With the retirement of Holy Cross Catholic Church’s director of liturgy and music after 22 years, Jim Clauer gets the chance he was seeking to be more actively involved in the musical side of religious services.
Clauer, director of worship at St. John the Cross Parish in Western Springs, has been hired by the Deerfield church to replace Kathy Jeffers.
“We are very grateful for all Kathy Jeffers has brought to our worship,” said Rev. Vincent Costello. “We believe that Jim will continue our great tradition (of liturgy and music) and share his personal gifts with Holy Cross for many years to come.”
Clauer, 32, a native of Waukesha, WI, attended St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI, where he majored in theology with a minor in music. Living in Deerfield will allow him to be closer to his parents who still live in Wisconsin, he said, and he’ll be closer to the church’s music.
“Currently,” he said, “I oversee all aspects of the worship experience, but because of the scope of my position, I am unable to actively participate in music as much as I would like.”
Clauer has served as an assistant music director and played in the orchestras of several community theatre ensembles, including Magical Starlight Theatre in Naperville, the Joliet Drama Guild and also at Joliet Catholic Academy, where he formerly served as campus minister.
He sees a meaningful connection between community theatre and church music.
“You’re always trying to find a way to connect with people,” he said. “Whether performing onstage or communicating a religious message, people can really feel like they are having an encounter rather than just watching something.”
Early in the job application process, Clauer attended mass at Holy Cross. His first impression?
More Top Picks Best Bean Bag Chairs For Sensory Needs
“They were extremely welcoming,” he said. “No one knew who I was, but when I walked in the door, there was somebody to hand me a hymnal, shake my hand and greet me.”
Clauer plans to ease into his new role and orient himself to the church’s musical traditions before seeing “what additional things I can add,” he said. “But they certainly have a good foundation in place thanks to Kathy Jeffers.”
The two have exchanged an email, he said, “but with Easter coming up, we won’t have time to connect until after (the holiday).”
The most profound thing about worship music, Clauer said, “is when you can see that the congregation is feeling the connection to God’s presence through the choir or through their own singing.”
He especially looks forward to working with the adult and children’s choirs.
“The joy of working with children,” he said, “is their willingness to try something that might be new to them. With adults, who have more inhibitions, you have to take baby steps to make them comfortable. We put up our defense mechanisms a little bit more.”
Clauer’s first day will be May 4. As he acclimates himself to his parish, he has one request of his new parishioners: “Please introduce yourself. It will take me time to learn names. I’ll do my best to remember, but there is only one of me, but several thousand of you.”