Meet Rev. Gregory T. Labus

Rev. Gregory T. Labus attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Edinburg, Texas for eight years, from kindergarten until he graduated the eighth grade in 1970. He was also a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church from birth until he graduated from Edinburg High School. 

After graduating high school, Father Labus majored in music at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, with an emphasis on liturgical music. He was a parish musician at Holy Family Church in Fort Worth, Texas before Most Rev. Rene Gracida, of the Diocese of Corpus Christi invited him to develop a music program at the Corpus Christi Cathedral in 1984.   

He was serving as associate director of music at the Corpus Christi Cathedral when God called him to the priesthood. Father Labus had considered the priesthood before but the call was more intense and enduring than ever.

"It was before the Jubilee Year (2000)," said Father Greg Labus, a composer, organist, and pianist. "We were planning a bunch of activities at the cathedral and the thought came to me again. What really triggered it was that I read, Witness to Hope-Pope John Paul II's biography- and that is what really pushed me over the edge." Father Labus was at a priest ordination, sitting opposite of a stained glass window depicting Holy Orders when he had a defining moment about becoming a priest. 

Rev. Gregory T. Labus was ordained a priest for service in the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville on May 27, 2006.

Father Labus served as assistant to the rector at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle- National Shrine, parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception of Mary Church in Harlingen, Texas, parish administrator at St. Mary's Church in Santa Rosa, Texas, and pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Mercedes, Texas. 

On May 18, 2012, Father Labus returned to his home parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, as pastor of the parish and school. He was the first new pastor in more than 16 years, proceeding with the death of Msgr. Robert Maher, who was Pastor since November 16, 1995. 

Father Greg Labus is the eldest son of Emil John (deceased) and Cecilia Labus. His mother and his four siblings, Joan, Joe, Cynthia, & Daniel all still live in the Edinburg area. 

As pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church and School, Father Greg Labus plans to continue to highlight the importance of music to the liturgy, which is sustained by a strong level of participation by the people.