As with all ministry volunteers, proclaimers should try to be at church at least 15 minutes prior to mass start time. If you are later, the other proclaimer may wonder if you are coming and start to find a replacement.

Go into the Sacristy and check the Lectionary to ensure the ribbon is in the correct place for the year and Sunday. Second reader should check the folder for the announcements and petitions and review them. The parish minister prepares the announcements and leaves them in the Intentions folder in the Sacristy.

Proclaimers should wait in the Sacristy area to ensure both are at Mass. If one does not show up, the other proclaimer should find a replacement.

Starting in February 2003, changes were made to this ministry so that the second reader makes the announcements prior to the mass. The first reader carries the Lectionary in the procession and recession.

1. Five or seven minutes before mass starts, all those involved in the procession plus second reader will meet with Father in the Sacristy. He will lead a gathering prayer.

2. After the prayer, the second proclaimer will go to the ambo and make the announcements, including introduction of the gathering song.

3. When the procession stops at the sanctuary steps, DO NOT bow. Persons who carry a holy object (lectionary, candles, cross) do not bow.

4. When coming to the ambo for the first or second reading, DO NOT acknowledge the chair.

Proclaimers who come up the centre or left aisle, proceed straight to the ambo (pulpit).

Proclaimers who come up the right aisle (to read or to take the book for the recession), should stop at the center, bow to the altar and then proceed to the ambo.

5. The reader looks at the assembly and while still looking at the assembly, introduces the reading, e.g. "A reading from Exodus". (Never read the scriptural caption in red, nor say "The first reading is from...". Everyone knows it is the first reading.)

6. Proclaim the reading in a clear, audible voice and look at the assembly occasionally. Keep the pace slow, but alive.

7. At the end of the reading, pause for two seconds, look at the assembly and say "The Word of the Lord". (Do not hold up the book.) Pause for about 10 or 15 seconds to allow the assembly to meditate on the word. Return to your place.

8. When Father starts the prayer that precedes the intentions, the second proclaimer should come forward and be ready to come up the steps and move to the ambo when Father finishes the prayer. Say the intentions and then step to the side with your folder and wait until Father finishes the prayer at the end of the intentions, then return to your pew. Do not leave your folder on the ambo.

9. When the closing song starts, the first proclaimer should come forward to take the book.

Updated Nov. 15, 2006