George P. Matysek Jr.

George Matysek, a member of the Catholic Review staff since 1997, is managing editor of Catholic Review Media. He oversees news coverage of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is a host of Catholic Review Radio.

George has won more than 125 national and regional journalism and broadcasting awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, the Catholic Media Association, the Associated Church Press and National Right to Life. The Catholic Media Association named him both Editor of the Year and Podcaster of the Year in 2024. He has reported from Guyana, Guatemala, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.

A native Baltimorean, George is a graduate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Essex. He holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and a master's degree from UMBC. George, his wife and six children live in Rodgers Forge. He is a parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

Baltimore-area Catholics pray for new pope, express excitement for his leadership

May 8, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, Feature, Local News, News, Vatican

Many of the approximately 100 people who gathered at a cathedral adorned with yellow and white papal bunting expressed shock at the election of an American pope. But there was also a sense of excitement.

Archbishop Lori surprised, heartened by selection of American pope

May 8, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, Feature, Local News, News, Vatican

As French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced to the world May 8 that Cardinal Robert F. Prevost had been elected as the successor to Pope Francis, Archbishop William E. Lori and several of his closest advisors appeared visibly stunned.

Missionary discipleship sees growth after Seek the City initiative

May 8, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Evangelization, Feature, Local News, News, Seek the City to Come

Across the Archdiocese of Baltimore, a renewed call to missionary discipleship is taking root. It is most recently outlined in “A Light Brightly Visible 3.0,” a pastoral letter released Ash Wednesday by Archbishop William E. Lori, and was the foundation of the archdiocese’s Seek the City to Come pastoral planning initiative that merged 61 Baltimore-area parishes into 30 worship sites.

Archbishop Lori to ordain five transitional deacons May 3

May 1, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Vocations

Archbishop William E. Lori will ordain five men transitional deacons during a special 10 a.m. Mass May 3 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. The liturgy marks the final step before their anticipated ordination to the priesthood next year.

Pope’s Jesuit identity had profound impact on parishes, schools

April 22, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Remembering Pope Francis, Saints

In an era of intense conflict during the Counter-Reformation, St. Ignatius viewed the church’s role as a summons for believers to strive to be the best Christians they could be – an imperative the late Pope Francis embraced as his own, Father Stephen Spahn said.

Archbishop Lori encourages Catholics to attend April 21 Mass in memory of Pope Francis

April 21, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Remembering Pope Francis, Vatican

A special Mass remembering the late pontiff will be held April 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. Pope Francis died earlier that day at the age of 88.

Siblings in the seminary: Boegner brothers begin formation for priesthood

April 7, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Vocations

The parishioners of St. Ignatius in Hickory are both in their propaedeutic year – their first year of seminary formation – with Mark, 23, stationed at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore and Ben, 28, assigned to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg.

Maryland March for Life participants urged to remain steadfast

March 28, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Respect Life

Nearly five months after Marylanders overwhelmingly voted to enshrine abortion in the state Constitution – and just weeks after Maryland lawmakers agreed to use a $25 million fund to help pay for abortions – hundreds of unwavering pro-life advocates took to the streets of Annapolis March 27 for the 46th annual Maryland March for Life.

Witness to truth

March 24, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Amen, Amen Matysek Commentary, Commentary, Feature

George Matysek Jr. remembers the late Elizabeth Ann Murphy, a victim-survivor of child sexual abuse and a fierce advocate for justice. She dedicated her life to ensuring survivors’ voices were heard, challenging fellow Catholics to listen and take action.

Youths rally for continued state support for nonpublic school students

March 6, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland General Assembly, News, Schools

Meant to capture the attention of lawmakers, the signs highlighted the importance of continued funding for important state programs such as the BOOST (Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today) scholarship initiative that provides tuition assistance to help students from low-income families attend nonpublic schools in Maryland.

Confirmation now set for 9-year-old children in Archdiocese of Baltimore

March 4, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Worship & Sacraments

Archbishop William E. Lori is lowering the standard age for confirmation in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to 9.

Tuition is competitive in Catholic high schools

February 24, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

The average tuition for Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore that charge traditional tuition was $19,098 in the 2024-25 academic year, an increase of 4.2 percent from last year’s expenses, according to the Catholic Review’s annual survey of nonpublic school tuition expenses.