Welcome to the Ministry of Lector homepage for Immaculate Conception Church in New Oxford.  Our parish is blessed with dedicated volunteers who assist in this important ministry.  

When the Word of God is proclaimed by the lector, it is God Himself speaking through them.  It is important for the lector to prepare the readings before hand.  Even if you are not scheduled, please prepare the readings anyway.  For starters, it will help you and anyone get more out of them if you read them beforehand, but also in the event the scheduled lector does not show. you are able and ready to step right in when necessary.

In the event you are unable to lector at the Mass you are assigned, please do your best to find a replacement.  We understand that family emergencies, illness, or weather may prevent someone from fullfilling their responsibilities.  These things will happen occassionaly, just do your best.  

There are very few parish guidelines when it comes to the Ministry of Lector.  

1)  Prepare before Mass (Read over the readings a day or two a head of time).
2)  Arrive at Church no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of Mass.
3)  When you proclaim the word of God be sure to be clear and project when necessary.

Sacred Silence between the text

It is important for us to foster a spirit of silent reflection.  Silence is an important part of the liturgy.  One of the opportunities to do this is between the proclamation of the Sacred Scriptures.  

Here is a suggestion to follow...

After the introduction...a reading from...(3 second pause before the start of the proclamation of the reading)

Before concluding...(3 second pause) before saying "the Word of the Lord."

Between the first reading and responsorial psalm and the responsorial psalm and the second reading (10 seconds).

Who is eligible to be a lector at Immaculate Conception Church?

Anyone in 8th grade on up!  If you are intertested in serving the parish as a lector, please fill out the registration form located on this page.