"Proclaim the Word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths, But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry." (2 Tim. 4:2-5)

The Word Ministry is entrusted with propagating the Word of God through written and spoken means. The Ministry seeks to promote the firm rooting of God's Word at the personal, family, and apostolate levels of the community in order that we may receive the fullness of the personhood of Jesus Christ and that His Word may become the light upon our feet.

MINISTRY VISION

Through our covenant relationship with the Lord Jesus, as disciples we commit to be a countersign to all that is at war with the teachings of our Lord, and to emerge victorious in living and sharing the values of our Christian faith.

MINISTRY CHARISM

We are defenders and proclaimers of the Word of God.

MINISTRY MISSION

We, the members of the Word Ministry, brought together by obedience and a desire to follow the example of Jesus Christ, dedicate ourselves to the service of our community by proclaiming the Word of God.
Through electronic and print media, that the ministry show forth the community as a "city set on a hill" and to let its light "shine before men." (Mt 5:14,16) So that the work of God through the community may become known, attract those seeking the Light of Christ, and provide refuge to those seeking to escape the darkness of the world.
To nurture and promote the love of the Gospel of Christ, so that it becomes our guiding light.
Through the weekly newsletter, proclaim the Word of God, impart the spiritual direction for the community, and share spiritually inspired articles that exhort the community in their faith journey.
To reach out to inactive members of the community and outreaches via the regular mailing of the Covenant News.

MINISTRY STRATEGY

Worship:
Publish and circulate the weekly newsletter, reflecting the Sunday's Readings and Gospel; coordinate lectors/readers of the Word for the weekly Corporate worship service; maintain and develop the community's presence in the worldwide web.

Wisdom:
Conduct regular Living Word Groups (LWG) and seek the Word of God to receive direction for the ministry.

Witness:
Provide spiritual articles based on liturgical readings.

Work:
Plan, write, edit, publish and circulate the weekly publication for distribution to members, outreaches, BLD districts, and the Archdiocese of Newark. Implement Readers' Training at all levels of the community. Promote the community's activities and mission through the BLD website.

Warfare:
Observe community norms and values; guide and encourage one another with the Word of God; observe the covenant of communion; intercede and love one another with the love of Jesus.

COORDINATION

Governing Body – Since the ministry is responsible for the dissemination of information to the community, it works in close coordination with the DCS in ensuring that the newsletter is able to accommodate in a timely manner, the publication of time-sensitive articles and communications. It also coordinates with the governing body with regards to the community calendar, DCS LWG schedule, and community directions and exhortations.
Inter-ministry – Word actively solicits materials, news, updates on events, ministry-related articles from other ministries to make sure the community is made aware of their various projects. Also to highlight the witnessing and work of the different ministries, how it affects individuals and the community, and in this manner uplift the Body of Christ.
Intra-ministry - we maintain a high degree of communication among ourselves on the ministry level as our work involves deadlines and on a personal level as we support, encourage, minister to one another.

CALENDAR

January- Review past year's events
Easter- expanded issue with special articles about Easter.
Christmas-expanded issue with special articles about Christmas.
During the year- special articles about different ministries
Calendar planning for the CN is 2-3 months in advance.

COVENANT NEWS - CONTENTS AND PRODUCTION

Counsels- is the heart of the newsletter as it contains the scriptural message to the community as discerned by the DCS and in accord with the theme and direction provided by the Council of Servant Leaders of our mother community.

Word- contains the scriptural readings for the coming Sunday. Order-What the Community needs to follow for the week, as discerned by the DCS and based on the readings of the upcoming Sunday.

Reflection-"Struck, insights, and comments of the DCS." God's Promise for the Week- as discerned by the DCS from the Sunday readings.

Direction- Provides guides, pointers, and exhortation to the Community to achieve the order.

Lead Articles- Contains news, messages, notices from Manila, the community, outreaches, Spiritual Director, Archdiocese, or the Church. Generally two (2) articles per issue. 1st lead is approx. 250 words, 2nd lead – 150 words. Deadline: 5 days before date of issue or Monday night for events the weekend before issue.

Pathways- Topic to be agreed upon by the editorial board. It may be based on reflections from the readings during the week or any community issue or concern. Normally published twice a month, are exhortative in nature. Articles are approx. 450-470 words. Deadline: one week before the issue date.

Features- Articles that need research work. Topics may be about the life of saints, liturgical feasts, virtues, Sacraments, reflections, etc. Word count is 450-470 words. Deadline: one week before the issue date.

Unsolicited articles are welcome. This will be scheduled and used as soon as there is an opportunity.
Scheduling may also be determined by season, complementing topics, etc.

In the Spirit of Transparency- This is the voice of the DCS, exhorting/explaining/clarifying issues for the community. Approximately 470-480 words submitted to the editor 5 days before date of issue.

Regular items due 5 days before date of issue:
Birthdays/Anniversaries
Community Calendar
The Lord's Provision
Ministry Announcements
Mission Immersion Program
Word wealth, bible trivia- provided by CN Coordinator.
CDFP Schedule
Prophecies, etc.


For published Covenant news, click here.

