The Roman Catholic Diocese of Iba

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Diocesan Shrine

Mangan-Vaca, Subic, Zambales

MINISTRY OF LECTORS

GUDELINES AND BY-LAWS

 The Roman Catholic Diocese of Iba
Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Diocesan Shrine
Mangan-Vaca, Subic, Zambales

MINISTRY OF LECTORS

A. GUIDELINES

I. Name and Purpose

1. The name of the Ministry shall be Ministry of Lectors hereinafter referred to as “the
Ministry”. The abbreviated name of the Ministry shall be STDS-MOL where all letters
shall be capitalized.
2. The purpose and objective of this Ministry shall be as follows:
a. Schedule commissioned laypersons to proclaim the readings from the Sacred
Scripture for all liturgical and sacramental celebrations in the St. Therese of
the Child Jesus Diocesan Shrine, with the exception of the Gospel.
b. Maintain a qualified group of lay faithful to serve in this Ministry.
c. Lastly, the main purpose of the Ministry is to help laypersons to serve in God
and in Church; to nurture and develop their faith through serving in the
Ministry in a way of proclaiming the Word of God in Holy Mass and other
Liturgical Services.

II. Membership
1. Lay faithful who wish to serve in the Ministry shall satisfy the following
qualifications:
1.1 Formed and fully initiated Catholics;
1.2 At least 15 years old but not more than 70 years old.
(When a candidate does not meet the age requirement, it is the prerogative
of the Shrine Rector to determine his/her ability and sustainability to the
Ministry);
1.3 Willing to commit themselves to perform the duties and responsibilities as
members of the Ministry, especially the proclamation of the Word of God in
the liturgical and other celebrations in the Diocesan Shrine.
1.4 Proficient in both English and Filipino, and skilled in the art of reading
publicly;
1.5 Physically and mentally fit;
1.6 Other specific requirements as set forth by the Ministry.
2. Qualified candidates shall completely undergo the 6 hours formation program (3
hour per month), conducted by the SETC.
 3. In order to maintain membership in the Ministry, members shall attend the
scheduled duty, recollections, meetings and gatherings both in shrine and by the
Diocese that pertains to lectors and commentators.
4. Members shall be classified as follows:
4.1 Regular Members. Regular membership is composed of members who
assume the complete duties and responsibilities as prescribe in the Article
IV.
4.2 Executive Members. Executive membership is composed of the
Coordinator, Assistant Coordinators, Secretary, and the Treasurer.

III. Liturgical Attire

1. A male member shall wear the following when serving as a Lector/Commentator:
a. In special masses - Barong Tagalog, black slacks and black leather shoes
b. In regular masses - plain white polo, black slacks and black leather shoes
2. A female member shall wear the following when serving as a
Lector/Commentator:
a. In special masses - Filipiniana, black skirt (length at least one to two inches
below the knee), and black leather shoes
b. In regular masses - plain white blouse with descent neckline and sleeves,
covering at least one-third of the upper arm; black skirt; and black leather
shoes
3. Jewelries and other accessories which would be distracting to the assembly shall
not be worn.

B. BY-LAWS

I. Name and Purpose

1. The name of the Ministry shall be Ministry of Lectors hereinafter referred to as “the
Ministry”. The abbreviated name of the Ministry shall be STDS-MOL where all letters
shall be capitalized.
2. The purpose and objective of this Ministry shall be as follows:
a. Schedule commissioned laypersons to proclaim the readings from the Sacred
Scripture for all liturgical and sacramental celebrations in the St. Therese of
the Child Jesus Diocesan Shrine, with the exception of the Gospel.
b. Maintain a qualified group of lay faithful to serve in this Ministry.
c. Lastly, the main purpose of the Ministry is to help laypersons to serve in God
and in Church; to nurture and develop their faith through serving in the
Ministry in a way of proclaiming the Word of God in Holy Mass and other
Liturgical Services.
II. Rights of a Member
1. Participate fully in meetings, practices, trainings, and other activities of the Ministry.
2. Be informed on all affairs of the Ministry and the reasons thereof.
3. Freely express opinions, submit resolutions and suggestions.
4. Elect and be elected into the leadership of the Ministry.

