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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.