Lectors Workshop 2015 Guting Sacred Heart

Lectors & Commentators WorkshopGuting Sacred Heart Taipei

June 2015

Summary

2

Read Slowly

Processwith the

Celebrant before and after mass

Bow or Genuflect when entering and exiting the

Sanctuary

EXCEPT when you are holding the Lectionary

Do not bow

“Ignorance of the Scripturesis ignorance of Christ”

St Jerome

LECTORS11:00am English Mass

Lectors

OVERVIEWLITURGY OF THE WORD

BODY LANGUAGE

CHURCH ALTARREVERENCE & DISPOSITION

ATTIRE

ApproachDelivery

Eye ContactUsing Voice

Who are we?

We are Ministers of the Church

Presenters/Readers at the

Eucharistic CelebrationsMinisters of the Word

(Vatican II)

Called to

“PROCLAIM” the

WORD of God

Members of the church

congregation

Fulfilling a mission to

our community -

Service in Humility

Sacred duty

involves sharing of

one’s own faith.

What is our Role?

A good lector allows the people to sense the presence of the living Jesus through his/her Proclamation of the Word

Lectors


BODY LANGUAGE


ATTIRE

ApproachDelivery


The Whole Eucharistic Celebration

LITURGY

of the

WORD

Scripture Readings

Homily

Creed

Intercessions

LITURGY

of the

EUCHARIST

Preparation

Eucharistic Prayer

Communion Rite

The Word of God has the powerto challenge, comfort, and build the Community

• Do you clearly understand the passage?

• Can you read effectively without understanding what the Sacred Writer is saying?

• Read and reflect on what the Word is saying to you

• Break the word with fellow lectors and share the message

Sacred readings: part of the Church’s liturgyDo not take too long in place, nor exit in a jarring fashion

Never Read

without Preparation

Take time to read the

passage over and over for

familiarity and confidence

Each passage has a

different message

Let the words come alive

and speak to you

Check difficult words

particularly in the Old

Testaments

Be sure your

pronunciation is correct

Do not “stumble” and

sound unsure at the lectern

Lectors


BODY LANGUAGE


ATTIRE

ApproachDelivery


BODY LANGUAGE: EYE CONTACT

Very important part of

the body languageOnly possible if

thoroughly familiar

Remember those

sitting at the sides

Alternate glances

while reading

one side, then the other

“Scanning” 90° or 180° is distracting

Do not rush

Look at the congregation

Slow down…like an airplane

making a soft landing

BODY LANGUAGE: EYE CONTACT

Taking a deep breathbefore starting, then say:

“A reading from the Prophet Isaiah”

Pause for 5 secsbefore saying:

“The Word of the Lord”

Position comfortably6~8” is a safe distance

Do not ignore feedbackstop and move away

turn off mic

calmly seek assistance

begin the reading again

BODY LANGUAGE: USING VOICE

Proclaim slowly

Do not over-dramatize

Employ different voices

with voice change and

emphasis

Read with variation and

emotionBUT:


Practice deep breathing

Breath supports the voice

A deep breath will calm your nerves



Good articulation is very important

Do not be afraid to open your mouth Good idea to exercise your lips and jaws before reading


Verbs

NounsAdjectives

& Adverbs

Emphasis

1

2 3

1-dot pausecolons, commas


Employ a good long “5-dot” pause to end the Reading

Pause for variety

2-dot pausesemi-colons

3-dot pausefull stop,

exclamation marks

Pronounce every syllable

Distinctiveness


?:,;.

Watch out for “dentals”

like D’s and T’s

Inflections

Lectors


BODY LANGUAGE


ATTIRE

ApproachDelivery


PRIMARY SYMBOL IS THE ALTAR ITSELF

if the Blessed Sacrament/Tabernacle is not on the central axis, procession

should make a profound bow to the Altar

Why does the Celebrant kiss the Altar twice:

Before & After Mass?

Blessed and consecrated

with the Chrism Oilmakes it the MOST SACRED and

HOLY Feature at Mass

Only ONE ALTAR

in each Church –

as there is only

ONE CHRIST

This focus ends when the Celebrant says,

“The Mass is ended… Go in the Peace of Christ”

Only during mass does the Altar takes

precedence over the Tabernacle Transformation of the Body & Blood of Christ

Sacred Consecration

Genuflect and bow to the Altar during Mass

Lectors


BODY LANGUAGE


ATTIRE

ApproachDelivery


Reverence & Disposition

• Spend a few moments in prayer before reading

• Carry the “Lectionary” high with grace and dignity

• Handle with care & reverenceit is a tabernacle of the Lord’s presence

• At the sanctuary, gently place the lectionary on the lectern

• Stand next to the Lecturn• After the celebrant is at the

altar, descend, bow and return to your pew

During Mass, bow towards the Altar

Before/After mass, bow towards the Tabernacle

Stand at the lectern (ambo)

take your time…

couple of deep breaths

adjust the mike to a comfortable position ;

• When proclaiming, maintain eye contact

• 5-dot pause, then begin reading, slowly

• Do not rush

• After the last line of scripture…

bow your head and take another 5-dot pause;

look up again at the congregation

and say: “The Word of the Lord”

