Phone: (808) 455-3012
Email: office@olgcchurchpc.org
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December 11, 2017MINISTRY CORNER, LECTOR MINISTRYBy Bob SabatiniLectors assist the priest celebrant in proclaiming the Word of God during the celebration of the Mass and other liturgical celebrations.The Lector Ministry is currently comprised of 30 proclaimers. Generally we are assigned to proclaim the Word of God at one of the five weekly Masses, usually at the time we regularly attend Mass. Parishioners with all sacraments intact that have a desire to proclaim the Word of God, need to fill out an application and be interviewed and endorsed by the Pastor. Once that is completed, training and resource material will be issued.Lectoring is a wonderful way to enhance our faith journey. Participating in the Liturgy is an honor and privilege that is held dear by every lector. Julia Cabatu, if not the longest active lector, is very close to it. She proclaims the Word of God very effectively at the Sunday morning 8:30 A.M. Mass. Phillip Cyr is another outstanding lector. Phillip is in his third year as a lector. He proclaims the Word of God at the Sunday afternoon 5 P.M. Mass. Here are some insights they shared.Julia responded to the call for parishioners to join ministries along with her husband back in 1973. She and her husband became involved in many endeavors within the church,including clubs, ministries and retreats. Cursillo, especially inspired her and her husband to be more involved in God’s work. Balancing family responsibilities with children became a little more manageable as the children grew. Back when Julia began, lectors not only had to proclaim the Word, but afterwards, had to explain in their own words what the readings meant. She could not overemphasize the stress that presented. She took it upon herself to join Toastmasters in addition to going to church trainings and workshops to help her be the best lector she could be. She shared that one of her most memorable experiences was lectoring at Bishop Ferrario’s installation mass at the Blaisdell Center. Julia has been a leader and dedicated an amazing 44 years to the Lord as a lector in our Parish, and still going! In Julia’s words, “It is not hard because God is at my side at all times. Time flies when doing the Lord’s work.” We are blessed to have her.Phillip is a sophomore majoring in accounting at UH Manoa. He became a lector in 2014 while still a junior in high school. Phillip heard the call to be lector during his Confirmation Mass. Encouraged by our Youth Director Laurie Munoz to try it. He did and he does it well. In his own words Phillip said “Being a lector has been a rewarding experience since it has allowed me to stay connected to my faith throughout some of the busiest years of my life. Additionally, it is my way of giving back to the community that I have been a part of since I was a child. I encourage any youth, young adults or other parishioners to also consider becoming a lector both to further their own faith and to help out the community that they belong to.”These are just two of the dedicated servants of the lector ministry. Might you be the next?
