Director of Liturgy and Music

Maryland Heights, MO, US, 63043-1333

The Archdiocese of St. Louis strives to teach and share our faith, serve others, and foster unity throughout the St. Louis area. Once a part of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary's campus, the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury, MO is today the headquarters and curia (governing body) for the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Job Summary

The Director of Liturgy and Music leads the parish's liturgical and musical life, helping the community pray with reverence, beauty, and full participation. Working closely with the pastor, staff, and volunteers, the director plans celebrations that are prayerful, theologically sound, musically enriching, and faithful to Catholic teaching and liturgical norms.

Job Responsibilities

Liturgical Leadership

• Plan and coordinate weekend Masses, Holy Days, sacramental celebrations, funerals, weddings, seasonal liturgies, and other special services in consultation with the pastor.
• Ensure parish liturgies follow Church and archdiocesan norms while fostering the full, conscious, and active participation of the faithful.
• Actively participate in the recruiting, scheduling and training of lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, ushers, and other liturgical ministers.
  
  

Music Ministry Leadership

• Select music appropriate to each celebration and liturgical season, drawing from a range of styles suitable for Catholic worship.
• Direct parish choirs, cantors, instrumentalists, and ensembles, and provide vocal or instrumental leadership as needed.
• Lead rehearsals with attention to musical excellence, pastoral sensitivity, and the spiritual purpose of sacred music.
• Recruit, train, and support volunteer musicians and singers while encouraging the musical participation of the assembly.
• Coordinate music and music ministers for funerals, weddings, and other special celebrations.
  
  

Administration and Collaboration

• Prepare and manage the annual liturgy and music budget, monitor expenditures, and maintain the music library, instruments, sound equipment, liturgical resources, and supplies.
• Complete required music licensing reports and help ensure compliance with applicable licensing obligations.
• Coordinate worship aids, seasonal liturgical environment needs, and special celebration requirements.
• Participate in staff meetings and collaborate with clergy, parish staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers to create a welcoming and prayerful worship environment.
  
  

Formation and Ministry Development

• Provide ongoing formation for liturgical ministers and music volunteers.
• Encourage participation across age groups and support parish initiatives that deepen faith through worship and sacred music.
  
  

Job Requirements

• Practicing Catholic in good standing with a love for the Church's liturgical life.
• Sound knowledge of Catholic liturgy, Church documents on worship, and sacred music repertoire.
• Bachelor's degree in music, liturgy, theology, pastoral studies, a related field preferred or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience directing church music and coordinating Catholic liturgical celebrations.
• Proficiency in piano, organ, choral conducting, sight reading, arranging, and transposing, with a working knowledge of music theory.
• Ability to lead and teach a range of musical styles and work effectively with vocalists and instrumentalists, including brass, strings, and woodwinds.
• Strong organizational, communication, leadership, and collaborative skills, with a spirit of hospitality and service.
• Pastoral judgment and creativity balanced with reverence for the Church's liturgical tradition.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Ability to stand, conduct rehearsals, and perform musical duties for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and transport music and liturgical materials as needed.
• Availability for evenings, weekends, Holy Days, and special parish events.
  
  

The Archdiocese of St. Louis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital, parental, veteran or disability status.

Pre-Employment Screening

All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre-employment screening. The screening will include criminal background check, Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, employment and educational licensure/certification verification, health screening, and any other screenings deemed necessary for employment. Any offer would be contingent upon successful completion of any required screening.