On February 1, 2023, 11 seminarians attending Pope John XXIII National Seminary were instituted into the Ministry of Lector by the Most Reverend William D. Byrne, Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts.
These students are: Patrick T. Bruen, Archdiocese of Detroit; William E. Burns, Diocese of Orlando; Sinclair D. Cushmore, Diocese of Orlando; Brian T. Delaney, Archdiocese of Boston; Thomas R. Fallati, Diocese of Albany; John A. Ippolito, Archdiocese of New York; Brother John Kim, OCSO, Saint Joseph Abbey; W. Patrick Long, Diocese of Venice; Paul D. McDonald, Diocese of Albany; Brother Charles A. Tupta, C.O., Rock Hill Oratory; and John P. Williams, Diocese of Springfield.
Those who are in formation to be ordained as Catholic priests must serve in the Ministry of Lector in order to prepare them for their future role as proclaimers of the Word of God through their work in the community and through the celebration of Mass and other liturgical rites. The principal duties of the lector at a Sunday Mass are to proclaim the first and second readings. In the absence of a deacon, the lector may carry the Gospel Book to the altar in the entrance procession and proclaim the petitions for the Universal Prayer. The lector may also lead the responsorial psalm in the absence of a cantor. These new responsibilities are reflected in the words that the Bishop announced – “You will proclaim that word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily.”
We offer our congratulations to these men and pray that their new roles as lectors will enable them to further pursue their preparation to become priests and serve the faithful.
