200 attend L&C recollection

KOTA KINABALU – Around 200 participants attended a Recollection for Lectors and Commentators serving at the sub/parishes of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Church of Mary Immaculate Bukit Padang, and Our Lady of Carmel.

The recollection was held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish Centre in conjunction with Bible Sunday Jul 11, and was attended by lectors and commentators from the English, Bahasa Malaysia and for the first time the Cathedral’s Chinese speaking groups. The respective language group was led by Fr Rhobby Aaron Mojolou for Bahasa Malaysia, Fr Abel Madisang for English and Fr Mitchelly Kiun for Chinese.

The participants were drawn into spiritual preparation through the sharing of the Gospel text on the Journey to Emmaus where the need to recognize Jesus through scripture was explained.

After the respective sessions with the priests, the participants regrouped for the session on procedures relating to the proclamation of the Word of God. This session was presented by Seminarian Joshua Liew.

At this session, the importance of preparation was emphasized in order for the service of the Word to be effective. Scriptural and spiritual preparation involve understanding and interpreting in order to evoke a response from the Assembly.  Practical preparation involves  learning right pronunciation, intonation, clarity of diction as well as the observance of the ‘pauses’ as stipulated in the General Instructions to the Roman Missal (GIRM).

Lectors serving in the Mass were reminded on proper etiquette, including proper dressing even though they are required to use the surplice, and the need to refrain from movements or gestures that could draw attention to them or cause distraction from the dignity of the ministry.

Sessions over, the participants celebrated a closing Mass at the Cathedral’s Blessed Sacrament Chapel.  The commissioning of the lectors and commentators took place at the evening’s Sunset Mass same day (pic). – Ignatius Matayun