St. John of the Cross 

Parish Director of Worship

Job Description

Title:                        Parish Director of Worship

Status:                     FT, Benefits eligible

Work Schedule:     Varies                             

Reports to:               Pastor   

The Parish Director of Worship is an integral member of the Parish’s Pastoral Staff with professional preparation in, and sensitivity to, the celebration of Catholic liturgy and human ritual.  This ministry provides leadership in the planning, execution, and celebration of all parish liturgies, and develops and coordinates all liturgical ministries.

In the faith life of the local community, the role of liturgy is to celebrate and challenge one’s relationship with God, one another and the world.  Therefore, liturgy necessitates a qualified person to coordinate this important aspect of parish life.

Education Requirements:

• Advanced training and education in Roman Catholic liturgy from a recognized institution
• College degree
• 3-5 years parish experience in active ministry work
• Practicing Catholic in good standing
• A personal prayer life and the ability to give witness to it
• A sense of the sacred and of ritual
• A good sense of personal presence to the parish community and the ability to articulate the parish’s spirituality into expressions of Roman Catholic worship

Competencies required:

• In-depth understanding of the theology and history of sacramental and liturgical practices.
• Ability to navigate parish roles, responsibilities, traditions and culture.
• Ability to navigate the relationship between religion and popular culture and the way this relationship plays out ecclesiastically, liturgically and devotionally in parish life
• Basic understanding of the Church’s liturgical ministries and arts.
• Familiarity with all major Church documents on liturgy, art and environment, and music.
• Ability to design and implement a cohesive liturgical ministry program across all age groups and areas of parish life (especially parish, school and Youth Catechesis program).
• Fluency in Microsoft Office programs (MS Word, Publisher, MS Outlook).

Duties and Responsibilities:

Ministry of Administration

• Collaborate with the pastor, under his supervision, and with other members of the parish staff, integrate her/his own area of responsibility with the overall parish endeavor.
• Direct and coordinate the overall parish, school and Youth Catechesis worship program including the planning of liturgical seasons, sacramental celebrations, and the yearly calendar in collaboration with the priests, deacons, music director, principal and YC director.
• Coordinate and work with the various liturgical ministers, presiders, deacons, lectors, communion ministers, servers, sacristans, writers, artists, ushers, etc.
• Oversee, in collaboration with appropriate parishioners, ministerial schedules, record keeping, calendars and worship aids.
• Prepare/manage the liturgy budget in collaboration with the pastor and business manager.
• Provide for periodic evaluation of the quality of worship programs and ministries.
• Oversee the ministry of the provision of needed materials for worship such as aesthetic décor and cleanliness of the worship space, ample supply of sacred vessels and vestments, and maintenance of an effective sound system. 
• Prepare weekly presiders’ book in conjunction with appropriate staff.

Ministry of Worship

• Discern parish, school and Youth Catechesis worship and prayer needs, and oversee the provision of quality liturgical celebrations and sacramental services, in collaboration particularly with the priests and music director.
• Collaborate with the priests, deacons, music director, principal, Youth Catechesis director, sacramental coordinators, and other staff members as needed in order to prepare liturgical and sacramental celebrations.
• Serve as a resource and collaborator with the Youth Catechesis director and principal for various school and Youth Catechesis programs which include but are not limited to: Days of the Spirit, faith group sessions and retreat days.
• Collaborate with the principal and Youth Catechesis director to resource sacramental preparation and to prepare grade level reconciliation celebrations, school and Youth Catechesis masses, and school-wide prayer opportunities including but not limited to the Living Rosary, Advent Lighting Ceremony, Ash Wednesday, Stations of the Cross, May Crowning, Ribbon Ceremony, and Graduation.
• Serve as the local parish resource to all staff members and liturgical ministers to promote an understanding and development of needed skills for the planning and execution of all parish liturgies.
• Join with others to develop the liturgical spirit of the parish, and foster an atmosphere of hospitality and harmony.
• Serve as leader of prayer in group formation sessions, when appropriate.

Ministry of Education

• Invite, motivate, train and provide formation for all volunteer liturgical ministers.
• Provide liturgical resources and in-services for staff.
• Provide formation opportunities to members of the parish at large in matters of liturgical understanding, sensitivity and planning.
• Schedule/organize events (Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation) in conjunction with Youth Catechesis and school.
• Serve as resource for parish staff retreats.
• Make information available about opportunities for growth, including AOC and Deanery workshops, programs, etc.
• Keep abreast of developments in sacramental theology, the requirements of Canon Law, liturgical practice nationally, and AOC policies and guidelines, and updates the parish on these matters.

Ministry of Evangelization

• Work to build community among already engaged parishioners and reach out to new and returning Catholics and unchurched individuals.
• Invite and encourage teens and children of the parish to serve as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers and other similar capacities.
• Seek out and celebrate the gifts of all God’s people.
• Make worship understandable and approachable for all.
• Provide prayer/liturgical opportunities for the pastoral/support staffs and teachers that nurture and encourage them to grow in their own relationship with the Divine.

Revised 11-10-2009

                If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your cover letter and resume to the attention of

                                                Marybeth Wingert

                                                St. John of the Cross Parish School    

                                                708 51^st St.

                                                Western Springs, IL 60558

                                                708-246-4454

                                                wingert@sjcross.org