The Parish of the Durham Martyrs

Readers are lay people responsible for proclaiming the Word of God at Mass and Services of Word and Holy Communion. They also read the Bidding Prayers. If you are interested in joining the rota for Readers please contact the Parish Office specifying which Mass you regularly attend. 

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General Guidance for Reading at Mass 

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Thank you for all you do as Ministers of the Word. We are vital to the parish as we continue proclaiming the Word of God. 

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It was decided at the reflection morning that we would revert back to having two readers per Mass.  It is important also to note that if reading in St Joseph's Church  Fr. Colm has requested we access the sanctuary via THE RAMP and  not cut across the altar. 

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There will be TWO Readers on the rota from Easter 2025. The FIRST Reader reads THE FIRST READING AND THE PSALM. The SECOND Reader reads THE SECOND READING AND THE BIDDING PRAYERS.  If you are unable to read on your scheduled day please let Marjorie and the other reader know as they will read ALL THE READINGS IN THAT MASS.

WHEN TWO READERS ARE READING AT MASS

(THE PROCESS IS EXACTLY THE SAME IF ONLY ONE PERSON IS READING AT MASS obviously without the need for anyone to sit down between readings

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Coming up to Read

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 Both readers come up to the front together AFTER the COLLECT (Opening prayer) has finished.

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Bow to the ALTAR together. If reading at ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH, please go up to the ambo(lectern) via THE RAMP.  

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Whilst the FIRST reader is reading the 1ST READING AND PSALM the SECOND reader is to sit on a chair at the side of the sanctuary near where the Altar servers sit. They then switch for the 2ND READING.

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We DO NOT need to say “The first /second reading. The First/second reading is….”
We DO NOT need to read the italics beneath A Reading From….. This tells us as readers the theme of the reading.
We DO NOT need to say  “The responsorial Psalm, the response is….”  We just start with the Response.

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When both Readers have finished reading, AFTER THE FINAL ALLELUIA, we come down from the ambo (via THE RAMP in ST JOSEPH’S) and bow to the ALTAR. We DO NOT need to bow or genuflect to the priest celebrating Mass. We then return to our seats.

 

Reading the Bidding Prayers

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The SECOND READER goes up ALONE to read the Bidding Prayers. When reading the Bidding Prayers please count to five slowly in your head between reading the prayer and the response. This allows people time to pray for the intention.

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Example

For our own intentions and the intentions of those who have asked for our prayers.

(COUNT TO  5)

Lord, in your mercy.

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 Stay at the lectern UNTIL THE END OF THE HAIL MARY then come down from the ambo (if in ST JOSEPH’S come down THE RAMP) and bow to the ALTAR and return to your seat.

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