Volunteer Resources

• Download Eucharistic Ministers Schedule (July-August 2009)
• Download Lectors Schedule (July-August 2009)

How do I become a Lector?

Lectors serve the Catholic Church by reading Mass readings. This is an opportunity available to all Catholics once they receive some preparation, but the responsibility should not be taken lightly. Reading from the Word of God is central to the Catholic Mass and, when it is done properly, effectively communicates God's grace and love to everyone in the church.

1. Notify us of your interest in becoming a Lector.
2. Attend a training session with a priest and / or another experienced Lector. In addition to getting spiritual preparation, you will learn the responsibilities of a Lector and the scheduling process.
3. Volunteer to serve at several Masses. Arrive early on your scheduled days so that the priest knows you are present and you can go over the reading one more time.
4. Practice readings ahead of time. The more often the better. Practice makes the reading more effective and allows you to rehearse words that are difficult to pronounce. Remember it is your responsibility that parishioners hear the Word of God clearly each time you serve.
5. Ask God for His grace to help you read well. No amount of practice can replace God's assistance.
6. Read and study the Bible on your own time. As you become familiar with the Scriptures your love for them will grow and your ability to proclaim them effectively will increase.

How do I become a Eucharistic Minister?

As an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, commonly referred to as a Eucharistic Minister, lay people can serve the Catholic Church by distributing Holy Communion during Mass and bringing it to the home-bound. There is a simple process that you must follow in order to become a Eucharistic Minister.

1. Practice your Catholic faith through a prayerful relationship with God. Attend Mass and receive the Sacraments regularly. If you have not been to Confession in a while, go before you start the process of becoming a Eucharistic Minister and continue to go regularly.
2. Understand the role of an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. Priests and Deacons are the Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. If enough ordained ministers are present at Mass, extraordinary ministers should defer to them and not distribute Holy Communion.
3. Get trained. Contact us so we can let you know when and where you can get training. Make sure your parish membership is up to date when you call. This is a good time to join the parish if you are not an official member yet.
4. Once you are trained, we can go over how the scheduling process works, your specific responsibilities and detailed procedures.
5. Arrive at Mass early when you are serving as a Eucharistic Minister so that you can prepare spiritually. Check in with the priest who is celebrating Mass so that he knows that you have arrived.