Model Lectors / Commentators

[Dove1]

I’m retired from the workplace and have been with the commentators and lectors ministry for a few months.

I wonder if it’s a practice with ministries to have a Lector-of- the-Month or Commentator-of-the-Month thingy, just to keep things interesting, as an incentive, and to have “model lectors” for the newbies.

Do you have something similar? Is it even appropriate?

As a followup question, how do lectors and commentators in your chuch strive to improve or become better? Are there programs in place that encourage them to do so?

 

[Sirach2]

That would place a heavy burden on the Lector if the schedule was extended for anything beyond a week. People have busy lives. The need to find a substitute for one or more of their scheduled days might cause the Lectors to resign.

I belonged to a parish where the Lector was committed to serving at daily mass for one week only. It worked rather well.

The label “Lector of the month” is rather commercial for such a spiritual ministry. Kindly re-think this, friend.

 

[agnes_therese]

I’m retired from the workplace and have been with the commentators and lectors ministry for a few months.

I wonder if it’s a practice with ministries to have a Lector-of- the-Month or Commentator-of-the-Month thingy, just to keep things interesting, as an incentive, and to have “model lectors” for the newbies.

Do you have something similar? Is it even appropriate?

As a followup question, how do lectors and commentators in your chuch strive to improve or become better? Are there programs in place that encourage them to do so?

I’ve never heard of a “lector of the month” type award, and frankly, it doesn’t appeal to me. Makes it sound like some kind of competition.

As for your follow-up question – we have meetings once in a while, and sometimes our Deanery will have a training session. But mostly, the only “encouragement” we need to do our best is knowing that we are presenting the Word of God.

 

[robwar]

I am a lector and this sort of thing is a bad idea. There should not be any type of competition or levels for anyone that steps forward to serve in a number of capacities. There shouldn’t be lector, usher, altar server of the month. Either someone has the ability to do something or not. Newer lectors are sometimes affected by nerves and the answer to that is more opportunity to lector, not to have some sort of lector of the month things going on. The worship or pastoral director can manage someone if they are not doing well.

 

[TimothyH]

What is a commentator?

-Tim-

 

[Sirach2]

What is a commentator?

-Tim-

We used to have that ministry here many years ago, but since the OP lives in a different country, maybe they still use them. It is a person who makes announcements prior to mass. Our cantors now perform that duty, but I would not call them a “commentator.”

 

[dconklin]

While my daughter is a top-notch lector, I do not think it is proper to officially recognize them. What about the lector that is not so great, but is giving their all to a ministry they think is very important? Would they become discouraged if they think they are being judged? Church should never become a talent or popularity contest!

 

[Catholic1954]

I’m retired from the workplace and have been with the commentators and lectors ministry for a few months.

I wonder if it’s a practice with ministries to have a Lector-of- the-Month or Commentator-of-the-Month thingy, just to keep things interesting, as an incentive, and to have “model lectors” for the newbies.

Do you have something similar? Is it even appropriate?

As a followup question, how do lectors and commentators in your chuch strive to improve or become better? Are there programs in place that encourage them to do so?

A Lector (or Commentator) of the month program may encourage unnecessary competition and hard feelings between the Lectors and Commentators. A group activity might give every one a chance to get to know one another a little better. My diocese offers an intense 2 day program for new lectors; they even video tape you and then critique how well you do and how you can improve.

 

[TimothyH]

We used to have that ministry here many years ago, but since the OP lives in a different country, maybe they still use them. It is a person who makes announcements prior to mass. Our cantors now perform that duty, but I would not call them a “commentator.”

Thanks for the info.

I would not want to be singled out as “Reader of the Month” or “Altar server of the month” or “Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion of the Month” or anything like that.

for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (John 12:43)

Mary passed unnoticed. Jesus worked 30 years of his life hidden, unnoticed by the Jews or anyone else in the world. As a reader, I hope no one notices me but notices the word of God which I am privileged to proclaim. Salt dissolves and passes unnoticed, but it flavors the whole dish. I hope to be salt.

-Tim-

 

[John_Lilburne]

A commentator is described in the 2010 General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

“105. A liturgical function is also exercised by: …
b) The commentator, who, if appropriate, provides the faithful briefly with explanations and exhortations so as to direct their attention to the celebration and ensure that they are better disposed for understanding it. The commentator’s remarks should be thoroughly prepared and notable for their restraint. In performing this function the commentator stands in a suitable place within sight of the faithful, but not at the ambo.”

 

[Sunbreak]

I don’t think a lector of the month as some sort of award is appropriate. The Mass is about God, not about us.

 

[FrDavid96]

What is a commentator?

-Tim-

One who commentates.

 

[ccmcmg]

I wouldn’t like it.

It would invoke feelings of ‘pride’ in some when they were chosen, feelings of ‘unworthiness’ in some who were not chosen, both unnecessary and not fitting of the position. Our gifts in the ministry may not always be apparent, and not appeal the same to every one.

I think your heart is in the right place, though.

