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.

Monsignor Nalepa, longtime pastor, dies at 70

August 6, 2012
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries

Monsignor Damien Nalepa, pastor of St. Gregory the Great in West Baltimore for 30 years and a much-respected proponent of inner-city ministry, social justice and non-violence, died suddenly at St. Gregory Aug. 4 at age 70.

Blind Mount Carmel student overcomes big challenges

June 7, 2012
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Disabilities Ministry, Local News, News, Schools, Sports

“I feel like I have to overcompensate by being the best I can in anything and everything I try,” said Dulany, his hand thumping a table for emphasis during an interview at his high school. “If I had a nickel for every time I was frustrated, I’d be rich. I didn’t give up. I never give up.”

Archbishop Lori becomes 16th Archbishop of Baltimore

May 16, 2012
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Archbishop's Ministry, Local News, News

More than 2,000 packed the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland for Archbishop William E. Lori’s installation May 16.

Archbishop Lori embraces tradition at vespers service

May 15, 2012
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Baltimore Basilica, Local News, News

Hundreds filled the Baltimore basilica for a vespers service that welcomed Baltimore’s 16th archbishop.

Father Edwin Foley, pioneering Redemptorist, dies at 91

May 3, 2012
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries

Redemptorist Father Edwin G. Foley, whose pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore included work at Our Lady of Fatima in Baltimore, St. Mary in Annapolis and Sacred Heart of Jesus in Highlandtown, was remembered as a gentle scholar who had an ability to relate to people.

Cardinal O’Brien reflects on joys and challenges of his Baltimore years

February 23, 2012
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Schools, Vocations

Cardinal O’Brien leaves an indelible mark on his adopted home – reconfiguring the school system, starting a parish-planning process, speaking out strongly in defense of life and new immigrants, supporting traditional marriage and naming key leaders to archdiocesan posts.

Monsignor Adam Parker, Cardinal O’Brien’s priest-secretary, learns from his mentor

February 23, 2012
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

Few people know Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien as well as Monsignor Adam J. Parker.

Clarity in Rome confessional

February 23, 2012
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Amen, Amen Matysek Commentary, Blog, Commentary

The Scala Sancta, “Holy Stairs,” are believed to be the passageway Jesus walked on his way to face Pontius Pilate before the crucifixion. St. Helena, mother of Constantine, brought the staircase to the Eternal City from the Holy Land in the middle of the 4th century.

Former Episcopalian Mount Calvary parishioners received into Catholic Church

January 26, 2012
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

The parishioners were the first group of Americans to be received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church through the newly established Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, an ecclesiastical structure created by Pope Benedict XVI to make it easier to welcome former Episcopalians into the Catholic Church.

Westminster parish marks 40 years of basketball, thanks to veteran volunteers

January 26, 2012
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Local News, News, Sports

WESTMINSTER – Sitting in the bleachers as the repeated booming echoes of bouncing basketballs filled St. John’s gymnasium, Larry Baker and Donald “Bo” Yingling seemed like proud fathers.

Gov. O’Malley calls for up or down vote on death penalty

January 19, 2012
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Local News, News

Calling the death penalty “an expensive and utterly ineffective tool in deterring violent crime,” Gov. Martin J. O’Malley implored members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee to allow his proposed capital punishment ban to reach the floor for a vote by the full legislative body.

Archbishop O’Brien leads Good Friday pro-life walk

January 19, 2012
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Local News, News, Respect Life

As at least seven women entered a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic on Howard Street in Baltimore April 10, about 200 Catholics stood on the opposite side of the street and peacefully prayed for them and their unborn children.