Director of Music Ministry - St. John of the Cross - Western Springs - Vic. V

About the role

The Director of Music Ministry plays a crucial role in enabling parishioners to encounter Jesus Christ through music within the parish’s liturgical celebrations and worship experiences.

Responsibilities

• Support the annual planning for liturgical seasons, sacramental celebrations, and special liturgies in collaboration with the staff members and parish liturgy committee.
• Direct the parish musicians, choirs and cantors to ensure all liturgies are scheduled, well planned, and engaging.
• Provide training and formation for music ministers and musicians.
• Provide liturgical guidance in pastoral situations, including the preparation of weddings, funerals, and other special liturgies, and ensure appropriate music coverage for these celebrations.
• Collaborate with Director of Liturgy in recruiting volunteers and strive to involve newcomers and a broad spectrum of parishioners.
• Direct the creation of worship aids that are engaging, accessible, and functional to enable all attendees to fully participate in the liturgies and celebrations.
• Maintain equipment and resources for music ministry such as musical instruments, sound equipment, copyrighted material, etc.
• Provide guidance on parish opportunities or concerns regarding music, and help to educate staff, ministers of music, and the congregation in the role of music in vibrant worship.
• Stay informed of current developments in liturgy and in music as well as parish demographics to provide liturgical experiences that are welcoming and inclusive.
• Prepare and coordinate the Liturgy, Prayer and Worship budget in collaboration with the Pastor, Director of Operations and other relevant members of the pastoral staff (e.g., Director of Liturgy).
• Ensure that ministry complies with the guidelines for Protecting God’s Children for those who minister with and to children in accordance with the Archdiocese of Chicago policies.
• Develop and implement tools for improving the quality of engaging prayer and worship in the parish (e.g., welcoming, word, witness and music as benchmarks).

Requirements

• Previous experience participating in parish music ministry.
• Required proficiency in piano, organ, voice, and conducting, including experience leading congregational song and choral ensembles.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with clergy, staff, parish leaders and volunteers.
• Practicing Catholic with understanding and support for Catholic Church teaching, mission, and values.
• Knowledgeable and comfortable with Church liturgical music in all forms and styles for the congregation, choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists.
• Athorough understanding of the musical, liturgical, and pastoral judgments which must be made in selecting music for liturgy; ability to communicate and prioritize the role of music in liturgical worship.
• Comprehensive vision and understanding of evangelization.
• Ability to form and nurture a community of missionary disciples through encounter, accompaniment and sending forth.
• Mature discipleship evidenced in ability to comfortably witness to one’s own faith journey.
• Developed skills in leadership and management; strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with technology used for communicating and presenting.
• Availability to work weekends and evenings as needed.

Preferred Job Skills And Experience

• Bachelor's or master's degree in music, or equivalent.
• Previous experience leading parish music ministry; ability to plan and evaluate liturgical celebrations in fidelity to the official liturgical books and Catholic liturgical theology.
• Open to ongoing formation / education as needed.
• Language skills as needed (depending on needs of community).
• Mental and Physical Essential Job Functions