Director of Sacred Music

Location

Name of Facility: St. Patrick Catholic Church of Gretna
Address
508 W. Angus Street
Gretna, Nebraska
68028

Submitted By

Name: Jolene Jefferies
Email: jmjefferies@archomaha.org

Description

Department: Music
Reports to: Pastor as General Supervisor and Parish Manager as Admin Supervisor

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Director Sacred Music is responsible for the administration, planning, coordination of sacred music in the liturgy, and the scheduling and supervision of all music ministries in the parish.

• Works with the pastor to manifest his vision for the liturgical year, liturgical season, and sacramental celebrations.
• Plans, coordinates, and schedules liturgical music and musicians for weekend liturgies, holy days, sacramental celebrations, and special liturgical events (e.g. Advent Lessons and Carols) including weddings and funerals.
• Develops and maintains a music program for the parish preschool.
• Fosters parishioner participation in the Mass.
• Prepares a rolling three month written liturgical schedule.
• Serves as principal organist/accompanist at the Saturday evening Mass and three Sunday Masses, all holy day Masses, funerals, and weddings.
• Runs weekly choir practice.
• Directs cantor, choirs (adult, men’s, children’s choirs) and liturgical musicians at the 10:00AM Sunday Mass.
• Manages the booking and arranging of music for instruments and ensembles as needed.
• Assists wedding couples in planning music for weddings.
• Assists families in the planning of music for the funerals.
• Works with the staff to create and print worship aids for parish liturgies, as needed.
• Works to recruit and form new music ministers.
• Oversees maintenance of musical instruments (piano and organ) and music equipment.
• Prepares and manages the budget for the parish music program and liturgical services in collaboration with parish manager.
• Collaborates with staff, e.g., preschool director, pastoral minister for liturgy, RE director, youth minister, etc., to coordinate and ensure appropriate music for all sacramental celebrations and provides them with consultation and needed assistance.
• Works to foster unity among music ministers and helps create a spirit of harmony with the presider and all liturgical ministers.
• Maintains and develops parish music resources library.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Essential Relationships:
• Pastor – general supervisor.
• Parish Manager – administrative supervisor.
• Parish Staff – close cooperation and communication and seek staff involvement and input when appropriate.
• Archdiocesan Director of Worship – for support and ongoing formation opportunities.
• Archdiocesan Director of Music – for support and ongoing formation opportunities.
Member of the Parish Staff:
• Participates in all staff meetings.
• Participates in staff planning.
• Prepares calendars with coordinators of ministries and parish staff.
• Participates in meetings of the Parish Pastoral Council.
Qualifications, Competencies, Skills:
• A significant ability to form relationships with parishioners, volunteers, and staff members.
• A solid understanding of liturgy and the role of sacred music in liturgy.
• A bachelor’s degree in music, liturgy, organ performance, choral directing or a related field.
• Significant keyboard skill with organ experience.
• Knowledgeable of and comfortable with sacred music proper to Catholic liturgy and musical settings for the assembly, choirs, vocalists, and instrumentalists.
• Some experience preferred.
• Proficient computer skills: Microsoft Office, Google Suite.
• Effective team management skills.

Education and Experience
Education/Formation
• Builds a team spirit among cantors, choir members, instrumentalists, and accompanists.
• Directs parish music ministers to available training workshops and formation opportunities.
• Serves as a resource consultant for parish concerns regarding music by helping to educate staff, ministers of music, and the assembly in developing their potential to understand the role of Sacred Music in worship and to celebrate liturgies of musical quality.
• Keeps abreast of current developments in liturgy and music.
• Works in cooperation with the pastor to provide liturgical formation to parishioners.

Application Instructions

• This position requires regular evening and weekend work and therefore the Director of Sacred Music must manage his/her time, taking days off as appropriate, and with the approval of the pastor and parish manager.
• This position offers two different work options: (1) FULL-TIME – a flexible full-time position of 30 hours/week (minimum requirement to receive full benefits and healthcare coverage) or a flexible full-time position of 40 hours/week; or (2) PART-TIME – a flexible part-time position of 20-25 hours/week.
• Salary commensurate with choice of work option and experience.

TO APPLY: Interested applicants should submit to Jolene Jefferies, Parish Manager, a cover letter, a complete resume, contact information for three references. If possible, we'd also like to receive and review recordings of representative organ/piano skills, singing and playing, and conducting. Send this information to: jmjefferies@archomaha.org. Please include your name on each sent file. For questions, call St. Patrick at 402-332-4444.