August, 2011 MKG

Only in cases of extreme need is it allowed for one to serve in more than one ministry per Mass. August, 2011 MKG

If you no longer want to or are no longer able to serve as a lector at St. Theresa, please call the office to inform us. August, 2011 MKG

It is highly encouraged by our diocese that all those serving in ministry receive Youth Protection Training Updated on 08/17/2011 Schedule of Youth Protection Training Diocese of Birmingham Page 1 Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama Schedule of Youth Protection Training All information is subject to change – Please check back frequently 1. We update this document within hours of a new workshop being scheduled. This is the most up-to-date schedule available 2. Anyone who has a reasonable chance of being alone with an unrelated child is required to attend Youth Protection 1 3. Youth Protection 2 is for those who run programs or facilities or are in charge of other adults 4. Workshops are for clergy, religious, employees, faculty and volunteers 5. Attendees are expected to arrive on time and remain for the entire workshop. No credit for those who do not attend the whole workshop 6. You must pre-register by contacting the host! Those who fail to preregister may discover time changes, cancellations or lack of supplies 7. Contact us with questions or to host a workshop: youthministry@bhmdiocese.org at (205) 838-8301. Youth Protection 1 – Must be age 18 or older to attend Date Time Location Room Registration Deadline Host (Registration Contact) Always Leave Name & Contact Number 2011 TH Aug 18 6:00-8:00 PM Prince of Peace, Birmingham Deasy Hall MO Aug 15 205-822-9125 ext 23 FRI Aug 19 7:00-10:00 PM Resurrection, Clanton (IN SPANISH ONLY) TBA TH Aug 18 205-776-7161 WE Aug 24 6:00-8:00 PM Our Lady of the Valley, Fort Payne Parish Hall MO Aug 22 256-845-4774 FRI Aug 26 6:00-9:00 PM Holy Cross, Albertville (IN SPANISH ONLY) TBA TH Aug 25 205-776-7161 MO Aug 29 6:00-8:00 PM St. Joseph, Florence School Cafeteria TH Aug 25 256-766-1923 SAT Sep 3 9:00AM-12:00PM Prince of Peace, Hoover (IN SPANISH ONLY) TBA FRI Sep 2 205-776-7161 TU Sep 6 5:30-7:30 PM Sacred Heart School, Cullman School Cafeteria MO Sep 5 256-734-4563 TH Sep 8 6:00 – 8:00 PM St. John the Baptist School, Madison School Cafeteria MO Sep 5 256-722-0722 Cafeteria FRI Sep 9 205-836-5385 See www.bhmdiocese.org For a Youth Protection Training Schedule August, 2011 MKG

Prayer For the Ministry of Lector Almighty God, cleanse my heart and lips That I may worthily proclaim the Word, Bless my efforts to prepare, That I may meditate on Your Word, Understand it better, And proclaim it faithfully to your people; Surround my ministry with your presence, That I may carefully perform the task entrusted to me, Preach Jesus Christ to others, Announce the Word of God properly, Watch it grow in the heart of listeners, And give glory to you, Father, Through your Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen Venerable Bede Patron Saint of Lectors August, 2011 MKG

Thank you for your service to St. Theresa Church!!!!! August, 2011 MKG

Lector Training at St. Theresa Church