Description
Job Summary
Music is an integral part of the life of this parish. The CME exercises an important ministry that reaches out to the staff, English choir members, parishioners, and the broader community. With the cooperation and assistance of all the parish ministers, the CME will support the gospel message through song, and challenge the assembly to live it more fully. The CME oversees the English music program at St. Albert the Great. The CME serves as the parish accompanist and vocal coach during English practices and English liturgical services. This position requires a weekend and evening work schedule.
Ministerial Character
The Pastor is the visible principle and foundation of unity in the parish of St. Albert the Great which the Bishop has entrusted to him. He makes Christ’s mission present and enduring in the parish. In order to fulfill his mission, the Pastor employs suitable, chosen collaborators (clerics, religious, or lay people). He shares with them his mission and entrusts various responsibilities to them.
Positions employed at St. Albert the Great help to extend the ministry of the Pastor in particular ways as outlined in the job description. Therefore, the employee in this position is closely connected to and assists the Pastor in the performance of his ministry and thereby engages in ministry for the Church.
Major Areas of Responsibility
- As an integral part of your ministry for the Church as carried out in this position, support and uphold the philosophy of Catholic ministry and the mission of St. Albert the Great in both your professional and personal life.
- Act as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- Continuously grow in your ministry by participating in religious ceremonies, training sessions, and reflection activities as directed.
- Responsible for the planning and preparation of music for English liturgical celebrations.
- Responsible for accompaniment/cantor services for the parish to include English Masses, funerals, weddings, and other liturgical events as necessary.
- Prepare for and play at English Masses on Saturday, Sunday, and Holydays. Normally, the CME will be responsible for playing weekly at Masses on Saturday 5 PM, Sunday 10 AM, Sunday 12 PM, and Sunday 5 PM, and at occasional special Masses and liturgical events (as shown on the Parish Liturgical Calendar prepared annually).
- Runs a weekly English choir practice.
- Coordinates the scheduling of the English choirs and cantors.
- Prepares Worship Aids or Songsheets for certain liturgies (as shown on the Parish Liturgical Calendar prepared annually).
- Is a member of the LLT (Liturgical Leadership Team) and attends a weekly LLT meeting.
- Attends weekly staff meetings as often as possible.
- Responsible for budgeting and ordering music supplies for English choirs.
- Occasionally plays at Youth and Young Adult Ministry events as requested.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Knowledge of the structure and basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
- Previous experience as a choir director for a Catholic parish is strongly preferred.
- Fully initiated, practicing Catholic preferred.
- Must be proficient in piano and organ keyboards, and have familiarity with a variety of musical instruments.
- Must be able to organize choirs and lead their overall musical performance.
- Must be able to direct vocalists.
- Must have a working knowledge of Roman Catholic Liturgies as detailed in the Roman Missal and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), and the ability to integrate and carry out musical requirements.
- Effective communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to collaborate with others, are essential.
- Basic computer and word processing skills are required (familiarity with the Google platform and applications is a plus).
- Overall dependability, responsiveness, and accessibility are very important.
