What does the reader do in a Catholic Church?

Answer 1

By Reader it is typically meant the person who reads either the first or second reading, sometimes responsible psalm, announcements and petitions, in the Catholic Church this is a lector, but lector is an ordained ministry; Readers are lay people who are filling in for lectors. The first reading is taken from the Old Testament, or Acts of the Apostles during Easter season, the second from a New Testament letter.

read further for more info.

The Mass is divided into two parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. After opening rite and the Gloria (outside of Advent and Lent), the priest prays a prayer called a collect (he invokes this with "let us pray"). After the collect, the reader reads the first reading, starting with "a reading from X" and ending with "The Word of the Lord". If a choir or cantor is present, the responsorial psalm is then sung, if not, the reader may read it. After the psalm, the reader (often a different reader) reads the second reading with the same formula. After that reading, if a choir is present, they sing the Alleluia (outside of Lent). Then the priest or deacon reads the Gospel, which is followed by a homily. After the homily, the creed is said (on Sundays and Feasts), followed by Petitions or the prayers of the faithful. This is said by the deacon, or if there is no deacon, may be said by the priest or a reader. At Some point, usually before the last blessing, announcements are made, either by the priest or the reader.

A few notes if you are reading

1. A lay person may not proclaim the Gospel at Mass, that is the job of the priest or deacon.

2. When reading, even if you have the text memorized, read the text on the page, it will help you focus.

3. If the Alleluia is not sung, it is to be omitted Do not read the Alleluia.

4. Keep the Prayers of the Faithful short and to the point. It is best not to invite people to voice their own petitions. This can sometimes turn ugly, believe it or not. If the priest asks you to write them, try to keep personal pet projects out of the prayers. Things on the USCCB agenda are okay, like praying for a respect for life and traditional marriage, the end of the death penalty, but steer clear of prayers that are political. It is best to simply pray for the the Church, the Pope, clergy and religious, lay faithful, national leaders and the dead.

5. If a deacon is present, he should read the prayers of the faithful. It's ideal, but not required. If asked to do it when a deacon is present, suggest that the deacon do it, but don't get into a fight with the priest over it. Don't die on that hill.

6. Practice the day before. I know, it's just reading....but some of those Old Testament names can throw you for a loop.

7. Speak slowly, remember that churches echo.

8. A lay person may NOT give the homily, or contribute to it. If the priest asks you to give announcements or a pitch for stewardship/parish activity to be given directly after the homily, I wouldn't' fight it. It would be best for the priest to read announcements himself or to have people do it before or after Mass, but don't die on that hill.