(12/21/2022)
Bishop W. Thomas Larkin Pastoral Center
St. Petersburg

POSITION PURPOSE

Rooted in the diocesan mission, Courageously Living the Gospel, The Director of Worship assists the Bishop, in collaboration with the Director of Worship for the Diocese, the Executive Director of Missionary Discipleship and other diocesan leadership in implementing the liturgical policies, guidelines and practices of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. With the Director, the Associate Director is a is resource person to the Bishop, pastors, pastoral staff, parishes, schools and other diocesan entities regarding the celebration of Catholic liturgy & rituals within the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The Director provides leadership in the planning, execution, and celebration of diocesan liturgies. The Associate Director, as an integral part of the Missionary Discipleship Team, develops and coordinates programs of education and formation that promote the liturgical standards prescribed by the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and integrates them into them into the mission, vision and pastoral plan of Courageously Living the Gospel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Administration:

  • Maintains the day-to-day operation of the Office, responding to inquiries from clergy and laity on liturgical matters.  Incumbent accomplishes this by working with the Director of Worship and Executive Director of Missionary Disciples in managing the Office of worship and Diocesan/Cathedral (as it relates to the Diocese) budgets.  Keeps current and maintains the diocesan music license(s), reporting all usage. Coordinates the annual parish Liturgical Ministry Leaders forms and data base.
  • Coordinates the logistics for off campus programs offered by the Office (e.g., Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) & Reader workshops, Diocesan Order of Christian Initiation Institutes, Sacristan workshop, etc.).
  • Communicates regarding the Rite of Election and the Chrism Mass and other matters related to liturgy, prayer and worship.  This is accomplished by sending letters and emails to parishes, liturgy/RCIA directors and priests.  Edits and maintains the Office of Worship webpage and the monthly e-newsletter, Gathered
  • Administers the annual sale of Liturgy Training Publications books to parishes
  • Assists in the development of diocesan liturgical guidelines/policy for the Bishop when appropriate. Serves as an ex-officio member to the Diocesan Liturgical Commission

Education / Formation:

  • Assists the Director of Worship, Executive Director of Missionary Discipleship and the Diocesan Liturgical Commission with developing a vision for improving liturgical celebrations in the diocese by providing opportunities for liturgical ministry formation, i.e., workshops, conferences, and other programs.
  • With the Director, plans and promotes programs of liturgical formation for the laity and clergy (i.e. biannual trainings for readers and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, sacristan workshops, Communion ministers to the sick & homebound, music ministers, etc.).
  • Provides guidance and on-going formation, and builds up community among the leaders involved with the Christian Initiation of adults & children.
  • Updates the clergy and laity on universal and national developments regarding liturgy.
  • With the office of the Chancellor for Administration, assists parishes in developing liturgy commissions and in evaluating their liturgical celebrations.
  • Collaborates with the Office of Construction and Facilities Management in providing liturgical formation for those who are building and/or renovating churches.

Worship:

  • With the Director and Bishop’s Master of Ceremonies, coordinates all diocesan celebrations where the Bishop is the celebrant (Chrism Mass, Rite of Election, ordination of priests & deacons, St. Jude Medal Evening Prayer, the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute commissioning, the Hispanic Mass, the Red Mass, the White Mass, the Mater Dei Giving Society Prayer Service, etc.). With the Chrism Mass: coordinates the purchase of the olive oil, balsam, and bottles, assembles the individual bottles, and distributes them parishes/entities after Mass.
  • Prepares worship aids for the liturgies such as the Vespers before Ordination, clergy Advent & Lent gatherings, and the annual Convocation for Priestly Renewal and other diocesan events as requested.
  • Collaborates with other diocesan offices that have liturgies in which the Bishop will be the celebrant, i.e., assist with liturgy preparation, publish worship aids, produce rubrics for the bishop and ministers, etc.
  • With the Chancellor for Canonical Affairs, assists parishes plan the funeral of priests and deacons
  • Serves as a resource person to parishes in promoting and modeling the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council
  • Assists in the developing of Morning Prayer worship aids for the Pastoral Center as well as planning Pastoral Center Masses.

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS

  • The Associate Director of the Office of Worship is directly accountable and  evaluated by the Director of Worship and Executive Director of Missionary Discipleship
  • Collaborate with the Executive Director of Missionary Discipleship and other Missionary Discipleship Team Members to frame liturgy and worship in the context of forming missionary disciples. This is accomplished by attending the Missionary Discipleship Team meetings as well as working on special projects and events.
  • Collaborates with the diocesan offices including (but not limited to) the Offices of Vocations, Permanent Diaconate, Evangelization and Lifelong Faith Formation, Youth & Young Adults, Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute, Stewardship & Development, and Schools & Centers in providing assistance and/or consultation regarding liturgical matters
  • Collaborates with the Cathedral staff for diocesan liturgies celebrated there

WORKING CONDITIONS

Works primarily in the Bishop W. Thomas Larkin Pastoral Center during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). Also may involve an occasional evening or weekend, and travel throughout the diocese.  Must have transportation to travel to parishes and schools for liturgical assistance.

QUALITIES AND SKILLS

A. Qualities (i.e., personal characteristics commonly needed to minister in a collegial and collaborative way)

  1. Roman Catholic in good standing.
  2. Possess a well-developed sense of Church, recognizing both its human and divine components.
  3. Is mature, emotionally stable, and self-confident. Also, should be a motivated self-starter who accepts responsibility, is creative, and flexible.
  4. Discretion and trustworthiness are valued as well as compassion, empathy, and good communication skills.
  5. Works well with others and can empower others in their ministry.
  6. Possess a sense of the sacred and ritual, and has an integrated life of communal and personal prayer.

B. Skills (i.e., the specific skills necessary to do this position)

  1. Bachelor’s degree in Liturgy or equivalent.
  2. Bilingual (English & Spanish) is a plus.
  3. Experience on a diocesan level in liturgy (e.g., Worship Office or a Diocesan Liturgical Commission) or 3+ years of experience with coordinating parish liturgy.
  4. Possess an in-depth understanding of the theology and history of the Church’s liturgical and sacramental practices, the liturgical year, the liturgical norms and regulations, and liturgical ministries and the arts.
  5. Knowledgeable of the relationship between religion and culture and of the relationship between ecclesial spirituality and devotional expressions of popular piety.
  6. Basic management and leadership skills.
  7. Interpersonal and relational skills, including, communication, group process, enabling/empowering others, and public relations.
  8. Computer knowledge and experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Publisher. Able to type and design programs and worship areas.

Candidate must successfully pass a Level II FBI Background Screening and complete Safe Environment Training prior to employment.

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