Seminarian Wiering among those instituted as lector at Pontifical North American College

Rome - On Sunday, January 14, 2007, forty-two seminarians of the Pontifical North American College were instituted into the ministry of Lector during a celebration of the Eucharist.

Diocese of New Ulm seminarian Matthew J. Wiering who is in his first year of theological studies, was among those seminarians instituted. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of Milwaukee and

former rector of the College, celebrated the Mass and instituted the new lectors.

Wiering’s home parish is the Church of St. Dionysius, Tyler. He is the son of Ronald and Rhonda Wiering of Tyler.

During his homily, Archbishop Dolan commented that proclaiming the Word of God today will result in the "change, transformation, conversion and renewal" of those who proclaim it as well as hearers and the worldwide Church. Handing the book of Sacred Scriptures to each seminarian, he said, "Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the Word of God so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His People."

The institution as lector is one of the ministerial steps leading towards diaconal and priestly ordination. As the rite indicates, a lector is charged with preaching the Word of God in the liturgical assembly, instructing children and adults in the faith, and preparing all to receive the sacraments worthily.

Founded in 1859, the Pontifical North American College is the American house of studies located in Rome, where hundreds of priests have been formed near the heart of the Church for service in dioceses around the Unites States and Australia.