Associate for Worship

STS Peter & Paul Church•Winter Park, FL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Director of Worship, the Associate for Worship is a professional pastoral minister who assists with planning, preparation, coordination, and execution of the parish’s liturgical and musical programs. The role has primary responsibility for day-to-day coordination of liturgical ministries, including communicating with ministry coordinators, supporting volunteers, and preparing ministers for parish celebrations. The Associate collaborates on liturgy planning, worship materials, audiovisual presentations, and music ministry, and provides organ or piano leadership at parish celebrations. The Associate also serves as Master of Ceremonies as assigned, particularly for major celebrations when the Director is performing musical responsibilities. The Associate works collaboratively with clergy, parish staff, ministry coordinators, and volunteers to support prayerful, dignified, pastorally sensitive liturgies faithful to Catholic traditions and conducive to the full, conscious, and active participation of the faithful. While the Director retains overall responsibility for the worship program, the Associate uses professional judgment, initiative, and appropriate independence to carry out assigned responsibilities. Duties may be shared or reassigned according to parish needs. This is a full-time position. The schedule is flexible and includes weekdays, evenings, weekends, Holy Days, and other occasions required by the position. Work takes place primarily in parish offices, worship spaces, rehearsal areas, and other parish facilities. The role includes regular interaction with clergy, staff, volunteers, parishioners, and visitors, and requires periods of sitting for musical accompaniment, as well as standing, walking, and moving through parish facilities. Occasional lifting, carrying, moving, and arranging of supplies, music materials, furnishings, and equipment may be required. Applicants are asked to send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] before completing the Diocesan Application.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Music, Liturgical Studies, Theology, Pastoral Ministry, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.
Demonstrated proficiency as an organist and/or pianist, including music reading, liturgical accompaniment, familiarity with Catholic sacred music, and experience collaborating with cantors, choirs, and instrumental ensembles.
Demonstrated experience in Catholic liturgical ministry, including knowledge of Catholic liturgical principles, rites, and norms; planning and coordinating parish celebrations; and supporting ministry coordinators and volunteers in recruitment, training, scheduling, and ongoing service.
Ability to assist with liturgical celebrations in both English and Spanish, with sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic diversity of the parish community.
Strong organizational and administrative skills, including managing multiple responsibilities, maintaining accurate records, coordinating schedules, and meeting deadlines.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and digital communication tools; working knowledge of Finale and graphic design applications such as Affinity and Canva, or ability to develop proficiency; and familiarity with worship audiovisual equipment and systems.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, and appropriate independence while working under the direction of the Director of Worship and collaboratively with others.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to recruit, encourage, guide, and support volunteers in a collaborative and welcoming ministry environment.
Pastoral sensitivity, discretion, and cultural awareness, particularly when assisting with funerals, weddings, and other significant liturgical celebrations.
Commitment to the mission, teachings, and liturgical traditions of the Catholic Church, and willingness to pursue ongoing spiritual formation and professional development.
Conduct consistent with and supportive of the mission and purpose of the Catholic Church; public behavior must not violate Church faith, morals, or laws, or diocesan policies.
Ability to perform duties involving extended periods of sitting for organ or piano accompaniment, standing, walking, and moving throughout parish facilities; occasional lifting, carrying, moving, and arranging of supplies, materials, furnishings, and equipment.
Availability for a flexible schedule that includes weekdays, evenings, weekends, Holy Days, and other occasions necessary for the role.

Nice To Haves

Spanish-language proficiency is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Assist in planning, preparing, and coordinating Sunday and weekday Masses, Holy Days, seasonal celebrations, and other major parish liturgies in accordance with Catholic liturgical norms and traditions.
Collaborate with the Director of Worship, Pastor, clergy, Liturgy Committee, Art and Environment Ministry, and other parish ministries on liturgical plans, worship spaces, and celebrations.
Prepare, review, and distribute presider binders, liturgy sheets, worship aids, Universal Prayers, and other liturgical and musical materials; coordinate audiovisual needs and presentations.
Support children's liturgies, Spanish-language celebrations, and other parish events in collaboration with the Director of Worship, Faith Formation, and parish ministries.
Help ensure compliance with liturgical norms, diocesan policies, and copyright requirements; evaluate celebrations and recommend improvements.
Support parish music ministry, including music selection, repertoire, musical standards, and active congregational participation in English and Spanish.
Maintain the music library; prepare music for cantors and instrumentalists; support care of musical instruments; and recommend purchases, repairs, and replacements of instruments, equipment, and music resources.
Recruit, train, schedule, rehearse, accompany, and support cantors, instrumentalists, the Parish Choir, Spanish Choir, 6 p.m. Choir, Filipino-American Choir, and other ensembles as assigned.
Provide organ and/or piano accompaniment at weekday and Sunday Masses, Holy Days, funerals, weddings, and other liturgical celebrations; arrange substitute musicians and additional musicians as needed.
Coordinate funeral liturgies and music with bereavement-support staff and the Director of Worship; prepare funeral ministers and materials, and provide or arrange accompaniment and musicians.
Coordinate wedding liturgies and music with the Pastor, marriage-preparation staff, and Director of Worship; prepare wedding ministers and materials, and provide or arrange accompaniment and musicians.
Coordinate and administer liturgical ministries under the Director of Worship’s oversight, including communication with ministry coordinators, volunteer recruitment, training, formation, scheduling, records, and support.
Maintain records of liturgical ministers, ministry activities, attendance, and host counts in accordance with diocesan requirements and parish procedures.
Maintain an active presence at weekend Masses, Holy Days, major liturgies, and other celebrations as needed; coordinate special rites and serve as Master of Ceremonies when assigned.
Respond to unforeseen liturgical circumstances and resolve difficulties with appropriate pastoral judgment in coordination with the Director of Worship.
Coordinate seasonal decorations and worship-space preparation and restoration; help care for and organize liturgical vessels, vestments, linens, furnishings, and supplies; monitor inventories and identify maintenance needs.
Coordinate audiovisual presentations and equipment with audiovisual ministers and volunteers, assist with technical issues, and organize digital liturgical resources and files.
Assist with daily administration of the Office of Worship, communications, calendars, schedules, records, meetings, expenditures, purchases, facilities arrangements, and logistical coordination.
Promote understanding of Catholic liturgy, sacred music, and liturgical traditions through education and formation; provide pastoral guidance to liturgical ministers and pursue ongoing spiritual and professional development.