Job Description

• Job title: Director of Sacred Liturgy and Parish Ministries

• Work Locations: Good Shepherd Catholic Parish Main Office; St. Mary’s Church; Holy Family Church; St. Charles Church

• Department/Group: Liturgy and Ministries

• Reports to: Fr. Alex Chavez, Pastor; and Dcn. Henry Medina, Director of Administration

• Full-time

• Exempt

• Salary: $65,000 - $75,000

 

Job Summary:  

The Director of Sacred Liturgy and Parish Ministries (hereafter “Director”) oversees all aspects of the liturgical life of the parish and of the activities of the parish ministries in collaboration with the Pastor. In the Liturgy Department, the DLM works with the clergy, staff, volunteers, and parishioners in the planning, directing, and execution of parish liturgies; the recruitment, training, and scheduling of liturgical volunteers; the acquisition of liturgical supplies and resources; the maintenance of church sacristies and sanctuaries; and the education of parishioners in liturgical theology and proper liturgical participation. In the Ministries Department, the DLM collaborates with clergy, parish staff, the Ministries Coordinating Committee (MCC), and the leaders of the ministries in the review of event requests to ensure adherence to parish and diocesan policies; the management of the parish safe environment procedures and records; the scheduling of special events and activities in parish facilities, including diocesan events; and the processing of volunteer applications. The DLM also serves as the parish safe environment coordinator. The DLM should have a good working knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching, including: issues of life and the dignity of the human person; the call to family, community, and participation; rights and responsibilities; preferential option for the poor and vulnerable; the dignity of work and the rights of workers; solidarity; and care for God’s creation.

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Duties/Responsibilities:

• Oversees the planning, directing, and execution of all parish liturgies and sacramental celebrations in collaboration with the Pastor and Parochial Vicars

• Communicates regularly with the Pastor to give and receive guidance on liturgical matters and to seek approval for liturgical decisions

• At the request or direction of the Pastor, may serve as the Master of Ceremonies for parish liturgies

• Serves as the direct supervisor of all liturgical volunteers

• Collaborates closely with the Director of Sacred Music for cohesive liturgical planning

• In accordance with the policies, vision, and direction of the Pastor, recruits, trains, and provides ongoing formation for qualified volunteers for all lay liturgical ministries: sacristans, lectors, extraordinary ministers of holy communion, altar servers, and greeters

• In collaboration with the heads of each liturgical ministry, provides continuous evaluation and feedback to liturgical volunteers, commending areas of excellence and recommending areas of improvement

• Coordinates with sacristans and maintenance staff for the opening, closing, and setup of parish churches for all liturgical functions of the parish or the diocese

• Schedules all liturgical volunteers for parish liturgies using the Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) software

• Communicates appropriately and in a timely manner with all who are involved in or are affected by liturgical celebrations, including but not limited to: parish staff, maintenance personnel, parish ministries, parish volunteers, diocesan staff, diocesan ministries, and school personnel

• Communicates regularly with the Priests’ Secretary to receive and publish clergy liturgy assignments

• Assists the President of the Guild of St. Joseph and the President of the Guild of St. Therese with all activities of the parish Guilds

• Communicates regularly with the President of the Guild of St. Joseph and the President of the Guild of St. Therese regarding the scheduling of altar boys, junior sacristans, and junior greeters

• Examines the church sacristies and sanctuaries on a weekly basis for proper upkeep and maintenance, and performs any cleaning, organizing, restocking of supplies, or submission of work orders that is needed

• Oversees the liturgical arts and environment volunteers to ensure the church’s liturgical spaces are properly decorated and maintained according to the liturgical season and the vision of the Pastor

• Oversees the cleanliness of parish liturgical vestments and takes them to be dry cleaned as needed

• Recruits, trains, and oversees volunteers for the proper care and cleaning of liturgical linens

• Prepares purchase orders and check requests for liturgical supplies, submits them to the Director of Administration, and carries out purchases from appropriate vendors after receiving approval

• Plans ahead for liturgical functions; anticipates needs; and regularly communicates questions, ideas, and issues to the Pastor

• Prepares the Sunday Prayer of the Faithful in a timely fashion, obtains accurate Spanish translations, and prints and distributes the final drafts to the churches for the weekend liturgies

• Prepares, prints, and distributes worship aids for parish liturgies in collaboration with the Director of Sacred Music

• Prepares appropriate communications regarding the liturgy for publication in the parish bulletin, parish website, and parish social media, or for announcement at Masses

