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Lector Training

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Purpose

To use the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults as part of a parish lector training session.

Materials Needed

• Nametags
• Markers
• Paper
• Pens or pencils
• 12-15 copies of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
• Newsprint

Schedule (3 hours)

Welcome and Introduction (10-15 minutes)
Opening Prayer (5-15 minutes)
Session One: The Church (30-40 minutes)
Break (15 minutes)
Session Two: Proclaim the Gospel to Every Creature (30-40 minutes)
Practical Training on How to Be a Lector (60 minutes)

Possible Adaptations to the Schedule

For a shorter or an evening session, use the following components:

Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)
Opening Prayer (5 minutes)
Session: Proclaim the Gospel to Every Creature (30-45 minutes)
Practical Training on How to Be a Lector(45 minutes)

Welcome and Introduction (10-15 minutes)
As people arrive, invite them to put on nametags. Welcome everyone and introduce your team and any other important people including the pastors. Share the purpose of this time and an overview of the schedule.

Opening Prayer (5-15 minutes)
Lead the group in an opening prayer. A simple prayer is outlined below.

Sign of the Cross
Reading: “Meditation” (pp. 32-33) from Dei Verbum
General Intercessions
Concluding Prayer: By St. Augustine (p. 33)

Session One: The Church (30-40 minutes)

1. Introduce the topic.
2. Invite someone to read aloud the faith story on St. Peter.
3. The next section (pp. 112-121) is divided into 13 sections. Divide the group into pairs, triads, or any size group so that a group has responsibility for each of the 13 sections. Groups may be given more than one section. Assign section(s) to each group.
4. Invite the groups to read their section, and respond to the first reflection question on p. 121, especially noting how the reading impacted them.
5. As a large group, ask the small groups to share their discussion.
6. Distribute paper and pens/pencils. Invite the groups to reflect on and respond to discussion questions 2 and 3 individually, using the paper if they would like to journal on them.
7. Invite the participants to share their reflections with the large group, taking notes on the newsprint.
8. Ask the group to reflect individually on this question: “How does my understanding of the Church as Body of Christ shape the way I approach lectoring?” (This is a modification to question 3.)
9. Invite the participants to find a partner and share their responses.
10. In the large group, solicit some of the responses from the conversations and note them on the newsprint.
11. Ask the participants to identify which responses on the newsprint are challenges for them and the parish as they begin or continue their lectoring. Note that these could be goals as they share their ministry and for their continued reflection throughout the year.

Break (15 minutes)

Session Two: Proclaim the Gospel to Every Creature (30-40 minutes)

1. Introduce the topic.
2. Invite someone to read aloud the faith story of Blessed John XXIII.
3. Read the first discussion question out loud, asking for responses from the group.
4. Read the section, “Transmitting God’s Revelation” aloud, then divide the participants into four groups. Assign each group one of four sections that follows (pp. 23-31). Invite the groups to read their section, and identify what in their reading inspires and challenge them as a lector.
5. As a large group, ask the small groups to share their discussion, especially their challenges. Note their responses on newsprint.
6. Invite the groups to reflect on and respond to discussion questions 2 and 3.
7. In the large group, solicit responses to questions 2 and 3, taking notes on the newsprint.
8. Ask the group to reflect individually on this question: “How can our understanding of Scripture, especially any insights from today, help me in my lectoring?”
9. Invite the participants to find a partner and share their responses.
10. In the large group, solicit some of the responses from the conversations and note them on the newsprint.
11. Connect their responses in this last session with the challenges that they noted earlier in the session.
12. Conclude by reading the quote from 2 Thes 2:15 out loud (p. 33).

Practical Training on How to Be a Lector (60 minutes)

• During this time, teach and practice the basic skills that are needed to be a Lector in your parish. Also, share any relevant information about how readings are proclaimed in your parish.
• Lengthen or shorten the time that is set aside for this as needed to complete the training.