There is no gainsaying that knowledge is power and obviously, you cannot give what you do not have. It was on this note and to better inform and equip the communicators, majorly, the announcers in the various parishes in Oyo Diocese that the Social Communication Commission presented a training and workshop on Voice Projection and the Suites of Lectors or Lay Readers in the Church.

The workshop which was held on Saturday, 20th of July at St Peter's Igbeti commenced around 11 am. It was then that Rev. Fr Joachim Alade, the Host Parish Priest and one of the distinguished guest speakers for the training took the people through a thorough session on the topic; The Ministry of the Lector and the Propagation of the Word of God. At the initial stage of the Lecture, Fr. Alade made a clear definition of what liturgy is as a means to connect believers to God and which involves prayers, hymns, sacraments among others.

This, he said serves as a means to honour God and nourish the faithful through meaningful and sacred vessels. 

In reference to this, Fr. Alade made it a point to note that a Lay Reader or Lector has a significant role to play during Liturgy. He then answered the question of who a Lay Reader or Lector is, a member of the Laity who has been trained and authorized by the Church to read the assigned scriptures during the celebration of the Holy Mass.

He then gave the major role of a Lay Reader or Lector to be, “Proclaiming the word of God”. The role of a lector, Fr said, is a minor ministry which has been reserved.

Going further in his lecture, Fr. Alade made a distinct comparison between a Lay Reader and a Lector. He referred to a Lay Reader as someone who on occasional basis, takes the scriptural reading whereas a Lector is someone who has been officially confirmed and authorized through the rituals in the Church to take the scriptural readings. 

In addition to his talk, the priest pinpointed some important expectations of a Lector while going to take the reading. Thus, thorough preparation, appropriate dressing, punctuality, proper handling of the lectionary, adhering to the liturgical cues and of course, maintaining the position of reverence and respect during Mass.

All these, and other not mentioned, he said, are very crucial tips that every Lay Reader or Lector should abide with.

Rev. Fr. Benjamin Jolasun, the Diocesan Pastoral Secretary and a Communicator per excellence took the second session of the training on the topic: Church Announcers and Collaborative Nature with Priest. This particular session captured series of outlines on how to be a seasoned announcer and what it takes.

Fr. Jolasun who was practical about the description of an announcer, stated that an announcer is one who introduces or give information about an event. A voice artist who relate information to the audience.

An announcer in the Church likewise proclaims the good news and every announcer is a public figure and by that very fact, they become a Master of Ceremony which he otherwise called, Master of Crises.

He then further highlighted some skills to possess as a good announcer in the Church; ability to speak fluently and clearly to the audience, voice projection, having a clear understanding of both written and spoken information, ability to listen very well and asking the right questions, reading and understanding the work related materials so as to give the proper information to the people in a presentable manner, a good announcer must possess a good and legible handwriting, adequate preparation, time consciousness and of course, being properly dressed.

Immediately after the two sessions, there were questions and clarifications from the people on issues concerning the conducts during the celebration of the Holy Mass which were duly addressed. 

Rev. Fr John Irekiigbe, the Director of the Social Communications in the Diocese while appreciating the efforts of all those who have made it to the training, encouraged the participants to be the game changers in their various Parishes.

He then made some recommendations to be adopted or reinforced as Lectors in the Church. Part of the recommendations was the fact that no Lector should be allowed to take Readings at Mass upon failure to attend the rehearsal and also that no announcement should be publicised by the announcer without the Priest's awareness. This and others he said would serve as a mode of discipline to the people.

Also present at the workshop were Rev. Fr. Matthew Ijuo, the Parish Priest's of St Anthony's Kisi; Rev. Fr Alexandra Onifade of St Mary's Ife-Odan and Rev. Fr John Ojeniyi, the Associate Parish Priest of St. Peter's Igbeti, the hosting Parish.