I.           Introduction:  

To be in ministry is to serve the Lord and His people --- it is a privilege, not a right!  A Minister of the Word (Lector) serves God and God’s people at Mass by proclaiming God’s Word.  When you answer this call, you enter a deeper relationship with God revealed in sacred scripture.  You take upon yourself the awesome duty and privilege of sharing the Word with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Lectors proclaim the readings, with the exception of the Gospel.  You may also read the general intercessions.

Your part in this ministry helps set the tone for all who take part in the Mass. What you do and how you do it can help other people understand the Mass better and make their love for God stronger.  Your involvement in the Mass serves as an example and an encouragement for others to be actively involved.  At Mass, your actions and appearance show that you are proud to serve.

You are asked to take this ministry seriously and to realize that it is done as a response to God’s call to service in the church. It is also understood that as a minister of this sacrament of unity that you will work to build up and unify the community of Queenship of Mary and be a positive presence within this parish.

II.         Expectations:

A.    Arrive at Church at least 15 minutes before Mass begins.  Sign in, review the intercessions and join in greeting parishioners as they arrive in church.  We are all called to be ministers of hospitability.  Be attentive to the noise level in the lobby, as parishioners are praying in church.

B.      Upon arrival please sign in. Know that these sign in sheets will be used as an attendance record. If you are consistently absent you may be asked to step down from the ministry.  If you inform the ministry head of your special request before the 10^th of the prior month, or earlier if the 10^th falls on a weekend, it will be honored, thereby, negating the need for a substitute.  You are expected to fulfill your obligation to serve at your assigned time or find your own replacement if you cannot make it for whatever reason.

C.     The Ministry head will handle the scheduling for each Mass.   

D.    All Lectors should maintain a spirit of appropriate reverence. This reverence is shown by your demeanor, your manner and your dress. Therefore, you should be appropriately dressed whenever you are scheduled to serve. Sweat pants, sweat shirts, t-shirts, jeans, shorts, sneakers, flip flops, uncovered shoulders, etc. are not considered appropriate. Exceptions may be allowed if you are filling in without advanced notice and no other lectors are available.

E.      One lector is assigned to each Mass.   While it is relatively easy to find a substitute at the last minute for a Eucharistic Minister or Usher, a lector who is asked to fill in at the last minute will not be prepared to present the readings or may not be appropriately dressed.  If a subsequent conflict should occur, it is your responsibility to get a substitute.

Complete guidelines