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In my parish we have lectors and commentators. The lectors do the readings while the commentators read the intentions and the announcements. I am a commentator. I am also responsible for making sure I have two readers, that the ushers know if we are having one or two collections and that the intentions for the Mass are placed on the alter for the priest.

My biggest problem is that the readers will sometimes show up less than 10 minutes before Mass starts. Many times I have to get "back-up" readers in place just in case, and these people barely have time to look and reflect upon the readings. Starting in the fall, the retiring head commentator has asked me to take over the duties. I have told her that we need to get the readers there prepared and on time. She agrees with the changes I'd like to make.

The only other problem we have is the manner of dress on the alter. When I first started commentating, the pastor asked that all women on the alter wear skirts or dresses. Although some days I may be more comfortable in pants, I respect his wishes and always dress accordingly. However many of the lectors wear what I would call some very casual playwear. The priest that usually says our mass (not the pastor) thinks whatever people wear is fine. He believes that we have them here to change the heart, what they are wearing doesn't matter.

Because of this, I am hesitant to say anything to my lectors in the fall when I take over. However I may send a general email on lector guidelines and put a comment about the dress code in anyway.

I like your idea about writing your own intentions for the mass. I think these prayers would be much more meaningful and timely when written like that. I use the standard prayers of intentions in the book and sometimes I feel a real disconnect. At our mass we do open up the floor for anyone to add their own intentions and this makes the intentions seem much more personal.

I am looking forward to reading everyone's input from their own parish.

And lastly I can't thank you enough for this ping list. Although I don't respond often, I have gained a real knowledge from everything I read. You have been very helpful as I've had to defend Pope Benedict to all of the lapsed Catholics at work.

I am not a lector. I will make one quick comment though about what the Eucharistic Ministers( what are we supposed to call these people now?) wear. I make an effort every Sunday morning to get myself and my children cleaned and dressed in "Sunday clothes". They are not comfortable but I have always thought it was important to dress appropriately at Mass. It's very frustrating then to get to church only to have the people handing out communion in jeans and t-shirts or short skirts with tops that show the woman's stomach. I hate the lack of respect!

I serve from time to time as a lector, and also as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (called, in Anglican Usage style, the "clerk") at our AU parish.

As Father McNamara seems to imply, I believe it is important that the lector not introduce his or her own dramatization of the readings, but instead that one read with a reverent tone that at the same time avoids being a monotone. As lector one is supposed to present the Word of the Lord, and not become the lord of the Word.

At our church, the clerk, if the deacon is not present at the liturgy, assists the priest in distribution of Holy Communion. The clerk is always dressed at least in choir dress (cassock and surplice), so the question of attire is not an issue.

On the subject of attire for assisting at Mass, I personally like to follow the practice of dressing in more or less the attire (usually coat and tie) that I would wear if I were going to meet the King (who, for Texas, would be King Juan Carlos, of course). Because in assisting at Mass, not to mention receiving Holy Communion, one does meet the King--Christ the King.

And lastly I can't thank you enough for this ping list. Although I don't respond often, I have gained a real knowledge from everything I read. You have been very helpful as I've had to defend Pope Benedict to all of the lapsed Catholics at work.

When I first arrived at FR nearly 5 years ago, I discovered the Religion Forum. Like you, it proved to be such an education. Over the years I had absorbed many misperceptions and misunderstangings about the catholic faith.

One of the first posts I read commented on meatless Fridays. It stated that Canon law had not changed. That was not my understanding so I looked it up. The poster was correct!

This is what the new Code of Canon Law brought out in 1983 says about the matter:

Canon 1251
Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Canon Law still requires that Catholics not eat meat on Fridays!

Of course, most Episcopal Conferences have determined that, instead of abstaining from meat, Catholics may perform an act of penance of their choosing. But, do you ever remember to abstain from a particular food or do some other penance on Fridays? And, at any rate, the main rule is still to abstain from meat on Fridays, the performance of another penance instead is an optional alternative.

That was incentive to start the ping list. There are many lapsed and misinformed catholics right here at FR. At work ... well, they probably consider me a 'religious fanatic' ;-D.

The priest that usually says our mass (not the pastor) thinks whatever people wear is fine.

Indeed? Is this because he has contempt for the office of lector? Ask him if his casual approach to clothing applies to the vesting of the priest as well. If he says yes, you're in the wrong parish.

My guess is that he's speaking reflexively about a thing he's never thought through systematically.