Director of Worship
@ St. John Bosco, Parma Heights
Parma Heights, Ohio
No formal education required
Flexible
contingent upon ability
DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP
St. John Bosco Parish, Parma Heights
Vital Stats:
Full time, exempt
Experienced musician
A true leader
In love with Jesus and His Church
St. John Bosco Parish, serving Parma Heights, is seeking a full time director of worship. This person must be a capable musician (no minimum required education, but experience is a positive) who loves Jesus and His Church. Responsible for directing the music at various liturgies, and incorporating the skills of a number of volunteer musicians and vocalists, candidates must be good with people and exemplify the qualities of a servant leader. Reporting directly to the Pastor of the parish, the Director of Worship will be tasked with the responsibility not just of leading the worship, but also planning Masses and teaching the assembly.
About the Parish:
Founded in 1963, we are fortunate to still have a number of our founders involved in the life of the parish. With roughly 1,500 households registered, we are a middling size parish in a mostly blue-collar neighborhood. Most of those who visit St. John Bosco for the first time comment on how welcoming the parish is, and those who stick around echo Tertullian who said about the Christians: “See how they love one another.”
About the Music Ministry:
Under visionary leadership most of the last 30 years, SJB is known for its liturgical music. A local pioneer in the LifeTeen movement until 2008, the inspiration for lively worship continues to this day. The music for which St. John Bosco is known has been and will remain uplifting, inspiring, and reflective of the Scriptures proclaimed at Mass. A number of committed volunteers have been involved and should stay involved including vocalists (adult choir, small ensembles, and cantors) and musicians (strings and percussion). For major solemnities, guest musicians have rounded out the ordinary efforts of this ministry.
Responsibilities:
As stated above, the director of worship would not only conduct the sung praise, but would be responsible to plan, teach, and direct the efforts of the volunteer musicians. This includes weekend Masses (one Saturday Vigil and two Masses on Sunday), Thursday evenings (Eucharistic Holy Hour and Mass), and weddings and funerals as they are scheduled. Some clerical work is required for this job. To remain compliant with copyright laws, the director of worship must document and report musical selections. Further, the director of worship will need to compose or delegate the composition of musical accompaniment and lyric slides to aid the participation at Thursday and Sunday Masses.
Of special note, we have a growing partnership with Incarnate Word Academy, and as you assist with Masses at the local Catholic school, you will be able to grow a youth choir to assist at the occasional Sunday Mass at the parish.
Other Qualifications:
- This is a ministerial position: as such, candidate must be a practicing Catholic in full communion with the Church.
- This minister should be able, when needed, to lead worship by him/herself. A preference will be given to candidates who are capable musicians and vocalists.
- While you will report directly to the pastor, this position is a leadership position. You will be expected to be a self-starter and to remain motivated to bring tasks to completion.
- Managing a team of volunteers in music ministry, you must be an effective communicator so as to make good use of their limited time.