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 125 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.

Historic St. Michael Church closes in Fells Point

July 31, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

Despite Deacon Richard Novak’s familiar injunction to “go in peace to love and serve the Lord,” few parishioners seemed eager to leave following the July 31 morning Mass at St. Michael in Fells Point.

Father Hemler, Fallston pastor, mourned at 74

July 28, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries

Father Edward B. Hemler, longtime pastor of St. Mark in Fallston and a former leader in Catholic education, died July 24 after suffering years of declining health.

Special report: Deep-rooted Polish faith faces secular challenge

July 21, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, Arts & Culture, Local News, News, World News

Poland, one of Europe most Catholic nations, is facing new challenge in the practice of the faith as more people turn to Western secularization.

SPECIAL REPORT: Baltimore has special connection to popularizing devotion to the Infant of Prague

July 14, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Local News, News, World News

Every year, more than 1 million pilgrims from around the globe travel to the Czech Republic, praying in front of the Infant of Prague. They carry on a practice that stretches back hundreds of years.

Our Lady of the Butterflies

July 14, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Blog, The Narthex

An image of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child is made out of African butterfly wings. (CR Staff/George P. Matysek Jr.) One of the great joys of my recent pilgrimage to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland was meeting Father Anastasio Roggero. The Carmelite priest, who shepherds the Church of Our Lady Victorious […]

Father Hilgartner helps nation’s Catholics prepare for new translation of Roman Missal

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

Father Richard B. Hilgartner’s jaw dropped the first time he read bits of a draft of the new English translation of the Roman Missal – the book of liturgical prayers that is scheduled to be introduced in parishes Nov. 27.

‘And with your spirit’: Father Hilgartner previews liturgical change

June 24, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Divine Worship, Local News, News

The Latin is, “Dominus vobiscum et cum spiritu tuo.” It contains no verb. It’s as much a statement of fact as it is a greeting, Father Hilgartner said.

Archbishop O’Brien ordains 14 permanent deacons

May 14, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: deacons, Local News, News

The newly ordained men represent the largest class of deacons for the Archdiocese of Baltimore in more than a decade. All married, they hail from as far west as Oakland in Garrett County and they include the president-CEO of a hospital, a scientist, a social worker and a biomedical research manager.

Cumberland town meeting addresses need for parish restructuring

May 5, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

CUMBERLAND – In an April 28 town meeting marked by a combination of hopefulness, apprehension and anger, approximately 250 people gathered at St. Mary in Cumberland to ask questions about a proposal to create a new area parish out of five existing ones.

Letters that made a difference

April 26, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Blog, The Narthex

Father Milton Hipsley holds his rosary at his Mercy Ridge residence in Timonium last year. (CR/Owen Sweeney III) Father Milton Hipsley’s letters started arriving on my desk in the summer of 2009. Very neatly written in all capital letters, the notes always seemed focused on the importance of kindness and of taking time for

Pope John Paul II’s visit to Baltimore touched many lives

April 19, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Local News, News

Jim and Pat McDonnell spent less than a minute in the presence of Pope John Paul II, but it was enough to change their lives.

Clergy shortage, shifting demographics bring need for change

April 14, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

“Since I have been working in multiple-parish ministry, I have been struck by the importance of working with a team of people – most of whom, of course, are lay Catholics,” Monsignor Hannon said. “We work together for the good of our parishes and for the good of the archdiocese.”