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The Pastoral Assistant for Music provides liturgical and sacramental music leadership across Parish Family 31, Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Theresa Parishes in Federal Way. This position inspires, organizes, coordinates, and serves as an accompanist for music for weekend and special liturgies, directs choirs as needed, recruits and trains musicians, and collaborates with pastoral staff and school music teachers to support a cohesive liturgical environment and formation. 

The PA for Music ensures that music supports liturgical cohesion, rooted in Sacred Tradition, which integrates multicultural and contemporary music expressions as appropriate. This role is both pastoral and administrative, requiring musical proficiency (particularly singing, piano, and – ideally – organ), leadership, and collaborative skills. 

Parish Family 31 is made up of two parishes, Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Theresa, in suburban Federal Way – between Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. October Mass attendance counts report around 1600 attendees at the four English weekend Masses at St. Vincent, and around 1400 at five (two Spanish, three English) weekend Masses at St. Theresa. The school at St. Vincent, serving the parish family, currently has 268 students enrolled; the school has a concert choir that occasionally sings for Masses.  

Masses at St. Vincent regularly feature a Pacific Island choir, a contemporary band, and a more standard choir; Masses at St. Theresa regularly feature a couple standard choirs, a Spanish band, and a Spanish children’s choir. Some special groups that have formed for occasional Masses are a Filipino choir, a women’s choir, and a bilingual young adult band.  

Given such a variety of cultural and musical expression across our liturgies, it is our desire to cultivate a more cohesive liturgical identity, especially by guiding the parish family towards a deeper appreciation of our common liturgical heritage.  

1. Liturgical Music Leadership 

• Plan, select, and coordinate music for all Sunday Masses, Holy Days, and special celebrations across three campuses. 

• Collaborate with pastor, parochial vicar, and pastoral staff to ensure liturgically appropriate and high-quality music. 

• Serve as accompanist for cantors and choirs at selected Masses and special liturgies, as needed. 

• Coordinate with families/couples approaching the parish family for funerals/weddings (or other special liturgies) to oversee the appropriate selection of music.  

• Select and prepare music that cultivates liturgical formation and cohesion, while encouraging the full participation of the assembly (both internal and external). 

• Incorporate multicultural and contemporary musical expressions when appropriate, while remaining faithful to the prescriptions and tradition of the Church.  

• Coordinate accompanist assignments for all choirs and liturgies, ensure accompaniment support as required. 

2. Choir Direction and Vocal Leadership 

• Recruit, train, supervise, and support parish family choir members, cantors, and other ministers of music. 

• Direct rehearsals and liturgies for choirs as needed and (when appropriate) oversee the delegation of this responsibility to other competent musical leaders. 

• Collaborate with school music teachers to coordinate school choir participation at school and parish family Masses, as appropriate. 

• Ensure accompanists and musicians are trained, scheduled, and appropriately compensated. 

3. Music Program Accompaniment, Administration & Development 

• Develop, implement, and evaluate the parish family music program in collaboration with pastoral staff. 

• Prepare and administer the Music Ministry budget as delegated by the Director of Liturgy. 

• Ensure copyright permissions, licensing, and music use fees are properly obtained. 

• Provide accompaniment and musical support for special liturgies beyond regular Masses as needed. 

• Coordinate the appropriate maintenance work needed for the upkeep and repair of musical instruments in the parish family such as tuning pianos and organs. 

4. Collaboration & Multicultural Ministry 

• Work with pastoral staff, consultative bodies, and multicultural ministry teams to integrate diverse musical traditions. 

• Participate in parish family, regional, and Archdiocesan committees related to music and liturgy. 

5. Professional Development & Other Duties 

• Maintain musical and liturgical proficiency through workshops, conventions, and professional organizations. 

• Provide music ministry for weddings, funerals, and other celebrations, compensated separately according to parish family policy. 

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of the parish family. 

• Other duties as assigned 

• Practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with a deep commitment to the Church’s mission. 

• Proficiency on piano and (ideally) organ; ability to sing; and ability to accompany cantors, choirs, and assemblies. 

• Experience directing adult, youth, and children’s choirs. 

• Familiarity with liturgical music, multicultural repertoire, traditional and contemporary styles. 

• Familiarity with modern and Gregorian (neumatic/square) musical notation. 

• Ability to collaborate with clergy, staff, volunteers, and school personnel. 

• Strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills. 

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends for liturgies, rehearsals, and parish events. 

• Ability to pass background checks and complete Safe Environment training. 

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, use a computer, and play piano or organ regularly. 

• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally. 

• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. 

Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications.

Benefits: Eligible positions receive a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and disability, long term disability, pension, 403(b), HSA, FSA, and generous sick leave, vacation and holidays.