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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

Are you a card carrying member of our parish?
Stylized St. Patrick Membership Card
At St. Patrick’s we don’t have membership cards because everyone is always welcome! But if you attend or are planning on attending Mass here, and are NOT registered with the parish, please fill out a registration form and return it to the Rectory. Please help us get to know you better so that you can best take advantage of everything our parish has to offer.




Mass For The Dead
will open on
January 18th
Stop by the Rectory to order Masses for your departed loved ones.  Please note that the Mass Book fills quickly.

 
Friday, February 3rd
First Friday of the Month
We will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament following the 12:10 PM Mass until 3:30 PM in the church.  The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be recited at 3:00PM.  Please join us as we adore our Lord Jesus.

Saturday, February 4th
8:15 AM
In the Church

Join us in praying the Rosary.

Our Lady came to Fatima with a message from God to every man, woman, and child of our century. Our Lady of Fatima promised that the whole world would be in peace, and that many souls would go to Heaven if Her requests were listened to and obeyed. Please join us in this devotion.

Detailed information on how to participate in this devotion will be available in the Church.


Happy Anniversary
Married in January?
Please join us at the
Sunday, February 5th
Noon Mass.
All couples are invited to renew their vows and recieve a special blessing.  We encourage all to participate in this very special tribute.

Rosary Kit

Rosary
Makers

 
Rosary Makers
invite you
to our

Monthly Meeting
 
Friday, February 3rd
7 PM in Room 209.
Join with others making Rosaries and spreading devotion to Our Blessed Mother.  All ages welcome.  For more information please call 804-7222.

Rosary Crusade Mary
Invites all to join them for their
Monthly Meeting.
Monday, February 6th
 
Agenda: Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 PM Mass at 7:30 PM
Mass will be followed by Novena prayers.
After Mass, all will gather in Canning hall for a Business Meeting / Valentine’s Party. Please Join us!

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sacred Heart Prayer Group

Tuesday Evenings
at 7:30 PM in the church.

The Sacred Heart Prayer group is a charismatic prayer group that meets every Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM.We are looking for new members, young and old……All would be welcomed. We would especially like to reach out to anyone who might like to join our music ministry. If you play the guitar or sing, we would love for you to join us! If you have any questions, call Barbara Hall at (631) 366- 0252.

All are invited to attend!

Monthly Meeting

If you interested in being a part of a vibrant group of women who faithfully support the work of the church and help those in need, consider becoming a “Catholic Daughter”.  Feel free to stop by the next Catholic Daughter Meeting:

Monday, January 23th
following the 7:30pm Novena Mass.

Gift From God Baby
Pro-Life Family
Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, January 31st
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, January 21st
after the 8 PM Mass.

Join us for a night of prayer in front of the Sacred Sacrament.  The first vigil (hour of prayer) will begin immediately after the 8 PM Saturday night Mass.  Parishioners are encouraged to stay after Mass for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and may pray privately or with the Nocturnal Adoration group.  The first vigil will be from 9 PM to 10 PM.  The vigils will continue throught the night.  The last one will be from 6 AM to 7 AM followed by Benediction and the 7:30 AM Mass.  All are invited to participate. Come and spend sometime with our Lord Jesus.


All singles are invited to refreshments & conversation
Sunday, January 15th
at 10:00 AM
(after the 9 AM Mass)
Youth Enrichment Center
Donation: $5.00

Hospitality Sunday

Coffee and Croissants
February 5th
after the
9 AM & 10:30 AM Masses

St. Patrick’s celebrate’s
“Hospitality Sunday.” 
Please join us for
coffee and cake. 
Cost: $2.00. 


© 2012 St. Patrick’s Parish
280 East Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787
(631) 265 - 2271