Ministers of the Church

Saint Lawrence Catholic Church

Ministers of the Church

“The lay Christian faithful called to give assistance at liturgical celebrations should be well instructed and must be those whose Christian life, morals and fidelity to the Church’s Magisterium recommend them. It is fitting that such a one should have received a liturgical formation in accordance with his or her age, condition, state of life, and religious culture. No one should be selected whose designation could cause consternation for the faithful.” Instruction of the Eucharist, p. 27.

Lectors

The ministry of lector calls for a person to grow in a warm and loving knowledge of Scripture, the living Word of God.

Remember God uses us where we are at in life with the special gifts that He has given us. He used Moses who seemed to have had a stuttering problem. He used Jeremiah who seemed to be the most reluctant prophet in the Old Testament. Peter was His spokesperson as the first pope yet he spoke many times without thinking about what he was saying. Finally, Paul is known for speaking his mind in reference to God and His interaction with mankind.

A monthly ministry list is published. Copies are available in the foyer or found on the parish website at Please take a look for when you are scheduled. If you are unable to fulfill your commitment, you are asked to find a substitute. You may want to trade with someone scheduled either the week prior or after you. If you are unable to find a substitute, please contact the parish office at 432-9122.

Preparation:

Practice: Being a lector is similar to the discipline of oral interpretation.

“Oral interpretation is the art of communicating to an audience a work of literary art in its intellect, emotional and aesthetic entirety.” Charlotte Lee

It is a skill of communication to an audience.

The focus is outgoing. What is being proclaimed is towards those who are listening and the lector is called to become one with them.

The lector needs to understand what he or she is communicating to the congregation. Without understanding, the lector projects just words. With understanding, he or she will proclaim the message of God.

The lector needs to:

Intellectually grasp what is being proclaimed.

Understand the emotional tone of the reading.

Interpret the aesthetic dimension of the scripture reading.

Read the scripture passage.

The lector needs to know what the scripture passage is. You can do this by way of the Church’s outline (Cycle A, B or C for Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation or Year 1 or 2 for the weeks of the liturgical year). The scripture passage for any specific liturgy can be found at:

The lector is called to pray with the scripture. What does it say to his or her heart?

Understand what you are reading:

Ask yourself:

Do I know all these words, how to pronounce them, and what they mean?

Do I really understand what I am reading?

If you cannot answer “yes” to either question, then I invite you to take some additional time to study the scripture passage that you are going to proclaim. It takes only a short amount of time but it will have a tremendous impact on your abilities to deliver the passage as intended.

Pronunciation:

Many of the names of individuals, groups, or places in scripture are difficult to pronounce. If you are having difficulty, look the words up in either a dictionary or a pronunciation guide. The above website from USCCB offers audio readings so you can hear the proper pronunciation of the words. However, if the word or words get you tongue-tied, just pronounce the word the best you can and continue. Do not draw attention to it.

Literary Form:

As you are preparing the scripture passage, pay attention to the literary form because that will assist you in how you will read it; for we have a different way of presenting information if we are reading a letter versus reciting a poem.

Practice reading out loud:

Reading out loud helps you deal with nervousness. One way to overcome nervousness is to strengthen your ability to concentrate on something or someone. When standing before the congregation, concentrate on speaking to one person. It helps reduce the nervousness of having so many eyes on you.

Voice --- quality and volume. Practice before you are to read to ensure the microphone is where it is supposed to be and practice using the voice that you would normally use.

Diction. Avoid using fillers; such as, “uh” “er” or “ah”.

Pace. There is no hurry to get through the readings. Let yourself be with the words and proclaim them accordingly. Use a natural pace --- neither too fast nortoo slow. It truly helps those who are listening to understand what you are saying.

Eye contact. It is important to make some eye contact with those in the congregation. It can be difficult, but to make contact with a few of the members in the congregation before, during and after the readings helps individuals to personalize the message for themselves.

At Mass:

Appearance. Our appearance is important. We need to dress modestly. It is not a fashion show nor is it time to wear that which we wear to lounge around the house on Friday night. Our dress needs to be appropriate for the celebration of the Eucharist and not be a distraction for anyone. Men and women should wear clothing that is neither revealing noranything that may distract the congregation. Avoid wearing short skirts, sweat suits, jeans, jogging suits, t-shirts or sweat shirts with slogans, pictures, etc.

