Maryland assistant secretary of state Kathy Smith reaches out in parish and beyond

When the pandemic’s economic fallout was at its worst, Kathy Smith was ready to help.

A parishioner of Sacred Heart in Glyndon, Smith knew members of her Baltimore County congregation might be struggling as people – especially in the service industry – were losing their jobs or having hours cut back. 

“So she gathered together a group of people who have different specialties in résumé writing or interviewing or those things and put together a team that could help somebody if they wanted assistance in applying for jobs,” said Father Gerard Francik, pastor.

“She loves her faith. She is on fire with the faith. She and (her husband) see their role here at Sacred Heart as trying to get the message of Jesus out to the world,” he said.

Father Francik said the program known as St. Joseph’s Ministry is just the latest example of Smith’s determination and resourcefulness. Although the economic picture is improving, Smith plans to continue St. Joseph’s Ministry to help parishioners advance in their careers, particularly, people in low-wage jobs who want to move into other roles. 

“We are living in some tough times, and folks often don’t have resources available to know how to get started. ‘What do I do? How do I even write a résumé? Do I have a résumé?’” she said.

For Smith, the role of charity permeates most aspects of her life. She currently serves as Maryland’s assistant secretary of state for charities and legal services. A special appointment by Gov. Larry Hogan, the assistant secretary of state helps regulate charities and notaries and investigates and holds hearings when charities and notaries are accused of misconduct. 

“Reputable charities become compromised when scam artists are out there, fleecing hard-earned cash from unsuspecting donors,” Smith said. “So what we do is critical because it’s for the protection of the public.” 

Yet, Smith said, when investigating people who run afoul of the regulations for charities and notaries, she always keeps in mind the Catholic principle of mercy. 

She said she always does a thorough investigation during her hearings to separate bad actors from people who failed to do their due diligence and were ignorant of the law.

“It’s recognizing that every one of us makes mistakes,” she said. “This is understanding the redemptive suffering and the mercy that (God) shows us that really informs how I approach these situations.That’s critical to have the opportunity to show mercy and show grace and offer grace.”

A native of Long Island, N.Y., Smith holds a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore. She and her husband, Joseph Smith, a former human relations executive for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, have five children and seven grandchildren.

Before her role with the state, she worked for years serving nonprofit and healthcare organizations including the National Blood Clot Alliance and Capital Campaign Committee for the Little Sisters of the Poor.

She also serves as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion and a lector at Sacred Heart.

“Faith to me is invitation and response,” she said. “God invites, we respond. The Blessed Mother responded in the most unselfish of ways … completely surrendering herself. That’s how I’ve tried to live my life, in service of God.” 

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