Definition: Lector a person commissioned to proclaim Holy Scriptures in church services;someone personally and prayerfully involved in proclaiming the Word of God with the purpose of celebrating and refreshing the faith of the assembly;

Definition: Lector one who combines strong personal faith, good communication skills and spiritual inspiration to cause the assembly to listen to what is being proclaimed;a church minister who brings life and flesh to the Word of God .

He called and you answered, Here I am, Lord!

You realized _ The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.

You would like to fall more deeply in love with God and His Word in Scripture

Your parish needs you to take on a more active role in the church community

Why are you here?

You were a lector at your former parish and would like to continue serving

You believe you can do a better job than those youve already seen and heard

One of the lectors has inspired you to want to do the same thing they do

Youve got this nagging feeling in your gut that youve got to.Why are you here?

Why are you here?

Inspired by the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) _ God blessed you with a good speaking voice _ to whom much is given much is expected

Christ is present in His Word since it is He Himself who speaks when the Holy Scriptures are read in the Church.

From Second Vatican Council In The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #7

Three (3) areas in preparing to be more effective proclaimers of the Scriptures:

Sensitivity to the personal meaning and significance of the specific Scriptural passage being proclaimed. How? By in-depth knowledge/understanding of the Scriptures, on-going Bible reflection, religious education, etc.

2nd area in preparing to be more effective proclaimers of the Scriptures:

Conviction that God is using the lectors skills, knowledge and example of Christian living to reach others who most need to hear Gods Word at the moment it is proclaimed.

3rd area in preparing to be more effective proclaimers of the Scriptures:

Use of proclamation skills/techniques to bring life to the Word of God _ emotional expression, changing pitch, pausing, pacing & energy, distinguishing between statements and questions, empathy, eye contact, etc.

Bringing Gods Word to Life

Bringing Gods Word to LifeText WorkVoice WorkEye Contact / PostureInflectionIntentionEmotion

Text Work: StyleNarrative: Change inflection to differentiate speakersDidactic (ex. St. Pauls writings)Exhortatory (needs much more energy to manifest types of emotion) ~ Strong, heightened language, often with exclamation points in the translation; ~ Direct address to the people or to God.

Text Work: Literary DevicesParallel contructionParadoxHebrew (thought) rhyme

Text Work: Take time to reflect the meaning of what you are readingWhat is the authors intent?

What are the circumstances surrounding the situation described or inferred in the passage?

Communicate the meaning of the reading

Context: Scriptural, Liturgical, Lectionary

Voice WorkVolume Blowing them away with loud volume is not the answer nor is hoping theyll listen by speaking softly

~ Vocal energy~ Link to eye contact~ Vary soft and loud AS NEEDED

Voice WorkTempo/Pacing Speaking too quickly deprives the listeners of valuable time to process the meaning of the words/phrases

Voice WorkRhythm /Stressing for meaning

Pausing processing moments in order to add a dimension to the meaning of what is being said.

Eye Contact / PostureEye Contact Posture

InflectionUse all parts of your voice range to convey emotion

Avoid the dying inflection

Use commas as up arrows

IntentionWhat is the authors intent?

What are the circumstances surrounding the situation described or inferred in the passage?

What is the authors tone? Is it argumentative? Advising? Angry? Joyful? Threatening?

EmotionThe use of emotion MUST NOT be confused with DRAMATICS

Delivery must be a natural expression from the heart with an even modulated voice but not monotone nor melodramatic

PERMISSION GRANTEDPlease attend Holy Mass and pray the Holy Rosary before you use these slides for the Holy Intentions of our beloved Pope and for world peace. Thank you and God bless us all. Thank youKathy rookiekay@hotmail.com