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.

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.

Clarksville parish restores 1855 chapel

February 7, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

After a recently completed $700,000 restoration, the small chapel has been stabilized, a new roof added, the exterior made over and the interior returned to the elegant simplicity that characterized the structure at the time it was erected in 1855.

Father Lavin’s book urges compassion for new immigrants

January 24, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News

ANNAPOLIS – Father John Lavin, C.Ss.R., still chuckles when he remembers the day Jesus got held up by U.S. Customs.

Cumberland remembers Bishop Walsh, its missionary hero

January 10, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Religious Freedom, Saints

Twenty-seven years after his death, leaders of Bishop Walsh’s home parish are working to raise awareness about a man whose virtuous exploits seem less recognized with each passing decade.

New S.S.N.D. leader outlines priorities

December 6, 2007
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Vocations

In the face of what she sees as an increasingly polarized and splintered world, the newly-elected global leader of the School Sisters of Notre Dame said she hopes to promote a sense of solidarity among humanity.

MCC leader says special session helped the poor

November 19, 2007
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Local News, News

On the same day Maryland lawmakers concluded a three-week special legislative session to address the state’s budget deficit Nov. 19, the leader of the Maryland Catholic Conference praised lawmakers for making the poor a priority in their planning.

Murdered daughter’s mother says death penalty must go

November 15, 2007
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Local News, News, Respect Life

When police arrested the serial rapist who brutally assaulted and murdered Shannon Schieber in 1998, the Schieber family faced unrelenting pressure to seek the death penalty.