The Diocese of Sioux Falls guidelines for proper attire are:

-Men should wear a collared shirt and dress slacks and dress shoes. Coat and tie are encouraged.

-Women should wear apparel that is modest in nature and covers the shoulders.

Arrive 15 minutes before mass to ensure that you have the correct readings and to prepare yourself spiritually to lead others in prayer. Please wear the lector cross found in the ministry’s sacristy. The second reader needs to be prepared to read the prayers of the faithful.

Check with the music ministry prior to mass in reference to the responsorial psalm and the Gospel acclamation to see if they will be singing them or not.

Please be seated about 5 minutes prior to the start of mass. Since we are all called to fully participate in the liturgies, we should each add our voices to the singing of the procession hymns.

Posture: when sitting in the sanctuary, please avoid crossing legs or other distractive movements.

Approaching the ambo/lectern. As you approach the ambo/lectern, you should make reverence to the altar, NOT the tabernacle. This could be in the form of a slight bow towards the altar prior to stepping behind the ambo.

Helpful hints:

-Adjust the microphone before speaking. The microphone is directional and needs to be at the level of the speaker’s mouth.

-Avoid saying, “Let us now welcome our celebrant, …..”

-Avoid saying, “The first reading/second reading is…” rather begin with “A reading from the book of….”

-Avoid hand and arm gesture when waiting for a response.

-Please pause at the end of the reading, just before reciting, “The Word of the Lord.”

Remember to bow after leaving the sanctuary and during the Creed.

During the praying of the “Our Father,” the proper posture for the laity is to have their hands together. Only the priests and bishops are to stand with their hands extended during the praying of the “Our Father.” Some have encouraged the laity to do likewise but this posture has never been approved by Rome.

Eucharistic Minister or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

“When the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests, or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present, ‘the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., formally instituted acolytes or even some of the faithful who have been commissioned according to the prescribed rite. In case of necessity, the priest may also commission suitable members of the faithful for the occasion.’ Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should receive sufficient spiritual, theological, and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge and reverence. When recourse is had to extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, especially in the distribution of Holy Communion under both kinds, their number should not be increased beyond what is required for the orderly and reverent distribution of the Body and Blood of the Lord. In all matters, such extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should follow the guidance of the diocesan bishop.” (Norms… USCCB)

Bishop Paul Swain, Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, states that: “The desire and dedication of those who volunteer to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, including assisting in the purification of Vessels, is to be commended and sincerely appreciated.” Those who desire to be commissioned Extraordinary Ministers must be commissioned by the Bishop who, as chief liturgist of the diocese, is responsible for choosing and designating individuals as special ministers of the Eucharist. For a person to be eligible to be commissioned, he/she must:

be at least a junior in high school
have received the Sacrament of Confirmation
is a practicing Catholic, if married be in a valid marriage
know and live the ecclesial and social meaning of the Eucharist so as to not bring scandal to the Church
and respect the Eucharist

Upon completion of parish instruction as an Extraordinary Minister and the names have been submitted to the Bishop, the Bishop will authorize these individuals to be commissioned as special ministers of the Holy Eucharist for a period of three (3) years. The commissioning will occur after receipt of certificate from the Bishop.

We need to be a part of the liturgy by answering the prayers, singing with the congregation and participating in the homily with our reflection and feedback at the appropriate times. The Mass is not our private time alone with God. It is our time of worship within the Body of Christ.

Preparation

Spiritually – one who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Eucharist without sacramental confession unless a grave reason is present; in this case the person should make an act of perfect contrition and seek sacramental confession as soon as possible.

Prayer – If you are scheduled to be a Eucharistic minister, you are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes before mass time to prepare yourself to enter into this sacred ministry.

Appearance - “All ministers of Holy Communion should show the greatest reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread or wine.” (Norms…, USCCB)

Our appearance is important. We need to dress in moderation. It is not a fashion show nor is it time to wear that which we wear to lounge around the house on Friday night. Our dress needs to be appropriate for the celebration of the Eucharist and not be a distraction for anyone. Men and women should wear clothing that is not revealing or anything that may distract the congregation. Avoid wearing short skirts, sweat suits, jeans, jogging suits, t-shirts or sweat shirts with slogans, pictures, etc.

