"The Lord has given me a well-trained tongue, that I may know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them."
The public reading of the Sacred Scriptures has consistently characterized Christian worship and is one of the oldest and most important aspects of the liturgy having its pre-Christian roots in the Jewish synagogue. The role of a Minister of the Word is to make the Liturgy of the Word as meaningful as possible for the assembled congregation. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us that when the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ, present in his own word, proclaims the Gospel. During the liturgy, the reader is fulfilling a mission to his or her fellow community members. It is a sacred duty that involves a sharing of one's own faith.
It is therefore a great privilege to read the sacred scriptures at Mass. It is also a personally enriching, fulfilling, and spiritual experience. If you have been given the gift of a good voice (which can be trained to sound better) and a good sense of reading aloud (which can be trained to interpret better) you are equipped for the Ministry of the Word.
At present, there is a panel of 40 parishioners who are Ministers of the Word in St. Mary’s Parish. More would be welcome. The commitment involves preparing for and reading the sacred scriptures at the Mass each Sunday (or Saturday vigil) for one month every three months. The quarterly schedule is drawn up on the basis of the Mass time(s) preferred by each Minister of the Word. (If a Minister of the Word is available to read at a week-day Mass that is an added bonus). An objective of the Ministry is to extend its appreciation of this most vital of ministries from a mechanical process of reading God's word to one of deep reflection, careful preparation, and powerful, an expressive proclamation of Gods' word. Periodic opportunities are therefore provided to Lectors to improve the quality of their preparation and reading of God's Word.
If you feel that you might be interested and that you may have the gifts needed to take part in this important ministry please contact the schedule coordinator or the Parish Office and you will be contacted as soon as possible.
For more information, contact:
Michael Grant
Schedule coordinator
Phone: 01-6281166
Email: [email protected]