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.

A rare birthday present for St. Joan of Arc

November 16, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Blog, The Narthex

Pope Benedict XVI minces no words when he describes the medieval judges who interrogated and sentenced St. Joan of Arc to death 580 years ago. The French clergymen were aligned with St. Joan’s political opponents, the pope said in a Jan. 26 general audience, and they “lacked charity and the humility to see God’s action in […]

Bishop Spencer honors veterans on Veterans Day

November 11, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: 9/11, Local News, News

ELLICOTT CITY – In a Veterans Day homily at St. Paul in Ellicott City, Auxiliary Bishop F. Richard Spencer of the Archdiocese for U.S. Military Services challenged Catholics to never forget the needs of the nation’s veterans.

Priests overjoyed and humbled by monsignor honors from pope

October 27, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Local News, News

Pope Benedict XVI has recognized the stellar ministry of three priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore by conferring the title “monsignor” on two of them and raising a previously named monsignor to the highest rank of monsignor.

Men in Black games get a ‘W’ in promoting vocations

October 27, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Sports, Vocations

Designed as a way of promoting religious vocations, the Men in Black basketball game was all about fun and awareness.

Baltimore sculptor honors Brooksie

October 26, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, The Narthex

Before the new statue of Baltimore’s beloved Brooks Robinson was unveiled last weekend beneath a blast of black, orange and white confetti outside Oriole Park, the bronze behemoth rested in a foundry in Pietrasanta, Italy. Standing right next to the likeness of the Hall of Fame third baseman was a replica of Michelangelo’s David. Joseph Sheppard, the Baltimore sculptor who crafted the Robinson statue, […]

Deacon James Mann honored as ‘Man for All Seasons’ at Red Mass

October 20, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Local News, News

Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien helped usher in the start of a new judicial year Oct. 13 by celebrating a “Red Mass” at St. Thomas More in Baltimore.

Little Flower fosters unity

October 6, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

“There’s always been a closeness here,” said Father Orchik, who has led the parish for nearly two decades, “but that’s even more so today. Though it has grown smaller, it has become even more closely united.”

Archbishop Hannan, 98, laid foundation for Baltimore CYO, counseled Kennedy

October 6, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries

Retired Archbishop Philip M. Hannan of New Orleans, a World War II paratroop chaplain, counselor to President John F. Kennedy, and staunch defender of civil rights and the unborn who began his ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, died Sept. 29 at age 98.

Surviving members of Baltimore historic first class of deacons reflect on ministry

September 29, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: deacons, Local News, News

As Deacons Evans and Derouaux celebrate the 40th anniversary of ordained life, the only two surviving deacons from their historic class believe the permanent diaconate has become a vital ministry in the church. They see it as a blessing.

Millersville parishioner elected national president of Holy Name Society

September 29, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

At its height, the Holy Name Society boasted more than 40,000 members in 135 parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. More than a half century later, there are now about 500 members in 18 parishes.

Tridentine Mass in Hagerstown speaks to ‘majesty of the church’

September 19, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Divine Worship, Local News, News

HAGERSTOWN – A 13-year-old girl with pink hair, black fingernails, a shiny silver belt and a hip-hop cap sat two pews in front of an elderly woman with a black veil over her head during a special Tridentine Mass celebrated Sept. 11 at St. Mary in Hagerstown.

St. Leo parishioner leads American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

September 15, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Local News, News

When Dr. Paul Rao taught for a year at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Washington four decades ago, he struggled to understand one of his students. The girl was born with a cleft palate, and had difficulty forming her words.