The course normally requires either a whole-day session (Saturday) or at least two evenings (preferably three evenings, depending on the length of the evening session and the number of readers).

INPUT

(1) Background to the ministry of reader:
commentary on extracts from the General Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass (2nd editio typica, 1981), paras 10, 12, 14, 28, 30, 37, 45, 48, 52, 55;
also Directory on Masses with Children (1973), paras 42-3
What is ministry and how it differs from functionality

(2) Structure of the Bible:
OT (inc. differences between the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Bible)
NT

(3) Structure of the Lectionary (3-volume edition);
also the 3-year Sunday cycle in Ordinary Time,
relationship (or not) of readings to Gospel reading, etc

(4) Different types of readings:
narrative
narrative with direct speech
letters
declamatory prophecies
lyrical poetry
hymn-types
“catalogue” readings
“crescendo” readings
etc

(5) General principles:
how many readers (cf. GILM 52)
what to do with the responsorial psalm and gospel acclamation if not sung
the bidding prayers

(6) Practicalities:
The three basic tools: pitch, pace and volume
Use of voice: the three levels of pitch - high, medium, low
Pace and pacing - not just speed but the gaps between words
Volume
Pauses
Breathing
Other vocal devices, mood, etc
Discerning important words: emphasis and stress
Starting and ending
Use and placing of the microphone: the three distances from the mouth - medium, back, closer
Choreography: how, where and when to move
Pronunciations
Dealing with mistakes
Dealing with embarrassment
Principles for editing the text when using a Bible, not the Lectionary

(1) - (4) form part of the opening session / first evening. (5) - (6) are interspersed with practical work as it goes along.

PRACTICAL WORK

Each participant will read from the ambo or a lectern, as if during Mass, and immediately be critiqued by the group and the tutor, starting with positive points and then moving to areas for improvement.
(If instant-playback video is available, the tape is played back before the critique, and the first person to speak is the person who has just read.)

Useful readings exemplifying some of the categories in (4) above and providing material for principles in (6) above (all readings are taken from the 3-volume Lectionary, photocopied, not direct from a Bible):
1 Kings 17:17-24
Acts 2:1-11
Deuteronomy 30:10-14
1 Corinthians 12:4-13
1 John 1:1-4
Galatians 1:1-2.6-10
Isaiah 66:10-14

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Closing Prayer at end of the final session

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Handouts include all GILM and DMC paragraphs dealt with, Hebrew & Greek Bible structures (from the Jerusalem Bible), Sunday Lectionary structure in Ordinary Time, all readings as printed in the 3-volume Lectionary, practical and spiritual materials, etc.

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Days of Recollection

Diocesan Guidelines for Readers

Locations of previous training courses

Contact the Director of Liturgy to arrange a course