Sacristan

St. Augustine Catholic Church in Northwest, Washington, DC, is seeking a fulltime Sacristan who cherishes his or her Catholic Faith, is devoted to the Holy Mass and would relish the opportunity to serve in God’s House to assure the beautiful presentation of the church, and timely preparation and smooth implementation of the Divine Liturgy. 

Must be available on Saturdays and Sundays. Please send your resume and letter of interest to: [email protected].

DESCRIPTION 

The Sacristan is a person who is charged with the care of the sacristy, the church, and their contents. He or she is also responsible for the timely preparation, smooth implementation and post-liturgy cleaning and restoration of the church and sacristy to an orderly pre-liturgy condition.

SUMMARY

In general, this role serves as an arranger for all liturgies and worship taking place in the church including, ensuring that vestments and linens are arranged and ready, that altar vessels are set out, that consumables like altar wines and altar bread are in adequate supply, and that the church as a whole is kept secure and in veneration shape. The sacristan needs to work and communicate well with the pastor, priests, deacons and liturgy coordinator and head usher, and to attend to the environment of worship. A sacristan should carry him or herself with reverence, modeling the behavior worthy of the congregation to imitate and have a solid understanding of how liturgies flow, the order of Mass and services, and the basic teachings of and respect for the Roman Catholic faith. 

A sacristan’s schedule is heavily dependent on the church’s worship schedule. Hours can include weekends, evenings and holidays and will vary during the seasons of Christmas, Holy Week and Easter. Working hours include opening the church an hour before confessions or celebration of any Mass and closing the church after liturgy. A bi-weekly time sheet will be kept by employee and signed by the Pastor.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Opening the Church, preparing the environment including the altar, pulpit and sanctuary in general for all liturgies -weekday and weekly liturgies, funerals and special feast days, wedding, holy days and national holiday services; laying out linens, altar bread and sacramental wine, vestments, special seating, offertory tables and linens, and worship aides; purifying and cleaning liturgical vessels.

• Care of altar with assistance from volunteers: flowers, feast day and holiday plants and decorations, funeral flower arrangements; arranging liturgical candles (tapers, Paschal, devotional); palms for Palm Sunday. The sacristan should collaborate with volunteers in the Altar Guild and the florist who assist with seasonal decorations. Watering of plants and flowers and disposal when they die. 

• Maintaining the liturgical linens and vestments including storing and ironing with assistance from volunteers.

• Maintaining general cleanliness of the church; emptying trash; maintaining and updating bulletin board and discarding papers and garbage left in pews: tidying tables in the vestibule, and if needed, sweeping entrances and foyer of dirt, snow, and leaves. 

• Setting up for and restoring the sanctuary after weddings and funerals; reserving parking for guest clergy; reception of floral arrangements; cleaning up and closing the church. 

• Working and communicating regularly with the Liturgy Committee Coordinator and Music Directors about liturgical events. Assist with additional tasks assigned by the Pastor. 

• Prepare liturgical Books: The lectionary, the Roman Missal other ritual books needed to be set up (using the Ordo to guide you). Locally prepared texts such as the General Intercessions, pre-Mass greetings and instruction to the congregation need to be obtained and made available for the use of liturgical ministers. Vestments, vessels and other materials need to be maintained, cleaned, repaired or replaced as necessary. 

• Take inventory: The Sacristan sets up and supervises the regular replenishment of materials like wine, bread, candles, charcoal, etc. He or she procures annual items like palms, congregational candles and the Paschal Candle. Every year, the Sacristan takes an inventory of all the church property to appraise old objects, properly disposal of sacred items and prioritizing the need to acquire new things or replace old and used items. 

• Other Administrative Duties. Prepare Daily Mass intentions, Keep a regular and up-to-date inventory of all items in the sacristy/church; Schedule visiting priest to cover weekend Masses; attend regular Staff Meetings and monthly Liturgy Committee Meeting.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• The Sacristan must be a practicing Catholic and fully initiated member of the Catholic faith and have a working understanding and basic knowledge of the Catholic Faith and especially the Liturgy of the Mass.

• Ability to work independently without direct supervision; self-motivated.

• Valid driver’s license and a record of safe operations of a motor vehicle.

• Ability to effectively communicate and work well with staff and volunteers.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective record-keeping and facilities management records.

• Able to collaborate with the parish priest and staff in carrying out tasks.

• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings on an as-needed basis.

• Possess knowledge of procedures, practices, tools, and equipment used in maintenance.

• Able to adapt to challenges and changes in routine.

• Good interpersonal skills 

• Good organizational skills

• Punctual 

• Diplomatic

• Positive/friendly/enthusiastic

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position can be physically demanding. Sacristans should have ability to move, load and unload equipment and supplies weighing 50 pounds and heavier. Physical motions can include walking short distances, bending, stooping, squatting, reaching and carrying and climbing step ladders.

WORK HOURS

• Wednesday - Sunday, 40 hours a week

  • Wednesday - Friday: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm (except for Funerals - the hours may be substituted on other days)

  • Saturday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

  • Sunday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    
    

The appointment to this position is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check and compliance with Safe Environment requirements, including Virtus training. The Employee who is newly appointed to this position will be subject to a 6-month new employee appraisal period according to Archdiocesan Policy.