Reminders for Readers

The Reader's Welcome
Before you come out, check with the Coordinator to make sure that you are reading the correct names of the ministers - especially the Gift Bearers. Also check that the sound system button in the sacristy is pushed on. Work on your welcoming presence. You are the first person the assembly sees.
The Lectionary and General Intercession Books
The Lectionary and General Intercession (Prayer of the Faithful) Book can remain at the ambo after the welcome.
The Opening Procession
The Reader is just before the Presider in the procession.
The Gospel Book
Process with the Gospel Book held high. When you reach the sanctuary, place it in its stand on the altar before you go to your place.
First Reading
Always wait until the assembly has stopped stirring and is ready to listen before you begin to read. This pertains to all our readings.
The Psalm
The psalm, also a scripture passage, is always sung. Leave a slight pause between the psalm and the second reading.
The Second Reading
Again, wait until the assembly has stopped stirring and is ready to listen before you begin to read.
After the Second Reading
Close the Lectionary and place it in the shelf of the ambo so when the Presider comes over with the gospel book he has an open stand. You may wish to put the Prayer of the Faithful book open and on top of the closed Lectionary in the shelf so that you can get to it easily when the time comes.
The Gospel Book
The Gospel Book remains open on the ambo after it is read from. The living Word of God remains alive in our midst!
RCIA Dismissal
One of the Readers should be ready to offer the Lectionary Book to the Presider who in turn, will give it to the Catechist. The scripture of the day is then shared in the group. Dismissal has been at 5:30 and 9:30 masses but changes due the group's availability.
The Prayer of the Faithful / General Intercessions
Names: Get here early enough to go over the pronunciation of the names of the sick and hospitalized. Some of them are difficult. (I put phonetics in when I think necessary). Intentions: I tend to write a bit poetically. Read these ahead of time so you don't stumble.
The Service Prayer
The Service Prayer closes the General Intercessions.
The Closing Procession
Again, please sing on the way out. The Gospel Book remains open on the ambo since the Word of God is alive in our midst! So, what do you carry out in recession? Take a songbook and sing!
  • Do not read too fast. As you know, scripture contains many images and ideas. We need time to absorb them.
  • Do not read softly... even at the Welcome. Microphones are only a tool. They can't do it all! Aim your words at the last person you see in the assembly and that should help you. It is too costly if we cannot hear or understand the scriptures.
  • Work on using enough eye contact and articulate! We don't have everyone use a missalette so that instead of reading the Word themselves, they can engage with you. Therefore, you need to engage with them.
  • Help by giving feedback to each other. That's one of the best ways to learn.
  • Let's do it all out of love!

I was still being tormented by this question of unfulfilled longings and it was a distraction to my prayer when I decided to consult St. Paul's epistles in the hopes of getting an answer. It was the 12th and 13th chapters of First Corinthians that claimed my attention. The first of these told me that we can't all of us be apostles, all of us be prophets, all of us doctors, and so on; the Church is composed of members which differ in their use; the eye is one thing and the hand is another. It was a clear enough answer, but it didn't satisfy my aspirations, didn't set my heart at rest... Reading on to the end of the chapter, I met this comforting phrase: Prize the best gifts of heaven. Meanwhile, I can show you a way that is better than any other.

What was it? The Apostle goes on to explain that all the gifts of all the gifts of heaven, even the most perfect of them, without love, are absolutely nothing; charity is the best way of all, because it leads straight to God. Now I was at peace; charity was the key to my vocation. Love was the true motive force which enabled the other members of the Church to act.

(St. Therese the Little Flower)