III. Duties and Responsibilities of a Member

1. Uphold the Guidelines and By-laws of the Ministry.
2. Attend regularly and punctually his/her assigned service schedule/s as well as the
meetings, trainings, and other activities of the Ministry.
3. Inform in a timely manner any Executive member about predetermined absence in a
service schedule, meeting, training, and other activities of the Ministry, and the
reasons thereof.
4. Secure a substitute or arrange an exchange with another Lector/Commentator
should there be a conflict with the assigned service schedule.
5. Pay the fees and other dues set by the Executive Committee.
6. When serving as a Lector/Commentator:
6.1 Understand that service in this Ministry is for the purpose of meeting the
needs of the Diocesan Shrine and is a commitment to assist in the
celebration of the liturgy in its fullest beauty;
6.2 Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the mass at which one is
scheduled to serve;
6.3 Wear the appropriate attire as prescribed in Article X;
6.4 Engage in full participation in the mass;
6.5 Follow the Liturgical rules for Lectors and Commentators which shall be
issued later by the Coordinator with prior approval of the Rector.
7. Ensure the attendance of the assigned readers on the mass next to his/her schedule;
and act substitute in their absence.
8. Perform other duties and responsibilities as set forth by the Coordinator and/or the
Executive Members.

IV. Scheduling
1. The schedule for all liturgical celebrations shall be filled on a regular meeting once
or twice in a month. Special celebrations that require a lay reader shall be scheduled
on the immediate regular meeting or a special meeting may be called for that
purpose.

2. A member shall have a consistent attendance in meetings to acquire a service

schedule.
 3. New/Returning members who did not undergo the formation shall not be given a
service schedule.

V. Meetings
1. A quorum shall consist of two-thirds of the total membership.
2. The general meeting of the Ministry shall be held every First Sunday at the Diocesan
Shrine from 9:00am to 10:00am. The meeting place may be moved upon the
approval of a quorum.
3. A special meeting shall be called by a quorum or any Executive member whenever a
need arises (trip information, special functions, last details etc.)
4. All proposals and agenda for a general/special meeting shall be conferred on an
Executive meeting by the Officers prior to the actual meeting with the members.
5. The general election meeting shall be held every transition of the diocesan clergy. A
special election meeting shall replace a general meeting whenever a vacancy of
position occurs.

VI. Dues and Fees

1. Dues for all members including students shall be voluntary.
2. For those who want to make donations, he/she should approach the coordinator
and the treasurer for the issuance of acknowledgment receipts.
3. Dues may be paid on an annual or monthly basis.

VII. Leave of Absence

1. Leaves shall be officially granted to members which reasons are deemed
acceptable by the SETC.
2. An official leave shall be formally applied for in writing. The letter shall be
addressed to the Coordinator.
3. Upon filing the Certificate of Candidacy for a Public Office, the concerned shall
inform the SETC to avoid conflict in time.

VIII. Structure of the Ministry

1. The Executive Committee shall be the highest policy-making and governing body
of the Ministry; it shall be composed of the Coordinator, Assistant Coordinators,
Secretary, and the Treasurer.
2. The Screening, Evaluating and Training Committee (SETC) shall be the second
highest decision-making and governing body of the ministry; provided that these
decisions are consistent with the policies set by the Executive Committee.
IX. The Officers
1. The Coordinator shall have the following functions, powers and duties:
a. Exercise general supervision and responsibility over the Ministry and ensure
the functioning of all officers and members;
b. Represent the ministry in all occasions and events that need representation;
c. Appoint a secretary;
d. Sign all resolutions, communications, and other documents of the ministry to
make them official;
e. Enforce the provisions of this Guideline and By-laws and all other rules and
regulations, which may be promulgated from time to time;
f. Call for special meetings of the ministry as may be deemed urgent and
necessary.

2. The Assistant Coordinator Internal shall have the following functions, powers, and
duties:
a. Assume the role of the Coordinator in his/her absence or incapacity to
perform that role;
b. Assist the Coordinator in all the internal affairs to the Ministry;
c. Formulate and enforce House Rules during meeting sessions;
d. Perform other functions as may be delegated by the Coordinator.