The Diocese of Sioux Falls guidelines for proper attire are:

-Men should wear a collared shirt and dress slacks and dress shoes. Coat and tie are encouraged.

-Women should wear apparel that is modest in nature and covers the shoulders.

Please ensure that you wash your hands prior to mass. If you are sick, please ask someone to replace you as the Eucharistic Minister for we do not want to be the source of any illness.

Since we are all called to fully participate in the liturgies, we should each add our voices to the singing of the procession hymns. Eucharistic ministers follow the lectors in the procession.

Remember to bow during the profession of the Creed.

Approaching the Altar. All Eucharistic Ministers will approach the altar during the singing of Lamb of Godthrough the sacristy and remain until the celebrant has consumed the Holy Eucharist. Remember that you remain in the solemnity of the Mass so please avoid all unnecessary conversation in the sacristy. This is the time for each Eucharistic Minister to prepare themselves for the ministry they are about to enter into. It is not the time to “catch up” with the latest news of our families and friends. If a deacon is present, he will retrieve the ciborium from the tabernacle. If a deacon is not present, the priest will retrieve the ciborium from the tabernacle.

After the priests and deacons have received under both species, the Eucharistic Ministers will receive communion under both species and then the priest will hand a sacred vessel to each communion minister.

The chalice will not remain on the altar for communicants to self-communication nor may the chalice be passed from one communicant to another. There must always be a minister of the chalice.

Distribution of Holy Communion.

In the Diocese of Sioux Falls communion may be received on the tongue or in the hand. Communicants should show reverence by bowing their heads before receiving the Body of Christ and the Precious Blood. Normally, a person receives communion standing but they may also kneel.

If you are distributing the Body of Christ, you say: “The Body of Christ”. Even if you may know the individual, please do not use their name. Reason being is that we do not want ANYONE to feel excluded from the celebration, especially any visitor that may be with us.

The individual may receive the Body of Christ on either their tongue or in their hand.

If the Body of Christ is dropped, either immediately consume it or place it aside so that it can be properly disposed of after mass.

Special care should be taken to ensure the individual consumes the Body of Christ. If you see someone receive the Body of Christ in their hand and the individual does not consume it, please stop distributing the Eucharist and ask the individual to consume the host. If they do not, please request that the individual return the host to you and set it aside for proper disposal after mass. Please inform the priest afterwards.

If someone comes forward to receive a blessing indicated with crossed arms or finger before one’s lips, the Eucharistic Minister can extend their hand or place their hand upon the individual’s head or shoulder and say: “God bless you” or “May God’s blessings be upon you” but never a Trinitarian blessing or the sign of the Cross.

If you are distributing the Precious Blood, you say: “The Blood of Christ.” Again, if you know the individual, please do not use their name.

After each individual has received the Precious Blood, the Eucharistic Minister wipes both sides of the rim of the chalice. This action is a matter of both reverence and hygiene. For the same reason, the minister turns the chalice slightly after each communicant has received the Precious Blood.

If someone approaches the minister of the chalice with the intention of intinction (dipping the Eucharist into the Precious Blood), please politely cover the chalice with your hand or purificator and quietly inform the communicant that self-communication is not allowed.

If there is a spill of the Precious Blood, place the purificator (the white cloth which is used to wipe the cup) on top of the spill and let the priest or deacon know of the spill so that it is immediately cleaned up after services.

Before returning to the altar, the minister of the chalice may consume the remaining Precious Blood; however, if it is too much for the minister to consume, bring it back to the altar and place your purificator on top of the chalice. This will indicate that there remains Precious Blood in that chalice. The priest or deacon then will reverently consume all the Blood of Christ that remains.

After distribution of the Body of Christ or Precious Blood, return to the altar and place your sacred vessel upon the corporal on the altar. If the deacon is present, he will repose the ciborium to the tabernacle. If the deacon is not present, the priest will repose the ciborium to the tabernacle. Regardless, do not place the purificator in the chalice for we need to maintain reverence for any remnant of the Precious Blood in the chalice. Place the purificator next to the communion cup if all the Precious Blood has been consumed.

If you are at the altar when the Blessed Sacrament is being reposed in the tabernacle, please remain at the altar and offer a reverent bow when the deacon or priest genuflects. Afterwards, you may return to your seat.