• Creates and maintains appropriate records of all liturgical volunteers

• Creates, updates, and disseminates parish liturgical guidelines, policies, and training manuals after receiving approval from the Pastor

• Maintains accurate and orderly financial records for the Liturgy Department and produces departmental financial reports and safe environment reports monthly for review by the Pastor and the Director of Administration

• Meets with the Pastor and Parochial Vicars on a regular basis to plan parish liturgies and to receive assignments

• Chairs the meetings of the Liturgy Committee, takes detailed notes, and disseminates minutes to all Committee members

• Ensures that all parish liturgical policies, procedures, and practices are being followed by all liturgical volunteers

• Oversees safe environment compliance for all parish employees and volunteers

• Stays informed regarding updates, changes, and developments in liturgical policies and practices and communicates these to the Pastor

• Administers the parish’s safe environment program in conformity to diocesan policies and submits all required reports to the Director of Administration for review and approval on a monthly basis

• Stays up to date on the activities and needs of the Ministries Coordinating Committee and provides administrative support as needed

• Maintains strict confidentiality of all information pertaining to parish business

• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned by the Director of Administration, Parochial Vicars, or Pastor

 

Essential qualities and skills:

• Strong Faith and Commitment: A deep understanding and personal commitment to the Catholic faith, as well as a genuine dedication to serving the parish community.

• Liturgical Knowledge: Familiarity with the structure and elements of the Catholic liturgy, including the Mass, the sacraments, and other liturgical rites. This includes knowing the liturgical calendar, readings, prayers, and rituals.

• Attention to Detail: The ability to ensure all aspects of the liturgy are prepared and executed correctly, including the setup of the sanctuary, preparation of the liturgical books, and coordination of liturgical ministers.

• Organizational Skills: The capability to organize, coordinate, and direct all aspects of the liturgy, including scheduling volunteers, planning liturgical celebrations, and managing liturgical supplies.

• Communication Skills: Effective written, verbal, and nonverbal communication with the Pastor, other clergy, liturgical ministers, parish staff, and the parish community. This includes providing clear instructions and feedback.

• Flexibility and Adaptability: The ability to adjust to changes and unforeseen circumstances that may arise during liturgical preparations and celebrations.

• Pastoral Sensitivity: An understanding of the pastoral needs of the congregation and the ability to respond with compassion and care, particularly in sacramental and special liturgies such as weddings, funerals, and baptisms.

• Team Player: The ability to work collaboratively with other parish staff, volunteers, and ministries to ensure a smooth and prayerful liturgical experience.

• Leadership Skills: The ability to lead and inspire volunteers, fostering a spirit of cooperation and reverence among those who assist in the liturgy.

• Language Skills: High proficiency in the English language; proficiency in Spanish desired

• Commitment to Ongoing Formation: A willingness to engage in continuous learning and development in liturgical practices and theology to better serve the parish community.

• Technological Proficiency: Familiarity with the technology used in liturgical preparations, such as Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP); Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, and Outlook; Google Drive; FlockNote; and ParishSoft; and ability to evaluate and recommend software for liturgical use

 

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in liturgy, theology, or a related field, or equivalent experience

• Previous experience in a liturgical or pastoral role within a parish or diocese

• Experience coordinating and planning Roman Catholic liturgical celebrations, including the Mass, the sacraments, and other rituals

• Experience as a liturgical Master of Ceremonies preferred

• Experience managing and coordinating volunteers, especially in a liturgical setting

 

Confidentiality Clause:

As a Catholic parish employee, you will be entrusted with sensitive and confidential information. It is imperative that you uphold the highest standards of confidentiality. By accepting this position, you agree to the following:

• Confidential Information: You will have access to personal, financial, and operational information concerning parishioners, staff, and the parish itself. This includes but is not limited to, personal contact information, donation records, appointment details, and strategic plans.

• Non-Disclosure: You agree not to disclose any confidential information to any third party without explicit written consent from the parish administration. This obligation remains in effect both during and after your employment.

• Use of Information: You agree to use confidential information solely for the purpose of fulfilling your job responsibilities and not for any personal gain or in any manner that could harm the parish or its members.

• Security Measures: You will take all necessary steps to protect confidential information, including but not limited to, securing physical documents, safeguarding electronic data, and ensuring private conversations remain private.

• Reporting Breaches: You agree to immediately report any breach of confidentiality, whether accidental or intentional, to your supervisor or the parish administration.

• Consequences of Breach: A breach of confidentiality is a serious offense and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, as well as possible legal action.

 

By accepting this position, you acknowledge your understanding of these confidentiality obligations and agree to adhere to them diligently.