:   :   :   :   
Statue of St. Patrick in the Church

St. Patrick's R.C. Church

Lectors

"A lamp to my feet is Your Word, a light to my path."

(Psalm 119:105)
Cartoonish bible with page marker ribbon

 

St Patrick's of Smithtown

Lectors

(Taken from the 2002

St. Patrick's 50th Anniversary Journal)

 

Lectors

It would be hard to understate the importance of God's Word, or the importance of proclaiming it.  That is the job of 44 people within the parish - lectors.  Twenty-two adult lectors, ranging in age from their early 20s to retirement age, proclaim God's Word through Old and New Testament readings at all Masses (with the exception of the 6:45 AM weekday Mass in which the Sisters of St. Joseph serve as lectors, and the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass).  During the 9:00 AM Mass youth lectors take on the job.  Twelve young people currently serve as youth lectors.

Ideally, lectors are transparent, according to Tom Beirne, who has served as a lector for almost 40 years.  "The idea is to help people appreaciate what is being read," he said. "It's better if people say to you after Mass, 'I didn't realize that' (in regard to a reading) rather than 'You did a good job reading.'"

Tom was one of five or six men who, in the early sixties, became the first lectors at St. Patrick's.  Father Joseph Canning invited seminarians from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception to come to St. Patrick's to train them.  Eventually, women too were allowed to serve.

Over the years, lectors have proclaimed God's Word in many different places.  One lector recalled doing readings in the basement of St. Patrick's Church when it was located at Mayflower and Edgewater Avenues.  Rather than reading from the sancturary, lectors stood up in the crowded congregation to read.  Eventually, lectors were allowed in the sanctuary.

Following the fire that severely damaged the church, lectors did the readings in a tent set up on the chruch grounds, at times in sweltering heat, and in the Smithtown Movie Theater, which opened its doors to St. Patrick's following the fire.  In more recent years, of course, lectors have served in the present church and Canning Hall.

Over the years, lectors have also used various methods for preparing for the readings.  Early on, Tom Beirne recalls taping himself doing the readings to see if he was going too fast or too slow.  When his son, Tommy, was seven or eight-years old, he practiced in front of him to guage his reactions.  He also would read the verses very rapidly to see where he might be tongue-tied and then go back and work on those lines.  During Mass, he sometimes would look toward his wife in the pew who would signal if he were speaking too loudly or too softly.

Now, Tom says, preparing for the readings is easier with the help of workbooks written specifically for the lectors.  The workbooks give insights into the readings by giving historical perspectives and explaining what the author was trying to accomplish.  They explain whether the reading was written as a narrative, as poetry, or as an historical piece.  Tom also emphasizes the importance of reading the verses before and after a particular reading in order to put it into context.  Prayer, too, he says is essential.

For the past 11 years, Joy Robles has served as a lector.  Joy says she became a lector in order "to be a part of the bigger community." Participating in the Mass, she says, made her feel very much a part of the parish.  She feels privileged to be so close when the consecration is taking place.  She also has enjoyed meeting many people through lectoring.  joy remembers specifically the first time Father Walsh knew her name.

"The Word of God means a lot to me," she said. "I believe every word of it.  I want to speak it in a way that people will be captivated, because I am captivated.  I want to convey that excitement."

Anyone interested in becoming a lector should contact the rectory.  There is a brief training process and lectors are also encouraged to attend an annual workshop.

Interested in Serving as a Youth Lector

Continued on next page...

St. Patrick R.C. Church
280 East Main Street
Smithtown, NY 11787

Mass Times

Today's Mass Readings
Weekdays:
6:45am, 9:00am, 12:10pm
Saturday:
9:00am, 5:00pm, 8:00pm
Sunday:
7:30am, 9:00am,
10:30am, 12:00pm
5:00pm
Main Rectory Phone #: 631-265-2271
Jesus with the little children
Updated information on the schedule for times & events for your child's class.  And a complete calendar for the current school year.

Parish Social Ministry

St Patrick's Parish Outreach Logo

Social Ministry

What is Parish Outreach

A helping hand when you can’t cope with an emergency; food, financial assistance, housing, employment in crisis situations when resources are available;  A smiling visitor when you are shut-in for an extended period;  ....(read more)

We are only a phone call away. Please call 265-2668, Monday - Friday, 9 AM to 3

If you know adults who: Can’t care for themselves - Are at risk of harm - Have no one to help . . . . . You can help.  Please call: Adult Protective Services Bureau - Suffolk County Dept. of Social Services at 654-3195, 3196, or 3197, RESPONSE 24 Hour Hotline at 751-7500, VIBS at 360-3606.  Your information will be kept strictly confidential. ....(read more)

Mass For The Dead
As the 6:45 AM Mass will be celebrated during July and August, there are a number of Mass intentions now available.
Stop by the Rectory to order Masses for your departed loved ones.  Please note that the Mass Book fills quickly.
 
Friday, August 1st
First Friday of the Month
From the 12:10 PM Mass until 3:30 PM.  The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be recited at 3:00PM.  Please join us as we adore our Lord Jesus.
 
Saturday, August 2nd
8:15 AM

Join us in praying the Rosary.

Pro-Life Family Hosts A

Monthly Holy Hour

Sacred heart of Jesus Sacred Heart of Mary
Adoration - Thanksgiving
Reparation - Petition

Tuesday, August 19th
7:30 to 8:30 PM in the church

Gift From God Baby
Pro-Life Family
Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, August 26th
St. Patrick School
Room 103 at 7:30 PM
St. Patrick's Pro-Life Family invites you to join us for our monthly meeting.  Please come and unite with us as we witness to the sanctity of Life.
Nocturnal Adoration Society

Saturday, August 16th
after the 8 PM Mass.

Join us for a night of prayer in front of the Sacred Sacrament. 

All singles are invigted to refreshments & conversation
Sunday, July 20th
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
(after the 9 AM Mass)
Cost: $2.00
Happy Anniversary
Married in August?
Please join us at the
Sunday, August 3rd,
Noon Mass.
All couples are invited to renew their vows and recieve a special blessing. 
bottle gifts for babies

Don't Forget
Your Bottle Money

The 4th Weekend of the Month

Please recycle your bottle and cans and donate the money to the worthy cause of helping mothers and their babies in need.  Look for the Pink Baby Bottle banks at the church exits.
Collection Box

The first weekend of the month, we will have the offering for the Hungry and homeless.  Please look for the Hungry & Homeless boxes at the church exits and be generous in sharing God’ blessings.

Cathoic Schools - Characters, Compassion, Values

Are You Considering Catholic Education?

St. Patrick School serves students and their families in nursery school through eighth grade.  The mission of the school is to provide for the safety, education, and gradual growth of the whole child; spiritually, intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. 
For more information, call 724- 0285, visit the St. Patrick School web site at www.sps-smithtown.org or mark your calendar for the school’s open house on Sunday, January 27th from 1-3 PM.
 

© 2008 St. Patrick's Parish
280 East Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787
(631) 265 - 2271