The church has always venerated the divine Scriptures just as she venerates the body of the Lord, since from the table of both the word of God and the body of Christ she unceasingly receives and offers to the faithful the bread of life, especially in the sacred liturgy. Dei Verbum, 21

From this we gather that in the celebration of Mass, there are two tables, the table of the Word and the table of the Lord’s Body and Blood.

Because of this, we cannot underestimate the significance of the ministry of the Lector as they proclaim the Living Word to God’s people each week. A Lector must believe and understand that they are performing a real ministry of presence and communion. Seeking to understand more fully that the Lord is active and present to the assembly through their proclamation, that the Lord longs to speak and be heard in the biblical word they enunciate. It is a word for this assembly, here and now, and each of its members is called to hear and respond to that word.

Beyond the skills common to public speaking, a Lector must be willing to engage with the Sunday readings throughout the course of the week, and to seek out personal transformation in that time of preparation.

Lectors will be trained in the practical aspects of their ministry, and also supplied with resources to help prepare to proclaim the Word with information about the scriptural texts, help with pronunciation challenges, and some questions to guide their meditation on the Word throughout the week. As with other areas of liturgical ministry, you will be added to a rotated schedule which fits with your family’s preferred Liturgy attendance time.

If you feel called to serve our community as a Lector, please contact Jane Wolfinbarger or Marion Stordahl.