Each of us is called to our faith in different ways just as each of us is called to give to our parishes in different ministries. The lector ministry calls to those passionate about the proclamation of the Word.

When we bring the living Word of God to the assembly, we should do it in hope of helping our fellow parishioners experience the proclaimed Word as a powerful prayer and celebration. To do this, our lector ministers should be skilled at public speaking, have knowledge of the principles of liturgy, and understand and love the scriptures. In addition, all potential lectors must be:

» Confirmed Catholics who attend church on a regular basis.
» Registered parishioners of St. James Parish.
» If married, married in the church
» Taking on only one form of ministry during any particular Mass

For those interested in this very important ministry, please see “requirements”.

And remember…
“When this word is proclaimed in the Church and put into living practice, it enlightens the faithful through the working of the Holy Spirit and draws them into the entire mystery of the Lord as a reality to be lived” (Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass #47).

Sincerely,

Samantha Pierce 310.371.1932
and Denise Sur 310.418.5441
Co-Directors, Lector Ministry

To be a Lector at Saint James Church, you must:

• Be skilled at public speaking, have knowledge of the principles of liturgy, and understand and love the scriptures
• Be a confirmed Catholic who attends church (Saint James) on a regular basis
• Be a registered parishioner of St. James Parish
• If married, be married in the Church
• Taking on only one form of ministry during any particular Mass
• Complete the 3 hour “Virtus – Safeguard the Children” class (valid for 4 years); and have a certificate of completion on file at the St. James Parish Office. After which a recertification is required prior to an expiration of the original certificate
• Complete an initial lector training session and refresher courses as required or recommended by the Archdiocese once per year.

Safe Environment Training for Adults

Concurrent with beginning any activity in a parish or parish school, all parish and school volunteers, teachers, staff or other paid personnel who work in any capacity with or around children, the elderly or special needs persons, will be required to participate in the VIRTUS program or an equivalent safe environment training program approved by the Archdiocese. This includes parish/parish school staff and volunteers including principals, teachers, Directors of Religious Education, secretaries, catechists, parent helpers, ushers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, lectors, etc. The goal is to have all adults learn how to help stop child sexual abuse before it happens. Most parishes have persons who have been trained as VIRTUS facilitators. If a parish does not have a VIRTUS facilitator, the parish should contact the Archdiocesan Office of Safeguard the Children for information on training.

The VIRTUS training was introduced by the Archdiocese in early 2004. More than 40,000 persons had been trained as of March 1, 2006. Parishes are encouraged to invite public school, law enforcement, social service and othe religious groups in their communities to participate in the local parish or school training programs in order to share fully in the Archdiocese’s commitment to providing safe environments for all children. Parishes should keep a copy of the certificates of completion of VIRTUS on file for each person who has been trained. Questions concerning VIRTUS can be addressed to Joan Vienna, Coordinator, Office of Safeguard the Children at 213 637 7227.

Potential Lectors Under the age of 18.
The “Teaching Touching Safety” safeguard training or it’s equilivant is mandated for each (Arch)Diocese throughout the United States by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for minors participating in any ministry at any parish. It is the similar to the VIRTUS safeguard training for adults in that it’s purpose is to make individuals (minors) aware of the abuse issue and warning signs to watch for.

Often, ministers (lectors, eucharistic ministers, etc.) don’t understand why they are required to “go through all this stuff”. Afteralll, the vast majority of ministers have no direct connection with minors, however, maybe only a casual one. A simple answer is that all of us are mandated by our very faith and religious practice to safeguard the innocent. Incidently, this goes for the elderly as well.

When you answer the call to be a minister of the word, you enter a deeper relationship with God revealed in sacred scripture. You take upon yourself the awesome duty and privilege of bringing the printed word to life, making it flesh. Your proclamation enables God’s word to achieve the purpose for which it was sent. In short, you become a prophet, one who speaks for God.

Women and men who take on the ministry of reader are presumed to be of good faith, eager to serve their fellow Christians, and willing to engage in ongoing formation for effective service. The mere wish or willingness to serve as a reader does not qualify one for ministry. It requires certain native abilities that some do not have, such as an adequate vocal instrument. It also requires confidence, maturity, poise, and sensitivity to diversity in one’s audience. Like all ministries in the church, liturgical proclamation of the word is an awesome responsibility to which one is called and into which one is formed. Our Los Angeles Archdiocese Office of worship has a comprehensive document that every Lector must read. Please click Lector Guidelines for the document that is mandatory reading for all Lectors.

The week of the reading, lectors are encouraged to visit this resource page and use the tools here to help you prepare for an effective and passionate delivery of the word. Please click Lector Preparation and review LECTOR PREPARATION a step by step process of the what of your role in the mass. Please review this section regularly before lectoring as all changes particularly before a Special Mass will be reflected here.

Click here to find your reading within easy reach. It is recommend that Lectors use this easily accessible site to review the readings to prepare during the week.

Liturgical Calendar with daily Readings, Feasts and more… click here

Funeral Reading please click here.

Wishing you Godspeed in your Lector related endeavors.