You could say Catholic contemporary singer/songwriter Matt Maher is a crossover artist. Not just because his music ranges from liturgical anthems to Christian rock, but because his fan base crosses denominational boundaries.

Maher, who will be performing at the Religious Education Congress taking place March 1-4 in Anaheim, is a music minister/artist in residence at St. Timothy Church in Mesa, Arizona, the birthplace of the nationally-acclaimed Life Teen youth ministry program. Besides performing music for youth liturgies and Life Teen events, Maher has recorded three albums, winning a Unity Award for rock album of the year for his 2006 release, "Overflow."

In 2002, the same year he released his first CD, "The End and the Beginning," Maher appeared at World Youth Day in Toronto where his "Litany of the Saints" was sung at the official Papal Evening Prayer with 700,000 young pilgrims in attendance. A popular performer at ecumenical youth ministry conferences and rallies, Maher sees music as a powerful tool to connect with contemporary Christians.

"Both Catholic and non-Catholic Christian youth are completely infused with pop culture. In that sense, there needs to be a similar approach in how we communicate with them," said Maher. According to the veteran youth ministry worship leader, young people need the experience of standing together shoulder to shoulder in "corporate prayer."

While Catholic youth have a great foundation and understanding of ritual and tradition, he explained, they often lack the "ignition experience that makes everything they've learned become truly transformational."

By comparison, he noted, Protestants are quite adept at using new methods and media, including contemporary Christian music, to deliver the Gospel message. However, problems can develop with this approach, said Maher, when the message is more motivational than "truly spiritual" and reception of the message hinges on the charismatic gifts of the messenger.

A native of Newfoundland who moved to the U.S. at age 20 when his American mother and Canadian father separated, Maher says his life "changed overnight in a month" after reconnecting with his American cousin, who was involved with Life Teen activities at church.

"I came to a realization there was a God-shaped hole in my heart that maybe I was trying to fill with other things," said Maher.

He went to confession for the first time in eight years. He enjoyed the Christian youth fellowship at church, and contributed his musical talents to the youth-oriented liturgies. While a full-time music student at the University of Arizona, he began working part-time at St. Timothy's after meeting parish music minister, Tom Booth. Co-incidentally, Booth's CD, "The Best of Tom Booth" and Maher's CD, "Overflow" tied in the best rock album category in last year's Unity awards.

"It's been an amazing ten years" at the parish, said Maher. Though his parish ministry has been cut back due to his performance schedule, which has included tours in Canada, Italy, and the U.S., Maher tries to be present to help lead worship at St. Timothy's 5 p.m. Sunday night youth Mass.

He anticipates performing at World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia in 2008 and plans to continue working with ecumenical groups ministering to high school youth and college students. "I feel very called to help bridge the gap between denominations," said Maher.

He also feels called to evangelization in the wake of the clergy sexual abuse scandal, which he believes has damaged "relational ministry" so important to youth. "There needs to be a re-discussion on how to re-evangelize the church. Jesus talked to people. We need to figure out how to do the same thing. Teens don't listen to you if you don't know them," said Maher.

He says teens need to be re-assured of God's love and faithfulness. "Union with Christ is possible and essential. It's impossible to experience what it means to be fully human without it," said Maher.

Matt Maher will perform lunchtime entertainment with Nellie Cruz March 2 in the Anaheim Convention Center arena. On March 3, he will co-lead the music ministry at the 5:15 young adult Mass and perform later that evening as part of the "Light the Night" concert slate of contemporary artists. For more information on Matt Maher, log on to: www.mattmahermusic.com or www.spiritandsong.com/artists/mattmaher. For Congress news, go to www.recongress.org.