Southern Nebraska Register
Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House will host world-renowned Catholic music artist Matt Maher for a live, outdoor concert Sunday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m.
Editors note: due to inclement weather, the Aug. 13 concert will be held at Pius X High School, Lincoln.
The event will kick off the retreat house’s celebration of its 60th anniversary year.
Maher is a world-renowned Catholic music artist. Some of his highlights include singing the Litany of the Saints for Pope John Paul II at World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto; leading worship at the Rally for Youth in Yonkers, N.Y., during Pope Benedict XVI’s 2008 visit; and performing for Pope Francis both at World Youth Days and at Philadelphia during the World Meeting of Families 2015.
Bishop James Conley, in 2016, wrote about Maher’s musical contributions to Eucharistic adoration at World Youth Day in Brazil in 2013.
“It was an extraordinary experience to kneel before the Blessed Sacrament at Copacabana Beach,” he wrote. “Catholic musician Matt Maher led us in worship – more than 3 million people – and Pope Francis, sang ‘Lord, I need you, Oh, I need you,’ as Maher softly played the guitar.”
He also recounted Maher’s musical talents at World Youth Day in 2016 in Krakow, Poland.
“I watched as tears streamed down faces, and young people touched by the moment lined up for the sacrament of confession,” he wrote.
“Music can be a powerful part of our relationships with Almighty God. And every culture and generation sings songs and hymns of praise and thanksgiving that speak the love of their hearts.”
Maher graduated from Arizona State University and started his music career as a music director at St. Timothy Church in Mesa, Ariz. Sarina Stokes, marketing manager at Good Counsel Retreat House, used to attend St. Timothy Church in Mesa.
“I feel as if I’m bringing a little bit of my native Arizona home to my friends here in Nebraska,” Stokes said, “and sharing the legacy he started there, even though Matt Maher is practically known by everyone throughout the world.”
By 2005, Maher had released three independent albums and signed a publishing deal, with a recording deal to soon follow. The nine-time Grammy nominee and three-time GMA Dove Award winner has released 10 studio albums. He has also written or co-written six No. 1 radio singles.
Tickets for the Matt Maher outdoor concert are $15, and can be purchased at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House website: goodcounselretreat.org/60years. Tickets can also be purchased in Omaha at Spirit Catholic Radio, Gloria Deo, and Cosgraves; in the Lincoln area at Good Counsel Retreat House (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday) and Gloria Deo.
Other upcoming festivities for the 60th anniversary year of festivities include an outdoor Mass with Bishop Conley Tuesday, Aug. 15, for the feast of the Assumption of Mary at 7:30 p.m., and a gala dinner will be held Friday, Sept. 29, at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln.
Editors note: due to inclement weather, the Aug. 13 concert will be held at Pius X High School, Lincoln.