3. The Assistant Coordinator External shall have the following functions, powers and
duties:
a. Act as a Coordinator in the latter’s absence or incapacity of both the
Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator Internal to perform that role;
b. Assist the Coordinator in all the external affairs of the Ministry (ex.
Diocesan/Vicariate meetings)

4. The Secretary shall have the following functions, powers and duties:
a. Assist the Coordinator;
b. Record the minutes of all the meetings and transactions in a book to be kept
for that purpose;
c. Keep in safe custody the logo of the Ministry, and when authorized by the
Executive Committee, affix the same to any instrument requiring it;
d. Maintain continuous correspondence with the members of the Ministry;
e. Perform other functions as may be delegated by the Coordinator.

5. The Treasurer shall have the following functions, powers and duties:
a. Have primary responsibility over the acquisition, control and utilization of
the funds of the ministry;
b. Keep a transparent record of all the Ministry’s financial transactions.
X. Screening, Evaluating and Training Committee (SETC)
1. The Screening, Evaluating and Training Committee or SETC shall be composed of
trainers and formators, and a Spiritual Adviser (Rector) who shall have a decisive
authority in moral and religious matters.
2. The SETC shall have the following functions:
a. Screen and evaluate applicants who wish to serve the Ministry;
b. Provide trainings and resources to members so as to effectively proclaim
the Word of God;
c. Determine ways and means to improve the members in their oral reading
skills and appreciation of the Sacred Scripture;
d. Determine the validity of the reasons presented by the members that need
verification;
e. Study complaints involving suspected violations of the Guidelines and By-
laws and make recommendations for the Executive Committee as
appropriate;
f. Act and decide upon all request for membership;
g. Make recommendations concerning changes and/or additions in the
policies of the Ministry relating to admission process and disciplinary
actions.

XI. Appointments and Elections

1. The members of the Ministry shall elect the Coordinator, Assistant Coordinators
Internal and External, and the Treasurer.
2. The Coordinator with the consent of the elected Executive Committee shall
appoint the Secretary and the members of SETC.
3. An elected officer shall not hold position in the SETC.
4. Executive members shall serve until the transition of diocesan clergy.
5. A member shall be allowed at most two consecutive terms in the same Executive
position.

XII. Disciplinary Actions

1. Any member of the Ministry will be meted disciplinary actions on the following
grounds:
a. Willful violation of the Guidelines and By-laws of the Ministry, and other
policies set forth by the Executive Committee and SETC;
b. Unreasonable neglect of duty;
c. Lack of respect for the Word of God;
d. Gross misconduct
2. Any person (ministry/non-ministry members) may provide information to the
Ministry about the performance and conduct of its members. Matters shall be
subject to investigation by the SETC. The SETC shall provide the Executive
 Committee its verbal or written decision and recommendation for action as
appropriate.
3. Major disciplinary problems shall be decided by the Rector upon the
recommendation of the SETC.
4. Penal sanctions shall be distinguished in the following forms:
a. Voluntary Resignation – At any stage of the investigation, the concerned
may file a letter of resignation addressed to the Rector or the Coordinator.
b. Suspension – Upon the recommendation of the SETC, the Rector may
prohibit the offender of all or some rights and functions attached to the
Ministry within a specified period of time.
c. Expulsion – This penalty shall be imposed only when a serious offense, as
determined by the SETC, had been committed.
5. An expelled member may be readmitted based on the recommendation of the
SETC with proof that the problem has been sufficiently resolved, justice restored,
the offender has reformed, and upon the discretion of the Rector.

XIII. Amendments
1. Any provision of this Guidelines and By-laws may be amended, altered or repealed
by a quorum.
2. All proposals for amendments shall be submitted by any member in written form
with the explanations thereof to the Secretary.
3. Proposed amendments shall be voted one week after the notice of such
amendment has been given the members. The SETC shall be in-charge of
conducting the plebiscite.
XVI. Effectivity

1. This Guidelines and By-laws shall take effect on and

thereafter unless amended.

Prepared by:

IVY JANNET R. NOVALES

Ministry Coordinator

JEROME M. LOPEZ
Ministry Member
Noted by:

REV. ELBERT BALBASTRO

Deacon

MA. CORAZON VALERIO

Ministry Asst. Coordinator

Approved by:

REV. FR. JOHN A. ARGA

Rector

DATE: