Reminders and Talking Points for the Lectors and Commentators at the Guting Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Taipei, Taiwan

1. Lectors & Commentators Workshop
Guting Sacred Heart Taipei
June 2015

2. Summary
2
Read
Slowly
Process
with 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

3. “Ignorance of the Scriptures
is ignorance of Christ”
St Jerome

4. LECTORS
11:00am English Mass

5. Lectors
OVERVIEW
LITURGY OF
THE WORD
BODY
LANGUAGE
CHURCH ALTAR
REVERENCE &
DISPOSITION
ATTIRE
Approach
Delivery
Eye Contact
Using Voice

6. Who are we?
We are Ministers of the Church
Presenters/Readers at the
Eucharistic Celebrations
Ministers 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.

7. 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

8. Lectors
OVERVIEW
LITURGY OF
THE WORD
BODY
LANGUAGE
CHURCH ALTAR
REVERENCE &
DISPOSITION
ATTIRE
Approach
Delivery
Eye Contact
Using Voice

9. 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 power
to challenge, comfort, and build the Community

10. • 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 liturgy
Do not take too long in place, nor exit in a jarring fashion

11. 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

12. Lectors
OVERVIEW
LITURGY OF
THE WORD
BODY
LANGUAGE
CHURCH ALTAR
REVERENCE &
DISPOSITION
ATTIRE
Approach
Delivery
Eye Contact
Using Voice

13. BODY LANGUAGE: EYE CONTACT
Very important part of
the body language
Only 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

14. Do not rush
Look at the congregation
Slow down…
like an airplane
making a soft landing
BODY LANGUAGE: EYE CONTACT
Taking a deep breath
before starting, then say:
“A reading from the Prophet Isaiah”
Pause for 5 secs
before saying:
“The Word of the Lord”

15. Position comfortably
6~8” is a safe distance
Do not ignore feedback
stop and move away
turn off mic
calmly seek assistance
begin the reading again
BODY LANGUAGE: USING VOICE
Proclaim slowly

16. Do not over-dramatize
Employ different voices
with voice change and
emphasis
Read with
variation and
emotion
BUT:
BODY LANGUAGE: USING VOICE

17. Practice deep breathing
Breath supports the voice
A deep breath will calm your nerves
BODY LANGUAGE: USING VOICE

18. BODY LANGUAGE: USING VOICE
Good articulation is very important
Do not be afraid to open your mouth
Good idea to exercise your lips and jaws before reading

19. BODY LANGUAGE: USING VOICE
Verbs
Nouns
Adjectives
& Adverbs
Emphasis
1
2 3

20. 1-dot pause
colons, commas
BODY LANGUAGE: USING VOICE
Employ a good long “5-dot” pause to end the Reading
Pause for variety
2-dot pause
semi-colons
3-dot pause
full stop,
exclamation marks

21. Pronounce every
syllable
Distinctiveness
BODY LANGUAGE: USING VOICE
?:,;.
Watch out for
“dentals”
like D’s and T’s
Inflections

22. Lectors
OVERVIEW
LITURGY OF
THE WORD
BODY
LANGUAGE
CHURCH ALTAR
REVERENCE &
DISPOSITION
ATTIRE
Approach
Delivery
Eye Contact
Using Voice

23. 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 Oil
makes it the MOST SACRED and
HOLY Feature at Mass

24. 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

25. Lectors
OVERVIEW
LITURGY OF
THE WORD
BODY
LANGUAGE
CHURCH ALTAR
REVERENCE &
DISPOSITION
ATTIRE
Approach
Delivery
Eye Contact
Using Voice

26. Reverence &
Disposition
• Spend a few moments in prayer
before reading
• Carry the “Lectionary” high
with grace and dignity
• Handle with care & reverence
it 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

27. 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 ;

28. • 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…

29. Lectors
OVERVIEW
LITURGY OF
THE WORD
BODY
LANGUAGE
CHURCH ALTAR
REVERENCE &
DISPOSITION
ATTIRE
Approach
Delivery
Eye Contact
Using Voice

30. “Sunday best”
CHRIST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON
at the Eucharistic Celebration and we have been invited to His Paschal Meal
• Liturgical Garb
NOT necessary
• Reverence & Dignity

31. Dress appropriately
same guideline as attire for Lectors

32. Please avoid
jeans
shorts or culottes“spaghetti” straps – tees
mini-skirts
“flip flop” sandals
or lazy slippers
elegant high heel sandals are ok

33. Practice!
Be familiar with the
readings
Check the lectionary
Mark the correct page
Be ready!
At least 15 minutes
BEFORE Mass
Assemble
at the entrance of the Church

34. Wait for the Presider to
stand at the Altar
descends, bow & return to your pew
Proceed directly to
the lectern
before incensing begins
BEHIND Altar Servers
but IN FRONT of Presider and
Co-celebrants
Carry the
Lectionary HIGH,
when processing

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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 the
WORD of God properly and
clearly is an “insult” to God
if 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

38. COMMENTATORS
11:00am English Mass

39. Who are we?
We are Ministers of the Church

40. What is our Role?
To lead and motivate the assembly of people
towards a faith-filled worship of God

41. You are responsible
If you are unable to meet your obligations,
you are expected to find a substitute
Except for unforeseen circumstances

42. Dress appropriately
same guideline as attire for Lectors

43. Mic Check
PREPARATION
Avoid “spitting” into the mic
hint: you are too close
Stay at least 6” away
your voice will be muffled so you won’t be heard

44. 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

45. The Order of the Mass
Roman Rites
Introductory
Rites
LITURGY
of the
WORD
Biblical Readings
Homily
Creed
Intercessions
Concluding
Rite
LITURGY
of the
EUCHARIST
Preparation
Eucharistic Prayer
Communion Rite

46. 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

47. “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

48. 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

49. Note some small details
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
Invite congregation
to sit down
Coordinate timing
with choir
Thank congregation
for participating
a pleasant Sunday and a good week ahead

50. 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?

51. 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

52. 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?