MINISTRY OF THE WORD

The ministry is entrusted with the task of coordinating and assigning the readers of the Word during corporate worship. It is also responsible for ensuring that the readers are trained and prepared to proclaim the Word of God. It is the living faith in Christ and in His Words that renders the heart fertile. Thus in this way, the gathered assembly through the clear and prayerful proclamation of the Word pays reverence to Him with faith and gratitude.

TRAINING

On-going training and development of members serving the community through the Word Ministry is a priority. These include the training of lectors, writers, and publishers. Jesus managed by objectives. He prepared Himself from childhood to accomplish His mission. Just so the ministry, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, must equip its workers with the practical knowledge to accomplish his/her responsibilities with the humility and wisdom of Christ.

CELEBRATING THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

GUIDELINES

The First Reading

After the opening prayer, the assembly is seated, there is a brief period of silence, and the liturgy of the word begins. The first reading is proclaimed by a reader, trained and designated for that purpose. After the opening prayer, when all have been seated, the reader reverently approaches the lectern to announce the word of God.

Upon reaching the lectern, the reader waits until all are attentive and ready to listen to the word of God, then he or she begins announcing A reading from…. The reader does not say Our first reading is a reading from…It is obvious to the assembly that this is the first reading of the liturgy. Nor does the reader mention the heading printed before each scripture passage. These caption, usually chosen from the text itself, are meant to highlight the theme of a reading and to make connections between the readings of the same Mass. They are not there to be proclaimed to the assembly. "The sole title to be announced is the one indicating the book of the Bible or, wherever applicable, its author."

When the reader has finished proclaiming the word of God, he/she pauses for a moment, then proclaims, The word of the Lord. The reader does not elevate the Lectionary as he/she says this acclamation, since the word of the Lord referred to is the word just announced to the assembly, not the printed text.

"At the conclusion of the reading, The Word of the Lord" may be sung, even by someone other than the reader; all respond with the acclamation. In this way the gathered assembly pays reverence to the word of God it has listened to in faith and gratitude." After the acclamation of the assembly the reader should remain at the lectern and by his/her bodily posture lead the assembly in a brief period of reflection. Afterward, the reader gracefully moves from the lectern, which is now approached by the psalmist.

The Responsorial Psalm

The responsorial psalm should be led by a psalmist or cantor of the psalm from the same lectern used for the first and second readings and the gospel. Like them, it too is the inspired word of God and "an integral part of the liturgy of the word." As the word of God, the psalm is not replaced with other hymns or songs. "The choice of texts are not from the Psalter (permitted at the entrance, offertory and communion) is not extended to the chants between the readings."

"As a rule the responsorial psalm should be sung." Preferably the psalmist should sing the verses of the psalm and the entire assembly should sing the response. While the psalm used should be that assigned to the reading, to facilitate the people's singing the response, one of the seasonal psalms found in the Lectionary may be used.

The Second Reading

After the responsorial psalm when the psalmist has left the lectern, another reader approaches to announce the second reading. "Whenever there is more than one reading, it is better to assign the readings to different readers, if available." The reader begins the second reading by simply saying A reading from…, not Our second reading is a reading from… Readers do not count off the readings for the assembly. If this were the case the gospel reading would begin with the words, Our third reading is…. This is ended by saying, "The Word of the Lord."

After the silent reflection following the second reading, the reader should remove the Lectionary as he/she leaves the lectern so there is room for the Book of Gospels. As an object of reverence, the Lectionary should not be put on a lower shelf of the lectern. The reader might place the Lectionary on the credence table or in some other suitable place, but not one, which displays the Lectionary to the congregation.

The Gospel

The Gospel, for Friday Worship is read by the Prayer Leader. If there is a priest in the assembly, the Priest is requested to proclaim the Word of God. The leader begins the Gospel by saying: The Holy Gospel according to St.____ . This is ended by saying, "The Gospel of the Lord."

PREPARATION FOR READING

Get a copy of reading in advance. Workbook for Lectors contains all three readings (1st, 2nd, Gospel)
Read all three readings to familiarize yourself with themes or messages of the day.
Read marginal notes in Workbook but keep an open mind for your own insights.
Read your assigned reading ALOUD, paying particular attention to biblical names, locations, and any other words, which are not in your everyday-speaking vocabulary.
In your mind, "Translate" biblical text into everyday language, re-writing it as you would tell the story to another person, capturing the meaning and emotion. This will make it "real" in today's terms.
Retain the meaning and emotion, using the biblical text as written.
RECORD reading on audiotape, STANDING UP, using the introductory phrase and concluding with "The Word of the Lord."
Repeat #7 until you have captured the meaning and can deliver it with CLARITY and ENERGY!!

ON THE DAY YOU ARE TO READ

Before leaving home, read aloud one more time to get the voice "up".
Get to church at least 15 minutes in advance.
Check the Lectionary for page number and ribbon placement.
Read the intercessions aloud, checking names and pronunciation.
Have quiet time to prepare yourself mentally and spiritually.
Remember the importance of your mission.
GO FORTH WITH CONFIDENCE: "Speech finely framed delighteth the ears." 2 Maccabees, 15:39