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.

Archdiocese of Baltimore community rallies in support of Ukraine

March 24, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Archbishop's Ministry, Feature, Local News, News, War in Ukraine

As Father Vasyl Sivinskyi swung open the metal gates of East Baltimore’s St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church on a misty March 17 morning, Mary Ellen Beaty-O’Ferrall was already waiting for him with four large boxes.

Major leaguer makes amends after smashing ball into pastor’s car

March 21, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools, Sports

Driving along Putty Hill Avenue in Towson Feb. 17 on his way to buy some multivitamins, the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Baynesville heard a loud crash and saw pieces of an outdoor mirror fly up onto his windshield and then off his Honda CR-V.

51 years overdue, three books returned to Loyola-Notre Dame Library

March 2, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Books, Colleges, Feature, Local News, News

Danielle Whren Johnson, a Loyola-Notre Dame librarian, said books that were checked out 51 years ago were recently returned in a bin at a public library and then forwarded to Loyola-Notre Dame Library.

As Ukrainian Americans fear for loved ones in war, Archbishop Lori offers solidarity

February 27, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, War in Ukraine

Archbishop William E. Lori offered solidarity with the Ukrainian community, greeting parishioners prior to morning worship and listening to harrowing stories of family members besieged in Ukraine. He strongly condemned the invasion.

Deacon George Evans, one of the first permanent deacons in the U.S., dies at 88

February 25, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries

Deacon George Evans Sr., one of the first permanent deacons ordained in the United States and the last surviving member of the first class of permanent deacons from the Archdiocese of Baltimore, died Feb. 18. He was 88.

Pioneering Baltimorean was nation’s first Black woman to receive an officer’s commission in the Air Force

February 24, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Racial Justice, Schools

Ortega made history by becoming the nation’s first African American woman directly commissioned as a U.S. Air Force officer.

El Padre John Lavin, líder pionero en el ministerio hispano, muere a los 80 años

February 15, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: En Español

In English El Padre Redentorista John P. Lavin, un líder pionero del Ministerio Hispano de la Arquidiócesis de Baltimore y expárroco de la Comunidad Católica de San Miguel y San Patricio en Fells Point, murió el 12 de febrero en Stella Maris en Timonium. El sacerdote tenía 80 años. El originario de Boston llegó a […]

Father John Lavin, pioneering leader in Hispanic ministry, dies at 80

February 15, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Hispanic Ministry, Local News, News, Obituaries

Redemptorist Father John P. Lavin, a pioneering leader in Hispanic ministry within the Archdiocese of Baltimore and a former pastor of the Catholic Community of St. Michael and St. Patrick in Fells Point, died Feb. 12 at Stella Maris in Timonium. He was 80.

Catholic schools in Archdiocese of Baltimore moving to optional masking where permitted

February 11, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News, Schools

Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore will adopt an optional mask policy effective Feb. 14 in most jurisdictions that do not mandate masks in schools. The new policy replaces a previous requirement that masks be worn in all Catholic schools.

Catholic Review survey shows tuition at Catholic high schools more affordable than alternatives

February 9, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

According to an annual tuition survey by the Catholic Review, Catholic high schools in the archdiocese that charge traditional tuition currently have an average tuition of $16,950. That represents only a 1.4 percent increase from the previous academic year’s average tuition.

How can we be peacemakers in a divided world?

December 24, 2021
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Baltimore Basilica, Christmas, Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate

In this Christmas season, Christians are often reminded that Christ is the “Prince of Peace” foretold by the prophet Isaiah. We sing songs of peace on earth and good will toward all. But what does it mean to be a peacemaker? What are practical ways to heal the divide?

Man of Action: Matt Birk boldly embraces pro-life cause

December 22, 2021
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Respect Life, Sports, Year of St. Joseph

Matt Birk is best known as the hardworking center who helped the Baltimore Ravens win a Superbowl in 2013. He’s also a devoted Catholic, father of eight and a champion of the pro-life cause.