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 150 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.

Archbishop Lori will ordain 14 permanent deacons Sept. 30

September 28, 2023
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: deacons, Feature, Local News, News, Vocations

Archbishop William E. Lori will ordain 14 men to the permanent diaconate during a 10 a.m. Mass Sept. 30 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

Baltimore’s beloved Brooks Robinson, Catholic convert, dies at 86

September 27, 2023
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries, Sports

Brooks Robinson, the Hall of Fame third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles whose unmatched fielding prowess and dedication to his adopted hometown endeared him to generations of Baltimoreans, died Sept. 26. He was 86.

New artwork honors hero of Cumberland

September 26, 2023
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, Local News, News, Saints, Western Vicariate

It took Scott a full year to design and sculpt the nearly three-foot statue of Blessed Seelos, which was erected in March at the Shrine of Ss. Peter in Paul. Blessed Seelos walked the very grounds where his likeness now stands, when he served as pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul and prefect of students at a Redemptorist seminary in Cumberland from 1857 to 1862.

Perfect harmony: Music internship program helps parishes in Western Maryland

September 20, 2023
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Divine Worship, Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate

Music interns from Frostburg State University are helping to bring new life to liturgies at Divine Mercy Parish in Western Maryland.

Kicking up fun: Kickball tournament brings young adults together

September 17, 2023
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Seek the City to Come, Sports, Young Adult Ministry

Sixteen teams made up of 160 players competed in the daylong Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Sept. 16 Catholic Young Adult Kickball Tournament at St. Mary’s Seminary.

Fishy business: Aquaponics lab yields big results at Bishop Walsh

September 6, 2023
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools, Western Vicariate

Now in its second year, the aquaponics lab at Bishop Walsh School helps students learn science in what school leaders said is a fun and dynamic way.

Filling the food gap: Cumberland food pantry steps up to meet need

September 6, 2023
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate

In June, St. Anthony Place served 331 people, a 40 percent increase from the same month a year earlier. In July, the pantry served 339 people, also a 40 percent increase from last year.

NDP celebrates 150 years of ‘responding to the signs of the times’

September 1, 2023
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

School Sister of Notre Dame Patricia McCarron, headmistress since 2005, said God’s grace is what has sustained NDP over its long, storied history. Members of the community have shared a willingness to trust in God’s faithfulness, she said, “daring to respond to the signs of the times.”

Catholic Young Adult Kickball Tournament bigger than ever

August 31, 2023
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Evangelization, Feature, Local News, News, Sports, Young Adult Ministry

The second Catholic Young Adult Kickball Tournament, set for Sept. 16 at St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park, is shaping up to be even bigger than last year’s inaugural event.

Archbishop Lori issues guidelines for pastoral accompaniment of LGBT Catholics

July 20, 2023
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, From the Archbishop, Local News, Ministry, News

Ministry to LGBT Catholics and their families must balance a “life-giving” tension between showing love and a genuine sense of welcome to all while also faithfully teaching the truth about human sexuality revealed by God in creation, Scripture and tradition.

A prayer for Father Joe Breighner

July 14, 2023
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, The Narthex

How do you come up with thousands of column ideas over the course of half a century even as you are devoting your life to so many other ministries – including an immensely popular radio show that reached audiences across the country?

No place like Bill’s Place in Western Maryland

July 11, 2023
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate

A priest walking into a bar is no joke at Bill’s Place, a remote, log-cabin hangout right in the heart of Western Maryland’s 49,000-acre Green Ridge State Forest.