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THE LECTORS MINISTRY: Bringing Alive the Word and Treasures of the Bible
As Catholics, we are called to celebrate the Mass each Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. The Holy Mass has many important parts, and one of those is the readings — for as stated in the second chapter of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, “In the readings, the table of God’s Word is spread before the faithful, and the treasures of the Bible are opened to them” (57).
Since the readings are an important part of the Mass, the person proclaiming them has an essential task. Tricia Patrick has been a lector for seven years. Tricia studied broadcasting in college and had a knack for public speaking. Before she became a lector, Tricia heard a priest speak about the decline in vocations to religious life. She realized that serving as a lector was one way she could help. Having also noticed that the most active parishioners were doing the majority of the work, she decided to use her talents to get involved. She’s so glad she did.
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“I guess I just felt something stirring me like God was calling me,” she says. “I decided maybe I need to do something.”
When serving during Mass, Tricia tries to present the readings so that the congregation stays engaged and wants to learn more about the passages. Part of that is practicing several times before Mass and reading the rest of the passage to understand the context. She has enjoyed having the opportunity to serve as a lector at special Masses like Palm Sunday and Easter Vigil.
“This is one ministry that gives you the opportunity to tell God’s story,” Tricia says. “It definitely brings you closer to God. It’s brought on a whole new Mass experience for me.”
Tricia believes that at each Mass, there are people who need to hear a reading at that exact time in their life. Her prayer is that she delivers it well in order to stir that emotion from people. She wants to keep people engaged in the Mass as best she can.
“I want to make sure I am accurately portraying the words as the writer intended,” Tricia says.
Feeling blessed to be part of the Our Lady of Lourdes community, Tricia is inspired by parishioners who are involved in the many ministries. She hopes she sets an example for her four sons to get involved. She also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and as a member of the Altar Guild. She encourages other people to get involved, so that they may be blessed like she has been.
