St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Mundelein, IL, is searching for a new Director of Music and Liturgy to assist the Pastor with overall efforts to ensure our parishioners encounter Jesus Christ through prayer, the sacraments, and worship. We are a vibrant parish of 1500 families located in suburban Chicago but in a rural setting. We have a long tradition of well-prepared and joyfully celebrated liturgy and music that foster the Eucharistic celebration as the source and summit of the Christian life.
We seek a Director who will provide leadership in the planning, execution and celebration of all parish liturgical celebrations with responsibility for preparing both liturgical and musical elements. The Director will help the parish worship and celebrate through a balance of contemporary and traditional musical styles while encouraging the full, active and conscious participation of the assembly in the liturgy. As a member of the Pastoral Staff, the Director is expected to take an active role in the full life of the parish.
Major responsibilities include:
• Lead the planning and preparation for liturgical seasons, Sundays, holy days, sacrament celebrations, and special liturgies in collaboration with staff members and the parish Worship Commission. This includes preparing the texts for Sunday, holy day and special liturgies, including the penitential rite, Universal Prayer and announcements.
• Provides music for Sunday worship and other major liturgical celebrations including but not limited to: holy days, Triduum, funerals, weddings, parish missions, communal reconciliation services and sacramental celebrations. Serves as choir director and accompanist.
• Selects the music to be used in parish liturgical celebrations, respecting the liturgical calendar, norms, and the established repertoire of the community. Reviews musical plans with the Pastor. Carefully grows the parish repertoire over time.
• Coordinates parish liturgy teams (e.g. lectors, communion ministers, servers, musicians, art & environment, sacristans, ushers, etc.) with their leaders to ensure liturgies are well planned, vibrant, and in fidelity to the official liturgical books and Catholic liturgical theology. Assists those ministries with recruitment and formation.
• Coordinates and schedules the musicians, choirs and cantors to ensure that all liturgies are well-planned and vibrant. Directs, rehearses, recruits, trains and builds the parish choirs, cantors and instrumentalists who aid the full and active participation of the assembly.
Principal Requirements include the following skills and experience:
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with clergy, staff, parish leaders and volunteers. Excellent teamwork, leadership and communication skills (interpersonal, oral, and written).
• Demonstrated ability to prepare both the liturgies and music for seasons, rites, and Eucharistic & sacramental celebrations. Knowledge of the Church's official liturgical books and various rites.
• Practicing Catholic who understands and supports Catholic Church teaching, mission, and values. Ability to comfortably witness to one's own faith journey.
• Strong MS Office computer skills, especially Word and Outlook.
• Education Preferred: Undergraduate Degree in Liturgy, Sacred Music, Pastoral Studies, Theological Studies, or equivalent.
• Experience Required: 3 years of experience participating in parish liturgical and music ministries. 3 years of experience leading congregational song, choral conducting, and at least one other musical specialization (organ, piano, guitar, voice). 3 years of experience in preparing parish liturgies. Keyboard skills strongly preferred. Organ skills are a plus.
Please send a cover letter, resume, and at least two professional references to: Dcn. Howard Fischer, Director of Parish Operations, at hfischer@stmota.org; and to Fr. Joji Thanugundla, Pastor, at frjoji@stmota.org.
