By Erika Anderson Redding
ATLANTA – Maureen Smith is home — and she couldn’t be happier.
Smith recently joined the Archdiocese of Atlanta as the new director of communications. Born and raised in Atlanta, Smith believes that she is exactly where God wants her — and her family — to be.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity and for all the people who have welcomed us back with open arms,” she said. “It’s been very affirming to know we’re in the right place.”
Smith’s roots in the archdiocese run deep. Baptized at what is now the Basilica of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Atlanta where her father was a deacon for 25 years, Smith also attended St. Thomas More School in Decatur and St. Pius X High School in Atlanta. For her, Atlanta is home — and she can’t wait to learn more
When Smith’s husband, Jeff Amy, a reporter with the Associated Press (AP), was transferred to Jackson, Mississippi, Smith began her career with the Catholic Church, first as a reporter and editor for Mississippi Catholic, the official newspaper for the Diocese of Jackson. In 2015, when Bishop Joseph Kopacz realized the need for a Depart
ment of Communications, he turned to Smith for her expertise.
“It was a really great opportunity to start the department and build it from scratch,” she said.
Smith began her new role in the Archdiocese of Atlanta Oct. 23. She is looking forward to traveling throughout the archdiocese and learning about the history and culture. Jackson is a vast diocese, stretching to the Tennessee border, but Atlanta has more residents — and Smith hopes to meet as many as she can.
“I think it’s such a blessing to be able to do what you love to do in service to the church,” she said. “What we do as Catholic communicators is tell the Gospel story by telling the story of the local church and the church at large. It’s really a privilege.”
Smith and Amy live with their two daughters — Cat, a freshman at St. Pius, and Nicole a sixth-grader at St. Thomas More — in northeast Atlanta.
“I’m just so excited to be home,” she said. “This is a huge blessing for us.”