Director of Music Ministry (PT-FT) Christ the King Parish

Christ the King Parish, located in Reading, Massachusetts, is currently seeking a part-time to full-time* Director of Music Ministry (DMM). Convenient to both Route 128 and Interstate 93, just 13 miles northwest of Boston, Christ the King was formed from the 2023 Merger of St. Agnes Church and St Athanasius Church. The Churches are a 10 minute drive apart on the Northeast and Southwest side of Reading. This position is on-site at the parishes in Reading.

Overview of Position
The Director of Music Ministry reports directly to the Pastor and works collaboratively with the Staff and Volunteers of the Parish to build a community that worships the Lord both solemnly and joyfully in song. Music is planned with liturgical and thematic guidance from the Pastor, collaboration from a lay Music Advisory Team, and to meet the needs of our sacramental programs. The Pastor currently envisions at least one weekend mass that has a traditional character in both musical selection and the chanting of certain liturgical parts. The 8:30 AM Sunday Mass and a possible future Sunday afternoon youth mass utilize predominantly contemporary worship songs from a variety of sources but screened for consistency with Catholic theology. Other masses (Saturday at 4, Sunday at 11:30 AM) currently use a mixture of these as well as the best of Catholic hymns from late in the 20th century.

General Responsibilities

• The DMM 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 Pastor and the Pastoral Planning Council.
• Directing and accompanying the Music Ministry Members and developing consistent reliable Cantor and Accompanist coverage
• of Saturday Vigil and Sunday Liturgies.
• Establishing a Children’s Choir to serve at certain Sunday 8:30 AM Masses and other special celebrations.
• Providing logistical support and occasional musical support to the Christ the King Worship Band, as well as an envisioned group supporting a new youth-oriented Sunday afternoon mass.
• Ongoing recruitment and support of Music Ministry volunteers.
• Developing a network of trusted Parish lay volunteers and organ, piano, and cantor contractors to support service engagements at weddings and funerals.
• Preparing and managing the music budget in collaboration with the Pastor and Operations and Finance Manager.
• Maintaining instruments, audio equipment, projection systems, and music spaces.
• Creating Lyric/Prayer slide decks for our projection systems for weekend and Holy Day masses.
• Ensuring Music in use is properly licensed and available in the proper form for music ministry participants.

Specific Mass/Liturgy Responsibilities

• Plan music and rehearse Music Ministry at least once per week for the:
  • Saturday 4:00 PM Vigil Mass at St. Athanasius
  • Sunday 8:30 AM Family Mass with Children's Choir participating 1-2 times per month at St Agnes
  • Sunday 10:00 AM Mass at St Athanasius, envisioned in the future to be a more traditional “High Mass”.
  • Sunday 11:30 AM Mass at St. Agnes
• Accompany at least 3 of the above masses each weekend on Organ or Piano as appropriate.
• Serve as a resource and support as needed for the:
• Sunday 5:30pm Youth Mass
• Assist in creating a sacred environment in Church before mass by completing all warmups and sound tests 10 minutes before mass starts. Greet arriving parishioners with gentle, contemplative instrumental music.

Funerals, Weddings, Holy Days and other Special Liturgies

• Plan, direct, and accompany
• Funeral liturgies (approximately 50 per year)
• Wedding liturgies (approximately 5 per year)
• 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.
• Sight reading skills commensurate with the role.
• Musical and interpersonal skill in coaching a range of vocal and instrumental talents in the Parish volunteer base.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience and good references in a similar role.
• Familiarity with Catholic liturgical traditions and customs.
• A personal commitment to upholding the faith, morals, and practices of the Roman Catholic Church in the context of an active ongoing personal faith formation.
• 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 part-time to full-time position* offers a competitive hourly rate/salary commensurate with skills and experience. Those who can commit to a benefits-eligible schedule may access an RCAB benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, group life insurance, retirement contribution, and paid vacation. In addition to base hourly or salary pay, music directors are paid a $175 stipend for each funeral or wedding covered personally.

Application Procedure
To apply, please submit a resume, three references, and any supporting links to:
James Fitzgerald
Operations and Finance Manager
jfitzgerald@christthekingreading.org

In-Person Interviews and Auditions: May 2025
Start Date June 1, 2025 (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.

• The role is anticipated for a minimum of 18 hours. Candidates who can commit a full-time schedule to the community will be considered for a full-time role.