Director of Liturgy

PARISH MISSION:

Guided by the Holy Spirit, we are a community centered in the Eucharist. We seek to live our faith, to grow in holiness, and to proclaim the love of Christ through service to all.

JOB PURPOSE:

As part of the parish leadership team, the Director of Liturgy collaborates with the pastor, principal, director of business operations, parish and finance councils, and parishioners in implementing the parish mission. The Director is to lead and effectively manage parish staff and numerous volunteer ministry leaders in the liturgical experience for the parish.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

Fostering conscious, active and full participation of the faithful in the liturgy, the Director facilitates the worship life of the parish community by coordinating people and processes, providing quality liturgical experiences which celebrate and strengthen the parishioners journey of faith.

• Creates an alignment of liturgical ministries and reporting structure for minister development
• Effectively leads to expand and improve existing department ministries
• Identifies and recruits to fill ministry gaps by utilizing staff, priests, parishioner feedback and the parish database
• Leads the proposal process for new ministry starts as well as existing ministry evaluations and support

REPORTS:

Direct Manager: Pastor

Guidance & Inspiration: Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

TYPE:

Exempt, Salaried, Full time: 40+ hours per week with benefits

Able to work flexible schedule (nights, weekends)

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (to include but not limited to)

Management:

• Recruits, trains, schedules and coordinates the liturgical ministers of the parish, including extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, ushers and greeters, sacristans
• Supervises the worship environment within the constraints of budget
• Uses imagination to prepare each liturgical season within the expectation of the pastor including the utilization and performance of the sound system and automated lighting system
• Selects and trains extraordinary ministers to the sick and homebound and coordinates coverage to hospitals and assisted living centers
• Prepares and manages the worship budget, consulting with the pastor, accounting manager, and director of business operations
• Provides ongoing evaluation of the quality of worship celebrations and liturgical ministries
• Collaborates with other parish staff members to provide assistance or consultation for their worship responsibilities, including parish wide events
• Initiates the formation and oversees the implementation of parish policies and guidelines concerning liturgy
• Supervises and/or coordinates the music ministry of the parish
• Supervises the liturgy coordinators of the parish
• Coordinates coverage of adorers at the Adoration Chapel and ensures a respectful and clean worship space
• Coordinates funeral ministry working with families; pastor, priests, deacons, other ministers; funeral reception ministry; music; and mortuaries
• Understands and implements parish and diocesan guidelines concerning safe environment with strict adherence to the parish safe environment program

Planning:

• Directs the parish worship program, including the planning of liturgical seasons, sacramental celebrations and the liturgical calendar in collaboration with the pastor and music director according to the norms of the Rites of the Church
• Discerns parish worship and prayer needs and oversees the provision of faith-filled liturgical celebrations and sacramental services
• Assists in the liturgical formation of the parish through appropriate vehicles of communication such as bulletin, verbal announcements, liturgies, workshops or seminars
• Coordinates development of the liturgical spirit of the parish and fosters an atmosphere of hospitality, concord, and prayerfulness
• Maintains knowledge of developments in sacramental theology, canon law, liturgical practice and diocesan policies and guidelines and updates parish on these matters
• Maintains stock of liturgical supplies from appropriate vendors including hosts, wine, candles, vestments, incense, and others as necessary
• Collaborates with Facilities and Maintenance Department to ensure a proper functioning worship environment
• Coordinates with Altar & Rosary society and flower ministry
• Oversees the maintenance and good condition of the liturgical supplies and implements owned by the church including all sacred vessels, vestments, linens, candlesticks, art, & environment supplies
• Maintains a liturgy library to provide current resources for use in liturgies

Other:

• Active and resourceful in appropriate archdiocesan organizations and liturgical events
• Serves as a leader of prayer when appropriate
• Visibly present at all principal parish events and attuned to the living faith and real concerns of parishioners

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE PROFILE:

• Management ability including effective sourcing, training, delegation and follow-up of ministry leaders
• Proactive planner with vision and ability to execute wide variety of liturgical functions
• Ability to plan, coordinate and communicate with management, staff, and volunteers involved in parish programs
• Skilled at interpersonal relationships with experience and knowledge to deal with negative situations effectively. Determination to give constructive feedback when appropriate for desired results
• Ability to work as a team player and to encourage team building whenever possible with staff as well as designated team leaders within liturgical ministries
• Trained and experienced in development, theory, and practices in Vatican II Catholic Liturgy
• Related education and experience necessary to perform liturgical coordination responsibilities, preferably with a Bachelor’s degree in theology, liturgy, or pastoral studies or equivalent experience or education
• Active member of a Roman Catholic parish faith community
• Parish experience required
• Ability to monitor expenses and maintain a budget in consultation with pastor and/or business manager

PROFILE FOR SUCCESS:

• Cooperation and teamwork: Works well with others
• Judgment in job performance: Decision making ability
• Reliability and quality of work: Achieves results
• Mission of the Church: Connects the work of the parish office to the parishioner experience
• Takes initiative: Develops continuously
• Communication: Professional demeanor and interpersonal skills; maintains joy-filled manner
• Supervision and leadership: Leads courageously

The position requires a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church and an active member of a Roman Catholic Parish.

As all Archdiocesan employees represent the Roman Catholic Church, they are expected to conduct themselves according to the teachings, goals and mission of the Church in performing their work. Every employee of St. Mary Catholic Parish is expected to model virtue and justice:

• Create a warm, welcoming, positive and cheerful workplace for both staff and parishioners
• Foster respect and dignity of all, do not gossip, do not slander or malign others
• Embrace a spirit of docility, obedience, and accept the leadership and vision of the Pastor
• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job
• Demonstrate reliability, punctuality and personal integrity, personal issues do not interfere with managing work responsibilities
• Adhere to business professional dress code