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.

Brother Kevin Strong, ‘one of the giants’ of the Christian Brothers, dies at 85

January 4, 2018
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries, Schools

Brother Kevin Strong, a groundbreaking leader at Calvert Hall College High School in Towson and Cardinal Gibbons School in Baltimore who served as the first president of both all-boys institutions, died Jan. 3 in New Jersey after years of declining health.

Outreach fueled by faith

December 13, 2017
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Faces of Faith, Feature, Giving, Local News, News, Urban Vicariate

Several years after Brian Gracie began raising funds to support the Franciscan Center’s emergency assistance programs for impoverished people in Baltimore, a member of his own family found himself in need of those very services.

‘Face of the Basilica’ provides welcoming presence

November 30, 2017
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Baltimore Basilica, Faces of Faith, Local News, Urban Vicariate

When visitors arrive at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, Mark Marozza is the man they are most likely to encounter.

Goodbye to one of the good guys

November 17, 2017
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Blog, Journalism, The Narthex

After decades of producing stories that go into a depth not found in some other outlets, and after many years managing newsrooms, editing pages and mentoring others, Joe Ryan is hanging up his red pen.

Legacy of caring: Sisters of the Good Shepherd leaving Baltimore

November 16, 2017
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Eastern Vicariate, Feature, Local News, News

Sister Mary Carol called it a privilege to serve some of the most vulnerable people in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. As much as the sisters extended mercy to them, Sister Mary Carol said, the girls showed mercy back.

As Baltimore City marks 300 murders, prayers for peace continue

November 3, 2017
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, Local News, News, Urban Vicariate

“People should not have to live that way,” Bishop Madden insisted. “It’s not normal that people shoot each other.”

St. Alphonsus Shrine entrusted to Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter

September 25, 2017
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Parishes, Urban Vicariate, Worship & Sacraments

“It’s a real pleasure and a real joy to be able to offer Mass in such a historic, beautiful church,” said Father Kiefer, a former Army captain who was deployed to Mogadishu in Somalia and Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.

Rosary Congress is powerful opportunity for prayer and renewal

September 12, 2017
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Worship & Sacraments

People throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore will renew their commitment to prayer and the message of Fatima during the archdiocese’s first-ever Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Congress.

Archbishop Lori calls line of questioning of judicial nominee ‘deeply disappointing’

September 8, 2017
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Religious Freedom

“These comments are a reminder that we must remain vigilant against latent bigotries that may still infect our national soul,” Archbishop William E. Lori said.

Sister Mary Neil Corcoran, ‘heart, soul and spirit’ of Esperanza Center, dies at 91

August 24, 2017
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Feature, Hispanic Ministry, Local News, News, Obituaries

Mercy Sister Mary Neil Corcoran touched the lives of thousands of immigrants through her work in Hispanic ministries and the Hispanic Apostolate in Baltimore.

All in the family: Siblings, fathers and sons celebrate ordained ministry

August 22, 2017
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Vocations

Father Michael Carrion and his brother, Father Patrick Carrion, are marking a combined 75 years in the priesthood. They hosted an Aug. 21 celebration of clergy vocations in families for other brothers, fathers and sons throughout the archdiocese.