Training and Inspirational Resources for Lectors and Public Scripture Readers

Called by God or Self?

02/04/2019

There are many things we can do to serve God. Lots of good things, but not necessarily the one good thing God wants us to focus on. It happens in parishes all the time. We're asked to do this and that. We run from one ministry to the next. Tuesday evening here, Sunday afternoon there, etc, etc. And who's laughing at us but Satan! It's his "Plan B" for us. If he can't get us to remain distant from God by actually sinning, he'll keep us busy doing too many different things so we never have time

Are You in a Ministry or a Job?

01/13/2019

The importance we give to our church work depends not just on our abilities and talents for it, but also our attitude toward it. The following comparison has been around for years. Whoever originally penned it is unknown, but it was recently a bulletin insert in my parish, and I couldn't help to pass it on... If you are doing it because no one else will, it's a job. If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a ministry. If you are doing it just well enough to get by, it's a job. If you

Wake-up Call for Old-Time Lectors

08/18/2018

So you’ve been a lector for 25 years? Or one year 25 times? At my church’s annual lector workshop, about eighty-percent of our lectors always show up. Another ten-percent usually have valid reasons for not coming, and the remaining ten-percent are either not committed or just feel they’re experienced enough to not need it. But one of the huge benefits of regular lector meetings besides the training content is the fellowship that's kindled among everyone. In my church, our lectors are becoming

The Seven Capital Sins (of a Lector)

08/12/2018

Those “deadly seven” sins of Sloth, Envy, Gluttony, Pride, Lust, Anger and Greed can find their way into our lector ministry as easily as other parts of our lives. Though not all neatly listed together anywhere in Scripture, they are referred to throughout God’s book. Whoever originally penned them is not certain, but it's believed that artists and philosophers of the 14th century ingrained them into the Christian consciousness. They are not direct violations against God’s Commandments, but

Exalted, But Not Superior

05/19/2018

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted: Matthew 23:12 A few years back at a lector coordinators' meeting, the priest leading it began his introductory remarks saying, "The Ministry of Lector is the most exalted lay ministry in the church... I mean, you could train a monkey to be a Eucharistic minister." We've all heard irresponsible remarks from priests and deacons, but this was over the top. There's no doubt that it's an honored and privileged

To Proclaim from Memory or Not

05/13/2018

"Isn't that wonderful," I'll occasionally hear from parishioners who marvel over lectors who recite their readings from memory, which makes me wonder if they remembered anything about the reading. When you practice a reading enough, you'll often have it down to memory, or at least close. But to then deliver it from memory is usually going a step too far. The biggest problem with reading from memory is that you can shock people into a "Wow, he's reciting from memory" reaction and distract them

Lector Discernment: Not Just for Newbies

04/04/2018

Discernment should not only be exercised with new lectors entering the ministry, but with veterans as well. The enthusiasm we may initially feel about proclaiming God's word may die down over time, we may lose our "salt," get attracted to other ministries, feel burned out or need a re-check of our basic proclamation skills; just to name a few reasons why lector discernment should be continuous and life-long. Discernment in any ministry means being honest with ourselves and God about why we

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Lector Resources

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