READERS AT MASS
ABOUT READING AT MASS
The Ministry of reading God’s Word aloud for others is both a privilege and a challenge.
Just as others in our community may be Ministers of the Eucharist and assist in distributing Holy Communion, so Readers are entrusted with the sharing of God’s Word.
Through you, people have the opportunity to receive the Good News of the Father’s purpose and His love; through that proclamation, they will be given light and life.
If you can hear and understand what God is saying through His Word, others will too.
You will be able to read well if you prepare for your Ministry through prayer and reflection.
SOME TIPS FOR READERS
ABOUT THE READINGS
There is a three yearly cycle of readings – year A,B and C.
The year ends on the last Sunday before Advent.
Before Mass, check that the lectionary is open at the right page : the number of the Sunday (eg 27th) and the year (A,B or C). This will ensure that what you read will be the same as the Mass book being used by the congregation.
If you do not have a Missal then borrow a Mass book so that you can go through the readings at home and check the pronunciation of any unfamiliar words.
Don’t worry too much about proper names - there is no one around from that time to correct you.
The trick is to be consistent and appear confident that your pronunciation is the correct one.
PREPARE THE READINGS
Read the passages carefully by yourself for meaning.
What is the context, the style of writing (history, story, poetry, reprimand, encouraging) ?
MAKE CONTACT WITH YOUR LISTENERS
Look up for a moment before you begin to read; remember your Ministry is for the good of others.
READ SLOWLY ENOUGH ....
... for people to take in the message - don't rush.
READ LOUDLY ENOUGH ....
... for them to hear comfortably and with enough meaning to respect the style of the text.
AT THE END OF THE READINGS, PAUSE....
.. for a moment of silent prayer before looking up and saying “This is the Word of the Lord.”
ABOUT THE GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
You should announce this as “the Gospel Acclamation” or “Let us stand to greet the Gospel.”
You should read the acclamation and the congregation will join in.
BIDDING PRAYERS
ABOUT THE BIDDING PRAYERS
Whilst you are checking the readings before Mass, it is recommended that you read through the Bidding Prayers, which will be on a sheet of paper on the lectern.
The formula for the biddings is an intention, not a prayer - in other words, giving people an intention to pray about.
Therefore, it is important to PAUSE after each intention has been announced to give people time to understand the intention, to identify with it and to pray in silence about it before you invite their response with words such as “Lord hear us.”
After the bidding prayers have been concluded, you need to start the “Hail Mary” - the congregation will join in.
Stay at the lectern during the pause for silent prayer so as not to disturb the silence.
And remember, don't rush.
HOW DO I BECOME A READER?
If you wish to become a reader at St Mary Magdalen's or St Teresa's, please contact :
ANNE McKILLOP by telephoning 01772 745669.
READERS SCHEDULE - 2010
St Mary Magdalen's
| Weekend of : | Saturday 7.15pm |
Sunday 10.30am |
| 3 January | Mrs M Wright (6pm) | Miss L Jones |
| 10 January | Mr E Ferns (6pm) | Mr W Dobson |
| 17 January | Mrs M Woods | Mr F Roberts |
| 24 January | Miss J Brown | Mr T McKeogh |
| 31 January | Mrs T Harrison | Mr T O'Brien |
| 7 February | Mrs C Patterson | Mr J Harris |
| 14 February | Mrs M Wright | Mrs B Mukasa |
| 21 February | Mrs M Woods | Major P Kenyon |
| 28 February | Mr E Ferns | Mrs J Briscoe |
| 7 March | Miss J Brown | Miss L Jones |
| 14 March | Mrs T Harrison | Mr W Dobson |
| 21 March | Mrs C Patterson | Mr F Roberts |
| 28 March | Mrs M Wright | Mr T McKeogh |
| 4 April | Mr E Ferns | Mr J Harris |
| 11 April | Mrs M Woods | Mrs B Mukasa |
| 18 April | Miss J Brown | Major P Kenyon |
| 25 April | Mrs T Harrison | Mrs J Briscoe |
| 2 May | Mrs C Patterson | Miss L Jones |
| 9 May | Mrs M Wright | Mr W Dobson |
| 16 May | Mrs M Woods | Mr F Roberts |
| 23 May | Mr E Ferns | Mr T McKeogh |
| 30 May | Miss J Brown | Mr T O'Brien |
| 6 June | Mrs T Harrison | Mr J Harris |
| 13 June | Mrs C Patterson | Mrs B Mukasa |
| 20 June | Mrs M Wright | Major P Kenyon |
| 27 June | Mr E Ferns | Mrs J Briscoe |
READERS SCHEDULE - 2010
St Teresa's
| Weekend of : | Saturday 6.00pm |
Sunday 9.10am |
Sunday 5.00pm |
| 3 January | Miss H Price (7.15pm) | Mr C Hill | Mr G McCrave |
| 10 January | Mr S Wright (7.15pm) | Mr J Baldwin | Mr R Wilson |
| 17 January | Miss K Reid | Mr J Russell | Mrs B Martin |
| 24 January | Mr J Todhunter | Mr J Topping | Mrs C McDonnell |
| 31 January | Mrs F Hart | Mr L Ridehalgh | Mrs B Martin |
| 7 February | Mr A Culshaw | Mr J Sargent | Mr B Donohoe |
| 14 February | Mr J Crowley | Mr C Hasnip | Mr J O'Donnell |
| 21 February | Mr P Dangerfield | Mrs A McKillop | Mr A Mather |
| 28 February | Mr M Perry | Mr S Edwards | Mr K Dennis |
| 7 March | Miss H Price | Mr C Hill | Mr G McCrave |
| 14 March | Mr S Wright | Mr J Baldwin | Mr R Wilson |
| 21 March | Miss K Reid | Mr J Russell | Mrs B Martin |
| 28 March | Mr J Todhunter | Mr J Topping | Mrs C McDonnell |
| 4 April | Mr A Culshaw | Mr J Sargent | Mr B Donohoe |
| 11 April | Mr J Crowley | Mr C Hasnip | Mr J O'Donnell |
| 18 April | Mr P Dangerfield | Mrs A McKillop | Mr A Mather |
| 25 April | Mr M Perry | Mr S Edwards | Mr K Dennis |
| 2 May | Miss H Price | Mr C Hill | Mr G McCrave |
| 9 May | Mr S Wright | Mr J Baldwin | Mr R Wilson |
| 16 May | Miss K Reid | Mr J Russell | Mrs B Martin |
| 23 May | Mr J Todhunter | Mr J Topping | Mrs C McDonnell |
| 30 May | Mrs F Hart | Mr L Ridehalgh | Mrs B Martin |
| 6 June | Mr A Culshaw | Mr J Sargent | Mr B Donohoe |
| 13 June | Mr J Crowley | Mr C Hasnip | Mr J O'Donnell |
| 20 June | Mr P Dangerfield | Mrs A McKillop | Mr A Mather |
| 27 June | Mr M Perry | Mr S Edwards | Mr K Dennis |
The owner of this page is Anne McKillop
