Lectors:  Proclaim the Word at weekend Masses and Holy Days.

The Lector Ministry at St. Raphael's is comprised of 46 individuals who have a deep appreciation of scripture, understand the great importance of it in our liturgies and enjoy proclaiming the Word of the Lord to their spiritual brothers and sisters in the parish Community of St. Raphael.

Usually 2 orientation sessions are held each year for interested new Readers. Qualities we look for in a Reader are:

Good public speaking abilities --- a good Lector needs voice LSD (be loud, slow and distinct)
An appreciation and love of scripture
Ability to serve at scheduled masses or arrange for a substitute if unable to fulfill an assignment
At least 14 years old
We especially welcome family Lector teams (husband-wife, parent-child, brother-sister, etc). Lectors are usually scheduled to read 2-4 times within a several month schedule. We try to honor preferences for "favorite" mass, but Lectors should be flexible in serving when needed. If they have a schedule conflict, Readers are instructed to call others on the roster to swap or sub. No-shows are not acceptable. Usually two lectors are scheduled for each mass. They share the reading and announcement duties.

Contact Mary Ann Neuman, Lector Ministry Coordinator, at 763-535-3865 if you would like more information about the Lector group.

A LECTOR'S REFLECTION

Ours is a share in the work of the Spirit who opens our hearts to God's holy word. Ours is the task of telling our family story, the story of salvation. Ours is to proclaim the true and saving work of God.

We are messengers of God's love for us. Our task is to proclaim that word, which challenges, confronts and captures our hearts. We proclaim a word that heals and consoles. Ours is to offer the story of the "great things the Lord has done for us," that we might turn to the table of the Eucharist with good cause to give thanks and praise.

Let us prepare the word which is ours to speak: study the scriptures, understand the passage, let it dwell deep within us. Let us come to our work in awesome reverence of the word we proclaim: it is the Word of the Lord. Let us handle the book of the Lord's word with great care: it is a tabernacle of the Lord's presence

Anyone can read the scriptures in public, only the believer can proclaim them. Approach the table of the Lord's word as you would the Lord himself: with reverence and awe.

Let our eyes fall often on the faces of the assembly: they are the body of the Lord whose word we proclaim. Let the Lord's peace settle in our hearts, that our voices may be clear and steady. Let our voices echo the sound of the word, with conviction, with gentleness, with strength and with wonder. Let us remember that the story we tell is filled with a drama we need not supply, but must always convey in our presentation.

Like the prophets, we will sometimes proclaim what no one wants to hear: remember always our own need to hear the hard saying and never imagine that our ministry places us above what we proclaim. Let no minister of the word think that there is nothing left to learn: always strive to understand the scripture, practice cannot help but open the mind and heart.

When your brothers and sisters praise and thank you for your work, take delight in the word they have heard and rejoice in the work the Lord has accomplished through you. Be faithful in the work you do, for through it the Lord saves his people.