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.

St. Wenceslaus is welcoming force and beacon of hope

June 2, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Parish Anniversary 2022

St. Wenceslaus has been a welcoming presence in East Baltimore for 150 years.

Deacon Bors follows unusual path to the priesthood

June 2, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2022, News, Vocations

Deacon James Bors decided to devote the rest of his life to serving God and the church. He will be ordained to the priesthood June 18 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

Archbishop Lori calls for stepped-up support of pro-life efforts

May 19, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Archbishop's Ministry, Feature, Local News, News, Respect Life, Supreme Court

As Americans wait for a final decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on overturning the Roe V. Wade decision legalizing abortion, Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori called on Catholics to pray for an end to abortion and to redouble their efforts in support of pregnant women and their families.

At Baltimore Basilica, Cardinal Sarah says holiness is possible

May 16, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Baltimore Basilica, Feature, Local News, News

An evening talk, which was preceded by a morning Mass celebrated by Cardinal Robert Sarah, was part of the closing celebration of the 200th anniversary of the dedication of the Baltimore Basilica, the first Catholic cathedral built in the United States.

Journey to the priesthood in Baltimore: 9 to be ordained transitional deacons

May 12, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Vocations

Archbishop William E. Lori will ordain nine men transitional deacons during a 10 a.m. Mass May 21 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Ordination to the transitional diaconate is the penultimate step toward ordination to the priesthood.

Monsignor Tewes, former pastor and mentor to future priests, dies

May 4, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries

A much-loved priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Monsignor Tewes served as an associate pastor and then pastor of what is now New All Saints in Liberty Heights from 1963 to 1974. He was then pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption in Govans from 1974 to 1984, St. Michael in Overlea from 1984 to 1992 and Our Lady of Hope from 1992 to 2000.

James Sellinger, chancellor of education, will retire June 30

May 2, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

James B. Sellinger, chancellor of education for the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Department of Catholic Schools for nearly eight years, will retire June 30, Archbishop William E. Lori announced May 2.

Priests say Archbishop Lori is their friend and ally

May 1, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Archbishop Lori Milestones, Feature, Local News, News

Father Louis Bianco, now rector of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland, said he observed firsthand how Archbishop William E. Lori made his priests a priority no matter what was on his agenda.

Governor, mayor see Archbishop Lori as ‘trusted partner’

May 1, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Archbishop Lori Milestones, Feature, Local News, News

Archbishop William E. Lori is a well-known figure in Maryland’s political circles. Known for his gentle manner and for being a steady advocate for issues of concern to Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, he meets and speaks regularly with a variety of leaders from both sides of the political aisle.

Father Steffener, a beloved fixture at Westminster parish, dies at 91

April 20, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries

Father Gerard James Steffener died April 13 at BridgingLife Dove House in Westminster. He was 91.

S.S.N.D. general superior says order’s ministry remains strong despite declining numbers

April 12, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Consecrated Life, Feature, Local News, News, Vocations, War in Ukraine

While their numbers may be fewer, the School Sisters of Notre Dame are providing vital ministry around the world, according to Sister Roxanne Schares, Rome-based general superior of the S.S.N.D. religious community.

Seminarians evangelize Towson University

April 5, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Colleges, Eucharist, Feature, Local News, News, Vocations

Eighteen seminarians from Mount St. Mary’s were on Towson University’s campus Feb. 27 to March 1 at the invitation of the university’s Catholic campus ministry based at the Newman Center. With permission from the secular university, they had opportunities for faith sharing not only with Catholic students, but also with students of many different religions – and of no religion at all.