Diocese of Grand Rapids is hiring : Director of Sacred Music in Muskegon

Position Title : Director of Sacred Music

Location : St. Patrick – St. Anthony Parish, Grand Haven, MI

Employment Status : Full-Time

Salary : $65,000+ (commensurate with experience)

Reports To : Pastor

Parish Overview St. Patrick – St. Anthony is a vibrant Roman Catholic parish located along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline in Grand Haven, Michigan. Established in 1857, the parish has long been a significant spiritual presence in the Grand Haven community. Our current church building was completed in 1957, and the sanctuary was recently renovated in 2017 to reflect a more traditional liturgical form. We are deeply committed to enriching our liturgical life, with a particular focus on the faithful observance of the Church’s liturgical norms and traditions. To support this mission, the parish is seeking a full-time Director of Sacred Music to assist the pastor in overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of a reverent and formative music ministry.

Grand Haven Overview Grand Haven is a city of 11,000 people located on Lake Michigan. It is known for its natural beauty and strong sense of community. With its iconic lighthouse, beautiful beaches, and walkable downtown, it provides an inspiring setting for ministry and music. As “Coast Guard City, USA,” Grand Haven takes pride in its traditions and community spirit. The city offers top-rated schools, safe neighborhoods, and easy access to Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Holland, making it an ideal home for those looking to grow both spiritually and professionally.

Our Current Music Program The music program at St. Patrick – St. Anthony Parish has a varied history. Following the installation of our M. P. Möller pipe organ in 1961, the parish supported a 20-member choir, an organist, and a guitar ensemble. In more recent years, liturgies have featured a more contemporary style of music, centered around small, piano led ensembles. A larger choir typically serves at Christmas and Easter. During this time, we have primarily used the Spirit and Song Hymnal along with the annual Heritage Missal from OCP. Over the past year, we began using the Source & Summit Digital Platform to create weekly worship aids, allowing for greater flexibility and liturgical richness. While the organ has remained silent for many years, it has recently been reintroduced into our liturgies alongside the introduction of Entrance and Communion antiphons and more traditional hymns.

Our Vision for the Future At St. Patrick – St. Anthony Parish, our vision for sacred music is to move from simply singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass. We are committed to fostering a deeper integration of music and liturgy, where the sung parts of the Mass—especially the dialogues, ordinaries, and propers—are given their proper place. Rooted in the Church’s rich musical and liturgical tradition, our goal is to cultivate a reverent, participatory worship experience that forms both hearts and voices. We seek a Director of Sacred Music who shares this vision and can lead us in developing a balanced program that honors the tradition while remaining pastorally sensitive to the needs and gifts of our community. Through the formation of choirs, the revitalization of our organ and choral resources, and ongoing musical catechesis, we hope to nurture a parish culture where sacred music becomes a true expression of the Church’s prayer.

Position Summary The Director of Sacred Music will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the parish music ministry, including planning and providing music for weekend Masses, Holy Days, funerals, weddings, and other liturgical celebrations as needed. The Director will rebuild and lead a choir(s), train cantors, and collaborate with the pastor and liturgy planning team to ensure that music enhances the liturgical experience and supports the spiritual life of the parish.

Key Responsibilities Liturgical Music Leadership : Plan and provide music for three weekend Masses (Saturday 5 : 00 PM; Sunday 9 : 00 AM & 11 : 00 AM), Holy Days, funerals, weddings, and other special liturgies.

Choral and Ensemble Direction : Rebuild and lead a parish choir and develop additional vocal and instrumental ensembles, including cantors and accompanists.

Musical Formation : Provide workshops and regular formation for musicians, cantors, and choirs to promote excellence and spiritual growth.

Hymnal Selection / Implementation : Collaborate with the pastor and liturgy team on the selection and implementation of new hymnals, ensuring theological, musical, and liturgical appropriateness in alignment with the parish’s vision for sacred music.

Collaboration : Work closely with the pastor and liturgy planning team to ensure cohesive and prayerful liturgical celebrations.

Administrative Oversight : Oversee the music ministry budget, schedule musicians, and ensure appropriate copyright / licensing compliance.

Instrument Maintenance : Ensure the proper care and maintenance of parish musical instruments, including the M. P. Moller pipe organ and Yamaha grand piano. Note : the organ is currently functional but in need of significant maintenance; the successful candidate will help assess and address its long-term upkeep and restoration needs.

Staff Responsibilities : weekly staff meetings and openness to learning and supporting the Divine Renovation model of parish renewal.

Qualifications Proficiency in organ / vocal performance and choral direction.

Degree in Music (Bachelor’s or Master’s in Sacred Music or Organ / Choral Performance) strongly preferred.

Minimum of 5 years of experience in liturgical music ministry desired.

Understanding of the Roman Rite, liturgical documents and the role of music as integral to liturgy.

Demonstrates a mature prayer life and desire to grow spiritually and professionally.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Compensation Full-time

$65,000 commensurate with experience and education.

Benefits as outlined in the parish employee handbook, including Health insurance

Pension

Paid time off and sick leave

Support for continuing education and professional development where applicable

Additional compensation for weddings and funerals. Currently averaging 2-5 weddings a year and 30-35 funerals.

To Apply Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Please send a resume, references, and any supporting materials to :

Rev. Daniel Schumaker

Pastor, St. Patrick – St. Anthony Parish

frdan@stpatsgh.org

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