THE MINISTRY OF READER
"Let the Reader by aware of the Office he/she has
taken and make every effort and employ every suitable means to
acquire that increasingly warm living love and knowledge of
Scripture that will make he/she a more perfect disciple of the
Lord." (Paul VI)
In these words Pope Paul underlined the importance
of this Ministry in the Liturgy of the Church. This love and
knowledge should be enhanced by a natural speaking ability and a
desire to find ways in which the scriptures may be better
proclaimed. In Holy Spirit Parish we are fortunate to have many
who have undertaken this responsibility.
We not only proclaim the readings on Sundays and
Holy Days, we also welcome the congregation to Mass in our role as
Commentator and pray on their behalf as we read the Prayers of the
Faithful. We are the Readers most parishioners see but there are
also those who only read at weekday Masses, at Funeral masses and
at other special celebrations of the Mass. This year readers have
also been invited to participate in Baptisms taking place outside
Sunday Mass.
Training Workshops are provided on an ongoing basis
for new and experienced readers. A special "mentor" program has
been established to encourage young parishioners (Grade 9 and Up)
to join the Ministry.
From a handful of Readers when Mass was said in the
gym at St. Benedict School we have grown to more than two hundred.
