Director of Sacred Music / Organist, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Goshen, Ind.
The Rev. Royce V. Gregerson, Pastor
109 W. Monroe St. Goshen, IN 46526
stjohncatholic.com

St. John the Evangelist Parish in Goshen, Indiana invites applicants for a full-time position of Director of Sacred Music / Organist. We seek an excellent musician and committed Catholic to inspire and lead a parish of 1,000 families in participating in sacred music and in enhancing the spiritual and sacramental life of the parish. We believe that, in the words of the Second Vatican Council, “the musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy” (SC 112). Furthermore, we believe that beautiful sacred music has the power to inspire faith in Christ through an encounter with the living God. As Benedict XVI once stated, “Discourse with God goes beyond the boundaries of human speech,” giving sacred music a unique power to inspire worship of Almighty God. We are seeking someone with a deep relationship with the Lord, rooted in prayer, who will guide others into an encounter with Christ through this great treasure of inestimable value that is the Church’s treasury of sacred music.

St. John’s Church has a long tradition of beautiful liturgies and sacred music. The parish is blessed with a talented and dedicated adult choir that is proficient in a wide variety of musical styles. Applicants with proficiency in teaching and conducting Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony will be given particular consideration, particularly those with experience introducing parishes to Gregorian chant.

The parish has a 3-manual pre-digital Rogers organ that has been effectively re-voiced to handle a variety of literature. It is in good working condition with all parts available. Candidates must be proficient in accompanying hymns and playing preludes and postludes from classical organ repertoire.

The music director will build upon the tradition of the current program, fortifying and reinvigorating those elements while expanding the existing program, increasing parish education on the liturgy, and collaborating with the pastor in any number of other areas that touch on music and the sacred liturgy. In addition to overseeing the musical planning, the director will play the organ for three weekend Masses, two weekly school Masses (during the academic year), funerals, weddings, and other services as needed. The director will also direct the regular adult choir at the principal Sunday Mass and recruit and train cantors for the other Sunday and school Masses. The Director of Sacred Music could also be responsible for supervising a part-time accompanist for Sunday Masses should the Director and the parish decide to employ such an accompanist.

The director will also teach music to children in the parish elementary school, introducing them to the Church’s rich treasury of sacred music. The school choir sings for all-school Mass weekly on Fridays.

The preferred candidate will: have a degree in sacred music or related field, have a thorough knowledge of the Church's musical patrimony, be self-motivated, be able to draw out the talents of the parish, and be an outstanding pastoral presence in the parish.

St. John’s also has a large and growing Hispanic community. While the Director of Sacred Music is not responsible for music at Masses celebrated in Spanish, candidates who speak Spanish will be given particular consideration in order to coordinate with volunteer musicians for Spanish Masses. The parish does not regularly celebrate bilingual Masses except during the Triduum.

The community of Goshen, Indiana has a vibrant musical tradition that is infused into St. John’s parish. Local schools and a small private liberal arts college place a strong emphasis on the musical arts, making Goshen a great place to work as a professional musician. Close proximity to the South Bend area presents many professional and cultural opportunities as well.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Starting date is negotiable, beginning on July 1. Please submit a resume, cover letter, Diocesan application for employment (http://www.diocesefwsb.org/Data/Resources/b11ae34ddd06f6ddf3e937b86a4548e7-ApplicationforEmployment-MinisterialPosition.pdf) and any (optional) supplemental materials or recordings to the pastor, Fr. Royce Gregerson, at frgregerson@stjohncatholic.com or by mailing to the parish address provided above.