Sacristan & Wedding Facilitator

Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul (Providence); Providence (RI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 44,000; Part time

Job summary

The Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul in Providence seeks a part-time Sacristan & Wedding Facilitator to prepare the church for Masses and weddings and assist clergy, deacons, and couples in reverent liturgy.

The role blends sacristy duties with ceremony coordination, requiring strong organizational skills, reliability, and sensitivity to Catholic worship, with weekend and evening availability.

Qualifications

• Professed Religious or practicing lay Catholic with a sincere understanding and appreciation of Catholic worship and the sacraments.
• Knowledge of Catholic liturgy and basic liturgical practices preferred.
• Previous experience as a sacristan, altar server, church volunteer, wedding coordinator, or in a similar role is highly desirable.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the parish schedule.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the church, sanctuary, and sacristy for Masses, weddings, funerals, and other liturgical celebrations.
• Prepare and arrange sacred vessels, linens, books, vestments, candles, holy water, and other liturgical items.
• Ensure sanctuary and sacristies are clean, orderly, and properly maintained.
• Assist priests, deacons, altar servers, and extraordinary ministers as needed, including as a Master of Ceremonies.
• Coordinate opening/closing of the church before/after liturgical celebrations.

Skills

Religious Catholic

Organizational skills

People skills

Job description

Location: Providence, RI

Job Id:102

# of Openings:1

Employment Type: Part-Time

Reports To: Pastor / Parish Administrator

Position Summary

The Sacristan & Wedding Facilitator is responsible for preparing the church and assisting the priest, deacon, and wedding couples in the proper and reverent celebration of the Catholic liturgy at the Cathedral and in particular weddings. This position combines sacristy responsibilities with hands‑on coordination of ceremonies to ensure that each celebration is prayerful, organized, welcoming, and consistent with Catholic liturgical practices, Canon Law and parish policies.

The ideal candidate is a practicing Catholic who has a deep respect for the Mass and the sacraments, is highly organized and dependable, and enjoys working with people during important moments in their lives.

This position reports to the Rector of the Cathedral and is overseen by the Parish Business Manager.

• Prepare the church, sanctuary, and sacristy for Masses, weddings, funerals, and other liturgical celebrations.
• Prepare and arrange sacred vessels, linens, books, vestments, candles, holy water, and other liturgical items.
• Ensure that the sanctuary and sacristies are clean, orderly, and properly maintained.
• Assist priests, deacons, altar servers, and extraordinary ministers as needed, including as a Master of Ceremonies..
• Ensure that everything necessary for the weekend celebration of Masses and other ceremonies is properly prepared and available.
• Assist with opening and securing the church before and after scheduled liturgical celebrations.
• Maintain an inventory of liturgical supplies and notify parish staff when supplies need to be ordered or replaced.
• Ensure that liturgical practices and preparations are carried out in accordance with Catholic Church guidelines and diocesan policies.

Wedding Facilitation

• Serve as the parish's primary on‑site contact for couples on their wedding day. (Approximately 30 -40 weddings annually)
• Meet with couples and/or wedding coordinators before the wedding to review church procedures, expectations, and logistics.
• Conduct wedding rehearsals (with the cathedral organist) at pre‑arranged dates and times.
• Coordinate the arrival and preparation of the wedding party, musicians, readers, servers, and other participants.
• Ensure the church is properly prepared before the wedding and restored afterward.
• Assist the priest or deacon with the orderly preparation and execution of the wedding ceremony.
• Coordinate the wedding processional and recessional and help ensure that participants are in the proper locations at the appropriate times.
• Communicate clearly parish policies regarding decorations, photography, videography, music, flowers, and use of the church.
• Work professionally and courteously with wedding couples, families, clergy, musicians, photographers, florists, and outside wedding coordinators.
• Help resolve unexpected issues calmly and professionally while maintaining the dignity and reverence of the sacrament.
• Ensure that the wedding begins and concludes according to the parish schedule.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist at special liturgical celebrations and parish events as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding parishioners and sacramental matters.
• Communicate effectively with parish clergy and staff regarding upcoming liturgies and weddings.
• Perform other duties related to the sacristy and liturgical celebrations as assigned by the Rector.
• Assist in the training of altar servers. Maintain an updated roster of parish servers, Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers.
• Create and provide monthly schedules for each parish liturgical ministry.
• Assist in the seasonal or occasional decoration of the sanctuary.
• Collaborate with the weekday Mass volunteer sacristans.
• Collaborate with the Diocesan Director of Liturgy for Diocesan ceremonies and events.

Qualifications

• Professed Religious or practicing lay Catholic with a sincere understanding and appreciation of Catholic worship and the sacraments.
• Knowledge of Catholic liturgy and basic liturgical practices preferred.
• Previous experience as a sacristan, altar server, church volunteer, wedding coordinator, or in a similar role is highly desirable.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Dependable, punctual, and attentive to detail.
• Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
• Comfortable working with clergy, parishioners, families, vendors, and wedding professionals.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the parish schedule.
• Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a parish team.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry light to moderately heavy liturgical items and supplies.
• Ability to climb stairs, step ladders and move throughout the church and sacristy as needed.

Personal Qualities

• Reverence for the Catholic faith and the sacred nature of the church.
• A welcoming and compassionate demeanor.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Reliability and personal integrity.
• Discretion and respect for confidentiality.
• A willingness to serve others and contribute positively to parish life.

Schedule

This is a part-time position with a schedule that will vary according to Masses, weddings, funerals, and other parish liturgical celebrations. The position will require regular weekend and occasional evening availability.

Compensation

Compensation: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.