Mark Laubach named Canon Precentor
Bishop Paul Marshall has named Mark Laubach Canon Precentor "to take the lead in efforts to coordinate, communicate, and further educate all the musicians of the [14-county] Diocese of Bethlehem."
Canon Laubach is a lay person who has served as music minister at St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre since 1986 where he administers a busy liturgical, choral, concert and broadcasting schedule. He will continue in that position. He resides in Forty Fort.
"For more than two decades you have served St. Stephen’s, the Diocese, and the community with great artistry and great gentleness," Bishop Paul said during the March 22 Easter Vigil at St. Stephen’s. "You have sought the glory of God in your performing, conducting and teaching. Together with Roy and Carol Horton, you have been a singular teacher and coach to many of those musicians who served our smaller congregations. You have been an invaluable adviser to many priests and at least one bishop. Most recently, you have agreed to take the lead in efforts to coordinate, communicate, and further educate all the musicians of the Diocese. So it is with gratitude and joy that I name you Canon Precentor of the Diocese. This is both an honorary canonry for life and also a working canonry, given what you have undertaken. You have been a blessing to so many. Please know that what we do tonight is a thanksgiving to God for the gifts he has given the Church through you, and thanksgiving and recognition of you as someone who has been a dedicated steward of the gifts that come from above."
Under Laubach's leadership in 2002, St. Stephen’s large pipe organ was rebuilt by the Berghaus Organ Company of Chicago. This instrument now stands among the finest of its type in the Mid-Atlantic region, having won high praise from organists and audiences.
He served as a diocesan deputy to the Episcopal Church’s General Convention in 2003 and has been elected to serve in that capacity once again for the General Convention of 2009.
Having won first prize in the 1984 American Guild of Organists (AGO) National Young Artists' Competition in Organ Performance, he is regarded among the finest organists of his generation in the U.S.
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