Be at the Sacristy at least 20 minutes before Mass.
Sign in – binder on pedestal (near the front door).
Be prepared to do both readings.
If one lector does not show up by 10 minutes before Mass, the lector present should check the congregation to see if a lector is there who would be willing to serve. If successful, the lector present should inform the Sacristan. If this is not possible, then the lector present will do both readings, petitions and announcements.

Locate the Lectionary in the Sacristy and make sure it is open to the spot that marks your reading. Make a mental note of the page for your reading. Look over the reading.

B Reader: check the petitions in the Blue binder in the Sacristy and read them over.
If any questions about pronunciation of names, check with Sacristan for advice.
Go to Prayer Petition Book on stand in narthex and make sure the same petitions are in the back of this book.

Wait until the procession starts, then take this book with you to your seat so you’ll have it with you when you read the petitions.
Note: if there are “priest-approved” or “Dominic-approved” additions to the petitions in the blue binder, make sure the same additions are in the Prayer Petition Book.

A Reader: check the announcements in the Blue binder in the Sacristy and read them over.
Go to the cantor stand to make sure the sheet is there with the announcements.
Note: if there are “priest-approved” or “Dominic-approved” additions to the announcements in the blue binder, make sure the same additions are on the announcement sheet on the cantor stand.
Check to see if someone else is scheduled to give the announcements. That should be noted in the blue binder.

After both readers have read over the readings in the Lectionary, take the Lectionary and place it on the ambo, opened up to the first reading. Make sure the mike is “on” – check to make sure the green light at the base is on. Adjust the mike to suit you.

A Reader: if there is no Deacon participating in the Mass, you will carry in the Book of The Gospels in the procession, behind the altar servers and ahead of the priest. Place the book on the altar, return to the bottom of the steps with the priest, bow, wait for the priest to ascend the altar and return, and then go to your seat when the priest and altar servers go.
If there is a Deacon, then he will carry in the Book of The Gospels, and you can just go to your seat without participating in the procession.

A Reader: be prepared to do your reading after the Gloria and after the short prayer that the priest reads from the book that the altar server holds for him. When the priest then sits down, that is your cue to go to the ambo.
Should there be a dismissal for Children’s Liturgy of the Word, then wait at the bottom of the ambo stairs until the children are dismissed by the priest.
During Advent and Lent, the Gloria is omitted. In that case, the priest reads his prayer directly after the Kyrie, so be prepared to do your reading right after that.

After your reading, be sure the Lectionary page is open to the second reading for the B Reader.
After saying “The Word of The Lord,” wait a few seconds before descending the steps to return to your seat.

B Reader: be prepared to do your reading after the singing of the Responsorial Psalm.

Adjust the mike before you speak.
After saying “The Word of The Lord,” wait a few seconds, then close the Lectionary and place it on the shelf in the ambo.

B Reader: be prepared , with the Red Book of Petitions in your hand, to read the petitions after the homily, following the creed.
Be prepared to ascend the ambo right after the creed.
The B lector should be aware that in some long liturgies, the creed may be omitted, so he or she should be ready to start the petitions in that case following the homily. This may or may not be specified in the liturgy notes.
Listen for the priest’s prayer that immediately precedes the petitions.
Before reading the petitions, be sure to check the mike to see that the green light is “on.”
After reading the petitions, you may want to take the book back to its pedestal in the narthex (you may opt to do this during Communion). The Red Book of Petitions should be available immediately after Mass for those people who want to place names in it.

A Reader: be prepared to read the announcements from the cantor stand right after the priest reads the Communion Prayer.
Make eye contact with the priest so that he knows you are ready to read the announcements.
Read the announcements slowly. Speak clearly into the mike.
Read only what is on the sheet ( no “there is one announcement,” or “number one,” or “lastly”).

Both readers: make sure the Lectionary and Book of The Gospels are returned to the Sacristy after Mass.

If you cannot make it to your assigned Mass, please contact Marie Lichtenstein at LMizMarieL@aol.com and/or Dave Flood at macantuile@yahoo.com and they will arrange for a substitute. Thank you for your attention to these procedures.

Suzanne Austin.

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SOME THINGS FOR LECTORS TO REMEMBER

† Reverence

Always approach your reading with reverence.
It will come across as you do your reading.

† Enunciation

Read distinctly and slowly (about half the speed of regular speech).
Give emphasis in the reading where indicated in the workbook.

† Attention

Keep the congregation's attention to the Word by looking up often during the reading to different sections of the church. Tip: follow the text with your finger so as not to lose your place when you look up.

† Dedication

Do your homework. Read the readings several days before your assigned Mass. Once you feel you have perfected the way you want to do the reading - practice reading it to a spouse or friend.

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To study your readings online, go to:Lectors Website