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Examples

Book of Wisdom… Proverbs… Sirach… Songs…

Prophet Jeremiah… Ezekiel… Joel… Zechariah…

Lectors


BODY LANGUAGE


ATTIRE

ApproachDelivery


“Sunday best”

CHRIST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSONat the Eucharistic Celebration and we have been invited to His Paschal Meal

• Liturgical GarbNOT necessary

• Reverence & Dignity

Dress appropriately

same guideline as attire for Lectors

Please avoid jeans

shorts or culottes “spaghetti” straps – tees

mini-skirts

“flip flop” sandals

or lazy slipperselegant high heel sandals are ok

Practice! Be familiar with the

readings

Check the lectionaryMark the correct page

Be ready!At least 15 minutes

BEFORE Mass

Assembleat the entrance of the Church

Wait for the Presider to

stand at the Altardescends, bow & return to your pew

Proceed directly to

the lecternbefore incensing begins

BEHIND Altar Serversbut IN FRONT of Presider and

Co-celebrants

Carry the

Lectionary HIGH,when processing

Be conscious of the tips

we have covered

You are responsible for finding your

own substitute if you cannot perform duty

Conclude and descend

in a dignified manner

TAKE-AWAY MESSAGES

You are the instrument of God – privileged and chosen

Yours is to PROCLAIM the WORD of GOD

PREPARE the WORD which is yours to speak

Study the scriptures you have been invited to proclaim

Share the WORD with the worshipping community

Yours is the task of telling the salvation story

Anyone can read scripture in public,

ONLY believers can PROCLAIM the word of God

Give your role as a Minister of the Word

AWESOME REVERENCE AND DIGNITY

Franciscan Friar B. Lester

trained lectors in Singapore

Fr Ron Lewinsky

Liturgist from Chicago

GOD DESERVES ONLY THE BEST THAT WE CAN GIVE!

Not proclaiming theWORD of God properly and clearly is an “insult” to Godif the congregation does not

understand what you are Proclaiming

If the Lector is lacking in fulfilling his/her commitment and

responsibility as a Lector and is clearly not suitable for the Ministry he/she is in … it is the responsibility

of the lector to “bow out” of the ministry because he/she is not giving

his/her best to the Church and Assembly. Find another ministry that

might suit him/her better

PARTING ADVICE FROM THE ORDAINED MINISTRY

COMMENTATORS11:00am English Mass

Who are we?

We are Ministers of the Church

What is our Role?

To lead and motivate the assembly of peopletowards a faith-filled worship of God

You are responsibleIf you are unable to meet your obligations,

you are expected to find a substitute

Except for unforeseen circumstances

Dress appropriately

same guideline as attire for Lectors

Mic CheckPREPARATION

Avoid “spitting” into the michint: you are too close

Stay at least 6” awayyour voice will be muffled so you won’t be heard

Ensure readings are at

the correct pages

Check the Lectionary

Keep a Low Profile

Attention should be on the

Celebrant and the

Eucharist

Avoid unnecessary movement

Stand at the lectern only

when the role requires you

The Order of the Mass

Roman Rites

Introductory

RitesLITURGY

of the

WORD

Biblical Readings

Homily

Creed

Intercessions

Concluding

Rite LITURGY

of the

EUCHARIST

Preparation

Eucharistic Prayer

Communion Rite

Know your cues

Entrance Hymn

Introductory Rites

1st Reading

2nd Reading

Gospel

Homily

Profession of Faith

Creed

Intercessory Prayers

Let us pray…

Offertory Hymn

Eucharist

Presentation of the Gifts

Thanksgiving Rites

Communion Rites Sharing with EMs

Communion Reminders

Communion

Parish Announcements

Concluding Rite

Recessional Hymn

“Welcome to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

Today we celebrate - the 1st Sunday in Ordinary time …

Please rise and join our choir in singing the Entrance Hymn…

Greet congregation

Announce Mass

Wait for cue from L1

Quality content

Reasonably brief

4 Intercessory Prayers Max+ 1 personal petition

For the Pope and the Church

For local community and parish needs

For the poor and desolate

Any world events e.g. floods, earthquakes, epidemics, war,etc

Invite congregation to raise personal petitions in silence

Intercessory Prayers are prepared for

Commentators who may wish to use them

Note some small detailsLet us pray…

Offertory Hymn

Eucharist

Presentation of the Gifts

Thanksgiving Rites

Communion Rites Sharing with EMs

Communion Reminders

Communion

Parish Announcements

Concluding Rite

Recessional Hymn

Invite congregationto sit down

Coordinate timingwith choir

Thank congregationfor participating

a pleasant Sunday and a good week ahead

Crossing legs?

Proper Etiquette

in the Santuary

Where should I

stand?Should I genuflect

or bow every time

I go up and down

the sanctuary?

Announcements:avoid “re-hashing” the bulletin

Highlight only important items/events that need reminding

Days of Obligation

Special Feasts

Notable Festivities

Caritas Needs

during Lent & Advent

What happens if a

reader doesn't

show up? What

are my options?

When do I

announce the first

communion

hymn?

Should I seek out

the Children's

Liturgy teacher

before Mass?

What happens if things don’t go

as planned?

The choir changes

songs?

Lectors Workshop 2015 Guting Sacred Heart

Education

Transcript of Lectors Workshop 2015 Guting Sacred Heart