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Sunday, July 15, 2001
Longtime music leader hears a higher call
Cathedral's Labus leaves to study for priesthood
By Brendan Walsh
Caller-Times

George Tuley/Caller-Times

Corpus Christi Cathedral’s associate music director Greg Labus is leaving after 17 years to enter seminary and become a priest.

Greg Labus has explored a musical form of prayer for 17 years as associate director of music at the Corpus Christi Cathedral.
   This fall, he plans to follow his spiritual calling in a radical new way: He's entering a seminary to become a priest.
   "The thought of (entering the priesthood) had always been there with me, I just never acted on it," said Labus, 45. "So I've decided to take the plunge and see where it goes."
   Labus will enter the Mundelein Seminary outside of Chicago with the goal of becoming a priest for his hometown diocese in Brownsville.
   His colleagues sensed that Labus had the calling to enter priesthood. Some wondered when he would finally make the move.
   "On one hand I'm very, very excited for him and his new endeavor," said Lee Gwozdz, director of music at the cathedral. "But on the other hand, I equate it with the splitting of a famous duo - Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis or Abbott and Costello - except neither of us are the fat one. We really were a great team and had great chemistry with the choirs."
   Expanding choirs
   Under the duo's leadership, the cathedral expanded its adult choir, added three new children's choirs, and also developed the Schola Cantorum, a group of 12 men who perform Gregorian chants. The cathedral's choirs have performed for the pope and traveled to Europe several times.
   Labus said he's proud of those accomplishments, but that the most rewarding aspect of his tenure with the cathedral was seeing singers develop an appreciation for the liturgy and liturgical music.
   Growing in song
   During his 17-year-career he saw four singers begin with the Cherub Choir - boys and girls in grades 1 to 3 - and move all the way up the ranks to become members of the adult choir.
   "I hope that what they learned will carry on through the rest of their lives," Labus said.
   A national search is under way to find Labus' replacement.
   "I think that things will be different, but not diminished," said Dr. David Miller, a member of the adult choir and a friend of Labus. "I hate to see him go, but I'm glad to see where he's going."


Contact Brendan Walsh at 886-3763 or walshb@caller.com

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