Full Time
Director of Worship: St. John Bosco
St. John Bosco
Parma Hts., Ohio
DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP
St. John Bosco Parish, Parma Heights
Vital Stats:
Full time, exempt
Experienced musician
A true leader
In love with Jesus and His Church
St. John Bosco Parish, serving Parma Heights, is seeking a full time director of
worship. This person must be a capable musician (no minimum required
education, but experience is a positive) who loves Jesus and His Church.
Responsible for directing the music at various liturgies, and incorporating the skills
of a number of volunteer musicians and vocalists, candidates must be good with
people and exemplify the qualities of a servant leader. Reporting directly to the
Pastor of the parish, the Director of Worship will be tasked with the responsibility
not just of leading the worship, but also planning Masses and teaching the
assembly.
About the Parish:
Founded in 1963, we are fortunate to still have a number of our founders involved
in the life of the parish. With roughly 1,500 households registered, we are a
middling size parish in a mostly blue-collar neighborhood. Most of those who visit
St. John Bosco for the first time comment on how welcoming the parish is, and
those who stick around echo Tertullian who said about the Christians: “See how
they love one another.”
About the Music Ministry:
Under visionary leadership most of the last 30 years, SJB is known for its liturgical
music. A local pioneer in the LifeTeen movement until 2008, the inspiration for
lively worship continues to this day. The music for which St. John Bosco is known
has been and will remain uplifting, inspiring, and reflective of the Scriptures
proclaimed at Mass. A number of committed volunteers have been involved and
should stay involved including vocalists (adult choir, small ensembles, and cantors)
and musicians (strings and percussion). For major solemnities, guest musicians
have rounded out the ordinary efforts of this ministry.
Responsibilities:
As stated above, the director of worship would not only conduct the sung
praise, but would be responsible to plan, teach, and direct the efforts of the
volunteer musicians. This includes weekend Masses (one Saturday Vigil and two
Masses on Sunday), Thursday evenings (Eucharistic Holy Hour and Mass), and
weddings and funerals as they are scheduled. Some clerical work is required for
this job. To remain compliant with copyright laws, the director of worship must
document and report musical selections. Further, the director of worship will need
to compose or delegate the composition of musical accompaniment and lyric slides
to aid the participation at Thursday and Sunday Masses.
Of special note, we have a growing partnership with Incarnate Word
Academy, and as you assist with Masses at the local Catholic school, you will be
able to grow a youth choir to assist at the occasional Sunday Mass at the parish.
Other Qualifications:
1) This is a ministerial position: as such, candidate must be a practicing Catholic
in full communion with the Church.
2) This minister should be able, when needed, to lead worship by him/herself. A
preference will be given to candidates who are capable musicians and
vocalists.
3) While you will report directly to the pastor, this position is a leadership
position. You will be expected to be a self-starter and to remain motivated to
bring tasks to completion.
4) Managing a team of volunteers in music ministry, you must be an effective
communicator so as to make good use of their limited time.
Hours:
Aside from the regularly scheduled Masses (Thursday evening, Saturday evening,
Sunday morning and Holy Days), the director of worship will need to be flexible to
incorporate weddings and funerals, as well as to coordinate rehearsals with
volunteer musicians. On average, you will put in 30-40 hours per week, with much
of that being “behind the scenes.” Four weeks of vacation time are allotted, but
must be cleared with the pastor, and you will be expected to procure substitute
musicians while you are away.
To apply:
Send a resume, a cover letter indicating why you are applying for this position, and
a music sample to Fr. Matt Byrne at MByrne@sjbparmaheights.org. Auditions and
interviews will be scheduled in July and August, in the hopes of making a hire by
September 1, 2025.