Lectors are members of the Church who proclaim the Word of God. They form an important Ministry of the Parish. In the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the Second Vatican Council declared that Christ “is present in his word since it is he himself who speaks when the Holy Scriptures are read in the Church”. The lectors are thus responsible to proclaim the Word of God and lead the congregation through the prayers of the faithful in line with Church instructions.
The Lectors Ministry of our Parish is headed by a General Coordinator and is supported by nine Group Coordinators. The General Coordinator holds overall responsibility for the Ministry and reports directly to the Parish Priest. The General Coordinator is also required to receive guidance and instructions from the Parish Priest and Parish Council and communicate these guidelines to all the members of the Ministry. Besides, the General Coordinator will discuss and finalize the monthly Liturgy after consulting with the Parish Priest and thereafter publish the monthly schedule.
The Group Coordinators are responsible for all the Lectors designated to read during the assigned Masses. They mentor each Lector and monitor their behaviour in the church and at the altar, and their dress code in particular. They also prepare monthly schedules for their respective groups.
Training and preparation are necessary for individuals wishing to be Lectors, as the proclamation of the Sacred Scriptures is quite different from other kinds of public speaking. Lectors not only need to be effective communicators, but they are also required to imbibe and express the spirit of the Liturgy.
If you wish to join the Lectors Ministry, please contact the Parish Office.
The Feast of St. Bede, the venerable Patron Saint of Lectors, is celebrated every year on 25th May with Thanksgiving Mass and a get-together.