 

[Dove1]

We used to have that ministry here many years ago, but since the OP lives in a different country, maybe they still use them. It is a person who makes announcements prior to mass. Our cantors now perform that duty, but I would not call them a “commentator.”

I’m the OP and just to clarify, commentators in our church:

1. Give reminders before the mass (dressing appropriately, turning off gadgets, etc.)
2. Read brief intros to the readings before the mass.
3. Lead in the responses, some prayers, and songs (in the absence of choir).
4. Announce parish activities and events, after communion and before the final blessing.
5. Lead the Angelus, when needed since we have early morning and evening masses.

I think technically, a commentator’s job in our church is a bit more demanding. They need to be very familiar with the songs and need to strictly follow the order of mass in the commentator’s guide.

They stay at the commentator’s lectern and need to finish the entire mass until the closing song. A lector’s task in our church is essentially done after the readings and/or prayer of the faithful.

 

[Dove1]

While my daughter is a top-notch lector, I do not think it is proper to officially recognize them. What about the lector that is not so great, but is giving their all to a ministry they think is very important? Would they become discouraged if they think they are being judged? Church should never become a talent or popularity contest!

In our ministry, there was a committee that screened applicants who wanted to become lectors. So, in a a way, there was evaluation and judging done. Those who passed the screening committee then became commissioned lectors after undergoing a formation seminar.

 

[ccmcmg]

I’m the OP and just to clarify, commentators in our church:

1. Give reminders before the mass (dressing appropriately, turning off gadgets, etc.)
2. Read brief intros to the readings before the mass.
3. Lead in the responses, some prayers, and songs (in the absence of choir).
4. Announce parish activities and events, after communion and before the final blessing.
5. Lead the Angelus, when needed since we have early morning and evening masses.

I think technically, a commentator’s job in our church is a bit more demanding. They need to be very familiar with the songs and need to strictly follow the order of mass in the commentator’s guide.

They stay at the commentator’s lectern and need to finish the entire mass until the closing song. A lector’s task in our church is essentially done after the readings and/or prayer of the faithful.

Let’s please not say any one ministry is more important/demanding than another. My job isn’t only not ‘done’ after my reading, it starts far in advance. I know as a Lector, I study my Scripture all week long, meditate and pray, research it, reading more ‘around’ the reading to get it in context, and will often either read the prayers of the faithful or the announcements. There are many difficult words and messages in the readings, as well as the potential for mistakes, which would change the entire meaning of a word, sentence or reading. We also are in the processional/recessional. We carry in the Book of Gospels and place it on the altar. We all work very hard in our ministries as lay-people, and are all on display, while at the same time seeking not to stand out in front of the Mass as a whole.

I’ve also served in other ministries during Mass, and each has its own challenges and benefits.

 

[Dove1]

Let’s please not say any one ministry is more important/demanding than another.

Oh, I did not wish to imply that one role is more important than the other (both lectors and commentators are just in one ministry in our parish).

I think though that, given the tasks I listed, it takes longer to train as a commentator than as a lector - at least in OUR parish. In our ministry, most start as lector. Some of us then become commentators. Currently, only half of our lectors are able to ‘commentate’.

 

[Sirach2]

I’m the OP and just to clarify, commentators in our church:

1. Give reminders before the mass (dressing appropriately, turning off gadgets, etc.)
2. Read brief intros to the readings before the mass.
3. Lead in the responses, some prayers, and songs (in the absence of choir).
4. Announce parish activities and events, after communion and before the final blessing.
5. Lead the Angelus, when needed since we have early morning and evening masses.

I think technically, a commentator’s job in our church is a bit more demanding. They need to be very familiar with the songs and need to strictly follow the order of mass in the commentator’s guide.

They stay at the commentator’s lectern and need to finish the entire mass until the closing song. A lector’s task in our church is essentially done after the readings and/or prayer of the faithful.

As I noted earlier, this ministry in the US is usually filled by a “Cantor.” Your nation calls them “Commentators.” We simply do not use that terminology here.

 

[smichhertz]

I wonder if it’s a practice with ministries to have a Lector-of- the-Month or Commentator-of-the-Month thingy, just to keep things interesting, as an incentive, and to have “model lectors” for the newbies.

Do you have something similar? Is it even appropriate?

As a followup question, how do lectors and commentators in your chuch strive to improve or become better? Are there programs in place that encourage them to do so?

Hi Dove1,

I’d say best to have an optional training meeting once a month or so. That’s a good place for the more experienced to teach the newbies. The “Lecturer/Commentator of the Month” sounds like it fosters a competition which really isn’t in the spirit of the mass.

Of course, above all else, a deeper spiritual life is the best way to draw one to be more reverent during mass.

Hope that helps!

 

[Elizium23]

As I noted earlier, this ministry in the US is usually filled by a “Cantor.” Your nation calls them “Commentators.” We simply do not use that terminology here.

Actually, the Church calls them commentators, as they are specified in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. The commentator role is distinct from the cantor who leads singing.