If you are interested in serving as a Lector, please inquire with one of the Lectors after Mass, and contact Angela Atwater (860) 872-3349
What qualifications do I need in order to serve as Lector?
Be a Baptized, Confirmed Catholic.
Be a registered parishioner.
Have a strong desire to competently proclaim the Word.
Complete the Lector Training Course.
Undergo the Lector Mentoring Program.
Be recommended to and selected by the Lector Leadership.
Be commissioned by the Pastor to the Lector Ministry.
Be committed to serving for at least one year.
"When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ, present in his word, proclaims the Gospel. Therefore, the readings from the Word of God are to be listened to reverently by everyone, for they are an element of the greatest importance in the Liturgy. Although in the readings from Sacred Scripture the Word of God is addressed to all people of whatever era and is understandable to them, a fuller understanding and a greater efficaciousness of the word is nevertheless fostered by a living commentary on the word, that is, by the Homily, as part of the liturgical action." (General Instruction of the Roman Missal [GIRM], no. 29)
The lector assists at Mass by proclaiming the first and second scripture readings, and the Responsorial Psalm when not sung. Reading from the Word of God is central to the Catholic Liturgy, whether it be during Sunday or weekday Mass, during weddings, funerals or other occasions.
By prayerful preparation, studying the scriptural readings beforehand, the Lector can effectively communicate God’s grace and love to everyone in the church. Later in the Mass at the General Intercessions, the lector leads the congregation as together they present their needs and the needs of others to the Lord.