Dear Jesus,

Thank you for calling me to be a lector at your eucharistic celebrations. Let me take this role seriously and diligently prepare myself for it by studying the sacred text before Mass and by striving to be a better Christian. By my physical action of reading, I am the instrument through whom you become present to the assembly in your Word and through whom you impart your teachings. Let nothing in my manner disturb your people or close their hearts to the action of your Spirit. Cleanse my heart and mind and open my lips that I may worthily proclaim your Word.

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Lector Schedule: October 4 to November 23, 2008

Lector Schedule: November 27 to December 21, 2008

Note: Lectors are to contact Marie Lichtenstein at LMizMarieL@aol.com and Dave Flood at macantuile@yahoo.com to arrange for a substitute to cover their reading. Thanks for your continuing cooperation on this important matter.

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TO: ALL LECTORS

FROM: SUZANNE AUSTIN

SUBJECT: REVIEW OF PROCEDURES

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THE "BEFORE MASS" CHECK LIST:

1. When you arrive at church, go to the sacristy and sign in. The sign-in book is a black 3-ring binder and it should be open and on a pedestal. (The Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers and Sacristans also sign-in using this same book.) Be sure it's opened to the correct page. If the other lector has not signed in. be prepared to do both readings, the petitions and the announcements, just in case the other lector does not show up.

2. The Lectionary and Book of The Gospels: Locate the lectionary and open it to the spot that marks your reading. Put this lectionary on the Ambo open to the first reading. The Deacon will carry the Book of the Gospels in. If a Deacon is not present, then the A Lector will process in with the Book. Do not process OUT with the Book after Mass.

3. Check the Ambo microphone to be sure it is on. If it's not on, turn the switch to "on." The switch is a button at the base of the microphone. When on, the light will be lit. If you have trouble turning it on, inform the Sacristan and he/she will turn on the system. Go back after this to check the microphone once again.

4. While at the Ambo, check to see if the step (under the microphone) is secured, i.e., is it locked in place? If it's not, it will rattle and make a lot of noise when you are ascending & descending the steps.

5. Set the microphone at a good distance (about 3-5" from your mouth). Move it by the neck to adjust it. B Reader, please note: the cantor singing the psalms may have moved the microphone...be aware. Also...B Reader - the priest may have turned off the mike before his homily. When you are at the ambo prior to reading the petitions, check the mike.

6. Check-in with the cantor(s), especially if you are the B Reader. Ask them if there is anything special, or out of the ordinary that they have planned that may affect your procedure - e.g., will they sing before you begin the petitions? Or, do you start them out and then they sing? Note: B Readers - be sure to close the Lectionary and return it to the shelf below the pulpit after your reading.

7. Check the petitions and read them over. They are in the 3-ring blue folder on the counter in the Sacristy. Be sure to pronounce the names of the sick and deceased correctly. This is important to the family members sitting in the congregation, waiting to hear the names of their loved ones announced. Ask the Sacristan or Eucharistic Ministers how to pronounce names you are unfamiliar with. Ask the priest as a last resort. We want to avoid bothering him or breaking his concentration and meditation before Mass.

8. B Readers - be sure to check the book on the stand, in the Narthex, that you will be reading the petitions from. If there are any "priest approved" or "Dominic approved" additions in the blue 3-ring binder in the sacristy, be sure these additions are written in the book that you will be reading from. Because of the distance factor, the B Reader may want to take the red petition book to their seat before Mass. Please return the red book to its stand as soon as the Mass is over. Parishioners look for the book after Mass to write in it. An option would be to take the book back to its stand during Communion.

9. A Reader - be sure that a copy of the announcements is on the cantor stand, ready for you to read. Also, check in the blue 3-ring binder in the Sacristy to see if there are any "priest or Dominic approved" announcements that have been added. Add these to the copy on the cantor stand (if not already added). After the communion prayer, be ready to read the announcements. Make eye contact with the priest so that he knows you are ready to read the announcements. Read the announcements slowly. The cantor microphone is set at a different level than the Ambo microphone. Speak clearly into it. Pronounce the letters at the end of words clearly. Read only what is on the sheet. So not announce "There are three announcements" - or - "Number 1" - or - "Lastly..."

10. As you can see, with all these check points, it is necessary to arrive at least 20 minutes before Mass. It is also important to have two lectors at each Mass to share the responsibilities. 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