[Jaded]

I'm an EOM at my parish and a lector at the chapel I attend during the week.

Our Priest recently addressed the dress habits of parishoners. Many were displeased. Bummer. The general rule for me is if I can't wear it to work, I can't wear it to Mass. There has been the rare exception.

I became and EOM the beginning of the year. We had many new EOMs. Enough for the rotation of 10 to be every 3 weeks at the Mass I go to. After only 4 months there were people who didn't show up and didn't get people to fill in. I prefer the Blood. I have never distributed the Body. I've dropped the purificator twice. I know I'm not worthy to be there but I'm not as worried about making mistakes. Serving is the only thing that matters. Well, what matters the most.

The chapel is a little bit more lax. Normally I go for the Communion Service at 1:00. It's not attached to a parish, just a space downtown. There is one assigned priest and many that come in to fill in during the services. Usually there are less than 15 people at the Communion service. There are 4 of us who read. It's first come, first serve or you're it. The first time I read, I got tapped by the priest. He was really great about what I didn't know, I was absolutely mortified. I don't usually get to read before hand and practice. I still trip over some of the names.

[Siobhan]

I think it is wonderful that you are so focused on Serving.

I'm an unreconstructed Catholic, so Extraordinary Ministers are not my cup of tea. But it is wonderful that the priest at the little Chapel has you to rely upon. May God make us all more pliable in His hands, and more willing to serve Him wherever and however He sends us.

[NYer]

The first time I read, I got tapped by the priest. He was really great about what I didn't know, I was absolutely mortified. I don't usually get to read before hand and practice. I still trip over some of the names.

Do they provide you with a copy of the reading in advance? If not, you may want to suggest this. It gives you plenty of time to prepare yourself and to check on the proper pronunciation of names and places. Indeed the role of lector is "open the minds and hearts of the listeners".

[Salvation]

**The general rule for me is if I can't wear it to work, I can't wear it to Mass.**

Good rule!

[Salvation]

And readers and lectors at my church have been admonished to be "dressed up" and looking like they are part of the ceremony --- because they are!