The St. John-St. Paul Collaborative, located in idyllic Wellesley, Massachusetts, is currently seeking a full-time Collaborative Director of Music Ministry (CDMM) to serve its two dynamic parishes within the Archdiocese of Boston. Conveniently located just 14 miles from the heart of Boston, our Collaborative is made up of two thriving parishes, St. John the Evangelist Parish and St. Paul Parish, and almost 2800 families.
Joined together in faith and Christ's love and sharing one pastoral and administrative staff,
the Collaborative seeks to respond to God'ss call to holiness, discern God'ss plan, and respond
to the needs of God's people.
Overview of Position
The CDMM reports directly to the Pastor and works collaboratively with the Director of Liturgy
to implement a vision of unity while supporting each parish's unique liturgical history in the
area of music ministry. The CDMM supports healthy relationships and communication
between the parishes and among the music ministers and functions as an integral member
of the Collaborative staff, interacting with great collegiality with musical, pastoral, school, and
administrative staff.
General Responsibilities
- The CDMM is responsible for the comprehensive development, coordination, and oversight of
- liturgical music in the Collaborative, including:
- Planning liturgical music for all Masses, Holy Days, special liturgical celebrations, weddings and funerals in collaboration with the Director of Liturgy.
- Directing and accompanying the St. Paul and St. John Adult Choirs and the Children’s Choir.
- Establishing a schedule and leading rehearsals for the Adult and Children’s choirs.
- Hiring and managing of paid section leaders in both parishes' adult choirs.
- Hiring and scheduling of all cantors and outside organ/piano consultants, as well as additional liturgical musicians, as needed.
- Ongoing recruitment of choir members.
- Providing support for the Collaborative's thriving Contemporary Teen Music Ministry.
- Maintaining the two music libraries (one at each parish.)
- Preparing and managing the music budgets for each parish in collaboration with the Pastor and Director of Liturgy.
- Maintaining instruments and equipment.
Specific Mass/Liturgy Responsibilities
Regular Weekend Mass Schedule of 6 Masses (September - May)
- Plan, direct, and accompany the:
- Saturday 5:00pm Vigil Mass at St. John with St. John Adult Choir
- Sunday 9:00am Collaborative Family Mass with Children's Choir
- Sunday 11:00am Mass at St. Paul with St. Paul Adult Choir
- Plan music and coordinate cantors and accompanists for the:
- Saturday 4:00pm Vigil Mass at St. Paul
- Sunday 12:00pm Mass at St. John
- Serve as a resource and support as needed for the:
- Sunday 5:00pm Collaborative Youth Mass
Summer Weekend Mass Schedule of 4 Masses (June - August)
- Plan and accompany 1 Saturday Vigil Mass and 2 Sunday Masses
- Plan music and coordinate cantor and accompanist for 1 Saturday Vigil Mass
- No choirs in the summer
Funerals, Weddings, Holy Days and other Special Liturgies
- Plan, direct, and accompany:
- Funeral liturgies (approximately 100-125 per year)
- Wedding liturgies (approximately 10-15 per year)
- Monthly weekday morning school Masses
- Holy Week, Easter, and Christmas liturgies
- Holy Day and other special liturgies
- Plan music and coordinate cantors and accompanists for all concurrent liturgies.
Qualifications and Personal Attributes
- Strong organ, piano and conducting skills.
- Excellent sight reading skills.
- Strong understanding of vocal pedagogy.
- A minimum of 5-10 years of experience in a similar role.
- Familiarity with Catholic liturgical traditions and customs.
- Knowledge of and comfort with Church music literature in all forms and styles (traditional, contemporary, praise and worship) for congregation and choirs (adult, teen, and children.)
- Strong organizational, managerial, and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills.
- Ability to handle sensitive, confidential, and critical matters with good judgment,
- respect, and discretion.
Remuneration and Benefits
This full-time position offers a highly competitive salary commensurate with skills and
experience. Generous benefit package includes health insurance, dental insurance, group life
insurance, retirement contribution, and paid vacation.
Application Procedure
To apply, please submit a cover letter, CV/resume, three references, and links to videos that
demonstrate your organ/piano/conducting skills (if possible) to:
Kelly Meraw
Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy
kelly.meraw@sjspwellesley.org
Closing Date: April 30, 2024
In-Person Interviews and Auditions: Late April - May 2024
Start Date June 2024 (negotiable)
All appointments are subject to CORI clearance and Virtus training in Child Protection. Any
questions may also be sent to the above email address.