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.

Father Peach to become Carmelite hermit

November 20, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Vocations

Father Patrick Peach is turning in his black clerics and white collar for a brown tunic.

Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh finds winning combination

November 20, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Sports

John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens says his Catholic faith is central to who he is.

Archbishop dedicates Pope John Paul II prayer garden

October 30, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Baltimore Basilica, Local News, News

Seeing himself cast in bronze alongside Pope John Paul II in a new downtown statue brought back a flood of memories for Justin Farinelli.

Baltimore woman professes final vows

October 19, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Vocations

Sister Maria del Fiat Miola was studying abroad in Italy during her junior year at Columbia University when she encountered a group of women at St. Peter’s Square who would change her life.

Marianist brother works to change attitudes on the death penalty

October 14, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Respect Life

A passionate death penalty abolitionist who corresponds with a former death row inmate and who regularly carries signs protesting the death penalty in front of Baltimore’s Supermax prison, Brother Frank believes attitudes can only be changed if people recognize the dignity of every human life.

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.