Hours Per Week: 40
Position Description:
The Assistant Director of Liturgy and Music is a full-time position that reports to the Director of Liturgy and Music and assists in managing all aspects of worship. This includes playing organ/piano and leading choirs/instrumental ensembles, managing music and musicians, coordinating liturgical ministry volunteers, overseeing liturgical materials and supplies, instruments and sound/video equipment and other duties as assigned. The Assistant will have a thorough understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy and liturgical music to assist the Director, in dialogue with the Pastor, to focus on defining, developing and implementing a comprehensive liturgy and music program.
Responsibilities:
- Accompany (organ/piano) and/or conduct parish choirs as required including vocal choir, children's choir, handbells and contemporary music.
- Help train and coordinate liturgical volunteers.
- Support the activities of the parish’s Liturgical Commission, working closely with its Chair and Ministry Coordinators. These activities include the recruitment, education, on-going training, and spiritual formation for liturgical ministers.
- Assist the Director in planning the Sunday Masses, Holy Days of Obligation, Holy Week, Easter Vigil, Liturgies of the Word, Communion Services, Rites and liturgical services in conjunction with OCIA Team, Faith Formation Teams for First Eucharist and Confirmation, Other special liturgical events (e.g. Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, etc.)
- Assist in the plans for Funeral Rites (Vigil, Mass, Committal) and Rites of Marriage
- In the absence of the Director assume the role of leading musician, accompanist, or choral director, for all liturgies including funerals and marriages. (Secure qualified substitute(s) only with the Pastors approval as necessary and appropriate)
- Direct weekly rehearsals for cantors, choirs and musicians as needed
- Select/provide/prepare worship aids, including hymnals/song books, for liturgies
- Prepare liturgical scripts
- Maintain the music library and secure necessary copyrights/licenses
- Maintain liturgical resources, supplies, musical instruments and assure that audio and video systems function appropriately
- Maintain parish technology systems for worship, including sound systems, video recording and broadcast, and audio/video production.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong organizational and leadership skills
- Strong interpersonal communications skills with the ability to observe, question, listen, give and accept feedback, and deal with changes
- Knowledgeable in the liturgical practices of the Church and the ability to integrate with music
- Must be comfortable with multiple technology platforms such as volunteer management system, ministry planning systems, music software, audio/video equipment and Microsoft Office.
- Proficiency as a keyboard player – piano and preferably organ
- Understanding of acoustics and audio systems, especially as they pertain to the space in which the parish worships
- Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently
- Weekend and evening work required.
Qualifications/Education:
- Practicing Catholic in full communion with the Church
- Bachelor's degree in music preferably with specialized training in organ and piano
- Experience serving a parish music ministry
- Employment is contingent upon applicant satisfactorily passing background and reference checks.
- Must complete diocese-sponsored Safe Environment Training.