SACRED HEART CHURCH BAHRAIN

LECTORS MINISTRY

Guidelines for Lectors

Requirements : Those who are 13 years and above, can read loudly, clearly and would like to commit themselves

to proclaim the Word of God and preferably own a daily & Sunday Missal can join the Lectors Ministry.

Those who wish to join the Lector’s Ministry will first meet one of the Coordinators who will brief them about the rules

and regulations of the ministry.

Meetings: are held every last Monday of the month at 7.00 p.m. in the Audio Video Room. No reminders to meetings

will be made, however, notice will be posted on the notice board should there be a change.

Attendance: is compulsory at all meetings and activities of the Lectors Ministry.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, kindly send an excuse note (which is very essential) or alternatively contact

one of the coordinators with a valid reason, to be followed by an excuse note. Only genuine excuses such as illness or

work obligation are considered reasons for excuse.

If you are absent for two consecutive months without a genuine excuse, your name will not appear in the roster

for the following month.

If you are absent for three consecutive months without a genuine excuse, your name will be deleted from the register.

If you cannot do a reading for some reason or the other, kindly inform the mass monitor and/or the standby lector

well in advance. Kindly do not request a lector to do so at the last minute. You are required to note down the telephone numbers of lectors who read for the service you attend.

Preparation:

Lectors are requested to qualify themselves for their readings by exercising the 4 “P”s viz, Pray, Prepare, Practice, Proclaim.

PRAY: Select the psalm for the day and pray on those lines.

PREPARE: the text by referring to different books for pronunciation. Understand the reading.

PRACTICE: practice your assigned reading as many times as possible, which will help to minimize omission or addition of words, breaking the sentences for correct meaning and reading meaningfully.

PROCLAIM: in a slow, loud, clear voice to convey the message.

Day of Reading:

Kindly come at least 15 minutes earlier to the mass to sign the Roster and say the Lectors’ Prayer before proceeding to your seat. All lectors are supposed to sit in the area designated (the pew opposite to the lectern). It is easier to locate a lector should there be a need.

When you go up to read, walk to the center of the aisle, bow and go to the lectern. For all readings bow at the Lectionary before and after the reading.

If for any reason you are late for a reading, the standby will do the same. If you happen to arrive after the procession has started (for obligation masses), do not claim your reading but let the standby carry on. After the mass return to the sacristy to say the prayer.

HOW TO READ

First Reading and Second Reading

Begin with “A READING FROM……”

Pause for 2 seconds and begin with the reading.

Pause for 10 seconds after the reading and then say

“THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD”

Responsorial Psalm (Daily Mass only)

Begin with “RESPONSORIAL PSALM”

Say the response

and repeat the response with the congregation.

Gospel Acclamation

Please check the correct gospel acclamation as per leaflet.

Begin with “KINDLY RISE”

Pause and recite the Acclamation with the congregation.

Bidding Prayer/Announcements

Please make sure that you leave your place when you start saying “He suffered under Pontius Pilate,……….

Bidding Prayer Response … as per the Mass Bulletin and repeat the response with the congregation if it is not “Lord

hear our prayer”.

Please do not carry the Bidding Prayer/Announcement sheet to the lectern as a copy is already placed there. Go

through the Bidding Prayer/Announcement before the mass thoroughly.

For the announcements leave your place when the priests in the centre go up the altar and start the announcements

after the front row of Eucharistic Ministers in the church have finished distributing Holy Communion. After you finish

the announcements bow and go back to the pew.

Dress Code: Lectors selected for reading should not wear jeans, tight pants, clinging blouses, T shirts, short skirts, sandals or sports shoes. The gents in particular should wear plain/light colored shirts as against multi colored, checked, printed shirts and a necktie. Any lector inappropriately dressed should, if noticed before the service be asked not to do the reading.

In short, your attire should not be the point of attraction, rather your reading should hold the attention of the congregation. Your commitment and dedication will be portrayed by how well you adhere to the information provided.

General:

If you would like to change your mass preference, kindly inform the coordinator by 10^th of the month. Once a preference is given, keep to the commitment except for unforeseen circumstances.

If your name is on the list for practice sessions, kindly attend or your name will not appear in the roster for the following month or until you fulfill the obligation.

If you are going on vacation or short holidays fill up the leave schedule kept in the lectors file in the sacristy.

Lectors are urged to attend the Holy Hour every first Friday of the month at 4.15 p.m.

St. Jerome is the Patron saint of Lectors and his feast is on 30^th September. Lectors’ installation is held around this feast.

May the Holy Spirit fill us to proclaim The Word and touch the hearts of all the faithful at the liturgical celebration.

If you have any doubts, please contact any one of the coordinators.

Updated 23^rd February 2010