Assistant to the Director of Liturgy

Job Description

Title: Assistant to the Director of Liturgy
Grade: Hourly, Part-time
Department: Liturgy
Supervisor: Pastor
Date: May 1, 2025

Note: We invite you to apply for this position at the link below. Just copy the URL and paste into your browser. Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you.

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/697761fa-096c-46b3-bd3a-91f3dacec741/St-Mary-Magdalene-Roman-Catholic-Parish-Gilbert

Purpose and Scope

To support the Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Parish in witnessing the love of Jesus Christ through evangelization, catechesis, discipleship, and the celebration of the Mass and the Sacraments. This hourly part-time position assists the Director of Liturgy of SMM parish in overseeing all parish activities pertaining to the Sacred Liturgy, Pastoral Care, and Marriage Preparation.

Essential Job Functions

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Note: some of the specific steps on the following tasks are outlined in the processes and procedures notes for Sacred Liturgy, Pastoral Care, and Marriage Preparation.

Sacred Liturgy

Assist the Director of Liturgy with liturgical planning, including but not limited to liturgies for daily and weekly masses, liturgical high seasons, Holy days, sacrament Masses, scrutinies, etc.

Assist the Director of Liturgy with:
o Opening and closing the church and office (if needed) on Saturdays, Sundays and other days as needed/scheduled.
o Coordinate Mass, ensure all Ushers, Altar Servers, EMHC's, Lector's, and Sacristan have checked in as needed and/or as scheduled.
o Able to perform the duties of all Liturgical Ministers mentioned above as needed and/or as scheduled.
o Recruiting, training, scheduling and ongoing formation of Liturgical Ministers.
o Ensure the supplies of the Sacristy, including altar linens, vestments, candles and supplies, cleaning, etc. are properly maintained.
o Coordinate with the Altar Guild regarding church art and decor based on the liturgical season.
o Assist with the Prayers of the Faithful as needed.
o Perpetual Adoration, including schedules, resources, formation for Adorers, and Chapel care and maintenance. Learn and be able to navigate through the We Adore software.
o Assist the Coordinator of Funerals by serving as a backup when needed and by assisting at funeral Masses and preparing the Order of Worship.
o Develop a working knowledge of the sound board in the church.
Pastoral Care

Administrative support for the Director of Liturgy and Pastoral Care Ministers
o Work closely and coordinate with Pastoral Care Volunteers.
o Develop a working knowledge of bringing Holy Communion to the sick and homebound by Extraordinary Ministers after Mass.
o Responding to sick call requests and coordinating the administering of sacraments such as Viaticum and Anointings for the Sick and homebound by clergy.
o Develop a working knowledge of the Prayer Ministry at hospice centers.
o Assist with the recruiting, training, scheduling and ongoing formation of Pastoral Care volunteer ministers.

Marriage Preparation

Assist the Director of Liturgy in all aspects of Marriage Preparation, including but not necessarily limited to:
o Administrative support and organization.
o Assist with in-house marriage preparation and marriage enrichment programs
o Administrative follow-up and communications ensuring couples are on track to complete all required steps.
o Develop a working knowledge of how to prepare the Order of Worship for a wedding ceremony.
o Communicate with the Wedding Coordinator and share pertinent information so the wedding can be planned accordingly.
o Fill-in as backup for the Wedding Coordinator when needed.
o Developing a working knowledge about submitting all required documentation for dispensation applications to the Diocese of Phoenix Tribunal office.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Job Functions

Learning to operate the security and alarm systems at the office and the church and agreeing to follow all policies and procedures surrounding church and office security.
Attend staff meetings.
Support the Director of Liturgy and/or Pastor with any assigned tasks on an as-needed basis.
Opening and closing the wall in the church for liturgical events.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

A demonstrated ability to follow direction and work in a collaborative manner.
The ability to demonstrate respect for, and to communicate regularly and effectively with, clergy, staff and volunteers regarding Sacred Liturgy, Pastoral Care and Marriage Preparation.
Knowledge of current pertinent Diocesan guidelines and procedures pertaining to Liturgy, Perpetual Adoration, Pastoral Care, and Marriage Preparation.
The ability to recruit, train and coordinate volunteers in the ministry.
The ability to prioritize and organize work tasks.
The ability to self-motivate.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Google apps, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook, etc.)
Ability to use and learn church-related software such as Ministry Scheduler, Flocknote, PDS (Parish Data System), and other similar programs used for scheduling, calendaring, newsletters, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be an active practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church and accepting and obedient to all teachings of the Catholic Church.
Must have a love for the Liturgy, Pastoral Care and Marriage Preparation, and a thorough understanding of the associated principles.
Must be current with all Safe environment training and requirements.
Must be open to and actively seek out professional development and formation in Liturgy, Pastoral Care, and Marriage Preparation.
The ability to work weekends and evenings with a flexible schedule to meet the needs of church seasons.
Demonstrated computer literacy, including but not necessarily limited to:
o A general working knowledge of databases and database entry.
o Proficient in Microsoft applications.
o A knowledge of platforms used in church environments is helpful.
Must be able to effectively communicate with individuals calling in with requests for sick calls, as well as ministers and office staff.

Work Environment

This job operates primarily in a Catholic church office and in the church and requires professional business-casual attire.
This position also requires occasionally working in a room in the church to set up chairs and tables.
Occasional visits to an Assisted Living/Memory Care facility may be required.
This role requires the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, fax machines, etc.

Physical Requirements

This position requires:
o The ability to lift 50 pounds, including files.
o The ability to bend to open filing cabinets or stand as necessary.
o The ability to set up folding tables and chairs and other church "furniture" as required.
o Assisting with decorating the church for Ordinary time, holy days and high seasons, which may include climbing a ladder or using a step stool.
Lifting boxes with supplies such as candles, oil, etc.

About the Employer

St. Mary Magdalene in Gilbert, Arizona is a Roman Catholic Parish that witnesses the love of Jesus Christ through evangelization, catechesis, discipleship, and the celebration of the Mass and the Sacraments.