To mark The Lay Centre’s 40th anniversary, Director Filipe Domingues shares a few words about the journey so far, the people who have been part of it, and the mission that continues today.
When I was in my mid-twenties, I had the chance to give a ride to Cardinal Claudio Hummes from my parish church to his house in São Paulo, Brazil. On the ride, he asked me to tell him about my journey in the Church, and I said that, even though I was born into a Catholic family, I only became truly engaged in parish life after Confirmation, at the age of 15. That was a life-changing moment for me. In response, he said: “When the seed falls on good soil, it grows and bears fruit.”
I am still intrigued by the Cardinal’s words: did he mean I was the soil, the seed, or the fruit mentioned in the parable?
Perhaps a little bit of everything. Perhaps there are moments in life when we receive more, and other moments when we are invited to give more.
On this morning of October 1st, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Lay Centre using the “Parable of the Sower” as our theme (Mt 13:8), that day came back to my mind.
After 12 years in Rome, I think about how my personal journey intersects with that of The Lay Centre, and I invite you to do the same.
Perhaps at times you were the soil, but today you are a seed or a fruit, growing around the world wherever you are, and nourishing others.
Today we begin a year of celebrations to remember the history of The Lay Centre, but also the novelty of its mission. Founded in 1986 by Donna Orsuto and Riekie Van Velzen, The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas was rooted in the tradition of the Church in Rome, with a strong international dimension, and, grounded in the Second Vatican Council, moved by the Spirit to promote the laity, as well as harmony among all people of faith. They inherited a charism for hospitality from the Ladies of Bethany, which we still put into practice every day.
Today, guided by our core values – faith, hospitality, dialogue, and care for our common home – we want to continue inspiring and preparing future leaders for the Church and the world for many more years.
I take this opportunity to congratulate our founders and all of you who have been part of this history: alumni, Board members, supporters, friends, and staff.
A big thank you to our benefactors, with a special mention to the Ladies of Bethany and to Ralph and Mary Dwan, without whom it would not have been possible to sustain this mission for so many years. I also want to thank the Passionist community of Ss. Giovanni e Paolo, who generously hosts us in their general house in Rome. Thank you to everyone who has supported me as Donna Orsuto’s first successor as director of The Lay Centre.
The journey continues. As the parable says: “Some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” (Mt 13:8) Please continue praying for us, in particular over this academic year, which is an opportunity to reflect on the past, present, and future of our mission.
Let’s keep sowing and harvesting together.
Obrigado,
Filipe Domingues
Director
