Formation workshop for Ministers of the Word continuing in their ministry at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville

2. Ministers of the Word
Formation Workshop

3. Today We Will
– Review the parish vision and implementation strategies
– Identify the types of preparation for proclamation and their
importance
– Practise the work of spiritual preparation to proclaim the
scriptures at Mass
– Review Mass procedures

7. Acolytes, Lectors and Readers

8. Preparing to Proclaim
All those entrusted with this
office, even those not instituted
in the ministry of Reader,
should be truly suitable and
carefully trained. This training
should be biblical and liturgical,
as well as technical…
-2010 Apostolic Exhortation Verbum
Domini
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Benedykt_XVI_%282010-10-17%29_4.jpg

9. Preparing to Proclaim

10. Preparing to Proclaim
… The purpose of their biblical formation is to give readers
the ability to understand the readings in context and to
perceive by the light of faith the central point of the revealed
message. The liturgical formation ought to equip the readers
to have some grasp of the meaning and structure of the
liturgy of the word and of the significance of its connection
with the liturgy of the Eucharist…
Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass, no. 55

11. Preparing to Proclaim
– Two types of preparation
- Spiritual
- Technical
– Equally important
- Good spiritual preparation can enhance technical preparation

12. Spiritual Preparation
– Not just for Ministers of the Word
– Several methods, but all have similar characteristics
- Read the Word
- Reflect on the Word
- Bringing the Word to life

13. Preparing Can Be Easy
Attend
Ask the Spirit for help in hearing
God’s message
Break Open
Ask what the passage is saying
about God, our relationship and
what God is saying
Connect
How will you respond to what you
have read?

14. Four Senses of Scripture
Literal
Spiritual
Allegorical
Moral
Anagogical
The meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture,
interpreted soundly
Symbolic; recognising the significance of
events in Christ
Scripture leads us to act justly
Viewing realities and events in terms of
eternal significance
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 115-119

15. Preparing
– Small groups, working together
– Reflecting on the readings for the Sundays of Advent
- What really resonates from what I have read
- How can I take that key message and get it across in my
proclamation?

16. Proclaiming the Word at Mass

17. Preparation
– Use the Preparing to Proclaim
resource provided
– Take time to reflect
– Read all three readings
– Let God speak to you through
the Scripture
– Specific preparation sessions
may be required on occasion

18. Before Mass
– Organise a swap or replacement if you cannot serve when
rostered on
– Arrive in plenty of time to prepare yourself
– Readers ensure the Lectionary is on the ambo
– Commentators ensure their microphone is on
– Readers have the Book of Gospels with them, ready in the
narthex
– Commentators greet the assembly with a short introduction

19. Entrance Procession
– Reader processes ahead
of priest
– Hold the book with dignity
and reverence
– Bow your head when the
priest bows
– Place the Book of Gospels
on the altar

20. Liturgy of the Word
– Approach the ambo with
dignity and reverence
– Proclaim slowly, clearly and
with life
– Give the assembly the
moments of silence to reflect
and allow words to penetrate

21. Liturgy of the Word
– Commentator is in position
for the start of the Prayer
of the Faithful
– Pause between the end of
the intention and “Lord,
hear us”
– Move the lectern away
after the Prayer of the
Faithful

22. After Mass Concludes
– Leave the Lectionary and commentator’s folder where they
can be easily located
- Ambo or commentator’s lectern, or,
- Work sacristy

23. olmcwentyliturgy.org
For guidelines and resources