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.

Mega Millions winner sponsors Villa Regina Academy reunion

September 25, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Vocations

The Sept. 19-21 reunion, sponsored by Mega Millions winner Bernadette Gietka, was the first time many of the graduates had seen each other in decades, and brought back memories of their long-closed school.

Bishop Malooly installed as 9th bishop of Wilmington

September 11, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

In his 38 years of priestly ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Bishop W. Francis Malooly earned a reputation as a man of good humor, deep commitment to his faith, genuine humility and a pastoral sensitivity to others.
All those qualities were on display at St. Elizabeth Church in Wilmington, Del., Sept. 8, when Baltimore’s former western vicar was installed as the 9th bishop of Wilmington.

Archbishop O’Brien dedicates new church in Libertytown

September 8, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

When Monsignor John Dietzenbach pushed open the doors of the new St. Peter the Apostle Church in Libertytown during a Sept. 7 dedication liturgy, more than 900 parishioners looked on in stunned silence.

Pilgrims unlock treasure at Seton House

August 8, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Local News, News

Standing on the sidewalk outside a small, three-story house on Paca Street, Father John Kemper, S.S., raised one hand and dangled a long, old-fashioned key that looked like it could unlock a treasure chest.

Cultivating religious vocations among altar servers

June 19, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Uncategorized, Vocations, Western Vicariate

Designed by Father Leo Patalinghug, a former associate pastor of St. John who now serves as director of pastoral field education at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, the MC program is meant to help boys grow in faith and leadership. It is geared in a special way to encourage religious vocations.

Father Brooksbank dies at 35

May 29, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries

Father Kevin W. Brooksbank, a 35-year-old associate pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Baynesville, died May 25 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson after battling a viral infection and kidney failure.

Baltimore’s new Catholic fire chief focuses on safety, increased diversity

May 22, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

The future fire chief said he fell in love with the Catholic Church, attracted by the richness of the liturgy and the solid structure of the church. There was a sense of authenticity he longed for, he said.

Bishop Malooly confirms nine deaf teens

May 22, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Disabilities Ministry, Local News, News

Without uttering a word, nine teens from Central Maryland conveyed their love for their church using signs and gestures during a first-ever archdiocesan confirmation liturgy for the deaf community May 13.

Holy Communion offers spiritual strength to the sick

May 15, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

“Holy Communion makes you feel better that you have received Jesus,” he explained. “I’m so glad I’m able to receive it. It gives me strength.”

Townhomes go up in blighted East Baltimore community

May 15, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Urban Vicariate

The new houses are part of a 122-home development resulting from a partnership between TRF Development Partners and Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD). Seventy-five of the homes will be built from scratch, with the remaining 47 to be rehabbed.

Dr. Valenti sees benefits for proposed grant

April 25, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Schools

One day after attending an April 24 White House summit on preventing faith-based schools from closing in the inner-city, Dr. Ronald J. Valenti, Baltimore superintendent of Catholic schools, welcomed a renewed proposal from President George W. Bush to establish a “Pell Grant for Kids.”

Father Funk, Frederick pastor, dies

February 21, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries

Father Wayne G. Funk, the longtime pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Frederick who was known for his encouraging, pastoral presence, died Feb. 16 at Frederick Memorial Hospital. The 70-year-old priest had battled cancer for nearly five years.