Director of Music and Liturgy

ST. ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH
JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Director of Music & Liturgy (Parish Organist)

Responsible To: The Pastor of St. Aloysius Church

Status: Exempt

DESCRIPTION

The Director of Music & Liturgy is a management position in support of the Pastor's responsibilities to St. Aloysius Parish and reports to the Pastor. The Director of Music & Liturgy is an active member of the parish Pastoral Staff and works with the parish's musical and liturgical ministries. The Director of Music & Liturgy is responsible for enhancing the worship life of the parish community through their music and liturgy, encouraging the worshiping assemblies to full and active participation.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITES AND DUTIES

A. Participating member of the parish Pastoral Staff.
B. Advises the Pastor regarding parish liturgical policies and guidelines.
C. Attends all meetings that are appropriate to this position, or at the request of the Pastor.
D. Serves as resource to school personnel and parish groups preparing for liturgical celebrations.
E. Adheres to, and promotes, the Catholic Church's dogmatic, sacramental and moral teachings.
F. Understands, supports and implements the liturgical rules of the Church and the liturgical norms of the Diocese of Toledo.
G. Applies good moral values in performance and relationships with parish and diocesan personnel and individuals served by the parish.
H. Prepares and recommends an annual music/liturgy budget to the Pastor and Finance Manager.
I. Provides timely information for the parish website and parish publications.
J. Prepares worship aids as needed insuring compliance with all Copyright Laws and guidelines.
K. Maintain professional demeanor in completing his/her tasks and also taking appropriate time off for rest and relaxation.
L. Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the mechanical systems around the
parish plant, such as lighting, PA system, security system, locks, etc.

MUSIC MINISTRY RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Oversees all Music Ministry personnel (music ministers - Advisory to Folk Ensemble).
b. Schedules various ensembles, instrumentalists and cantors.
c. Primary accompanist on the organ and piano. Serves as choral director.
d. Includes music of varying styles, employing pastoral, musical, and liturgical judgments in the selection and utilization of music for worship.
e. Planning and preparing music for all parish liturgies (in collaboration with others), including funerals, weddings, school masses, and other special occasions as they arise. Weekday morning Masses are excluded.
f. Maintaining music libraries and musical resources in an orderly fashion.
g. Seeing to the tuning and maintenance of the various parish owned musical instruments.
h. Maintain musical performance skills with regular and disciplined personal practice.
i. Schedule and conduct regular rehearsals with choirs, handbell ensembles, cantors, soloists, and instrumentalists as needed.

LITURGICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Coordinate the recruitment, scheduling, training and ongoing formation of all liturgical ministers, and collaborate with the leaders of the various ministries.
B. Remain current with developments in sacramental theology, the requirements of canon law, national liturgical practice and diocesan policies and guidelines.
C. Help provide for parish liturgical catechesis and understanding.
D. Coordinate preparation for weekend and special liturgies. Prepare general intercessions and other liturgical texts as needed. Mark and place Lectionary and Gospel book to be ready for mass.
E. In consultation with others, oversee the art and environment, including flower arrangements, in the Church.
F. Assist engaged couples and bereaved families in preparing wedding and funeral liturgies.
G. Maintain a library with current liturgical resources.
H. Assist school faculty with weekly school mass planning. Plan and provide a music listing for school masses and rehearse student cantors. Establish a professional relationship with the school music teacher, especially for cantor and class scheduling for school masses.
I. Be attentive to the cleanliness of the church, sacristy and everything within (vestments, linens, sacred vessels, candles, etc.) Report any maintenance or cleaning needs to the appropriate staff or volunteers.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

A. Respect and be able to communicate with people of diverse musical, liturgical styles and tastes. Agreeing with them is not a requirement, but treating them gently is!
B. Be knowledgeable of, and submissive to, the teachings of the Church.
C. Supervisory experience.
D. Ability to maintain good public relations within and outside the parish community.
E. Exhibit good interpersonal and communication skills.
F. Ability to see the "total picture" and suggest procedures to improve existing structures and systems as needed.
G. Flexibility in the work environment.
H. Ability to be pro-active, as well as collaborative.
I. Excellent self-management and organizational skills.
J. Dress appropriately for the liturgical and working environment.
K. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

EDUCATIONAL TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE

A. Music and/or Liturgy degree (Bachelors and/or Masters)
B. Well-developed keyboard skills. Choral conducting training and experience. Working
knowledge of handbell technique and music, and the mechanics of a tracker pipe organ.
C. Five years or more of liturgy and music experience in a parish or similar environment.
D. Faithful and practicing Catholic.
E. Computer skills
F. Ability to pass an FBI/BCI backround check.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

A. Maintain a valid driver's license.
B. Be physically able to move equipment and instruments as need for rehearsals and liturgy......15-25 lbs. Recruit assistance as needed.
C. Be able to climb the stairs into the choir loft.

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