“
“At The Lay Centre, I learned that the openness of our hearts and minds, as well as our behaviour and attitude, can impact our surroundings. This is a place of communion, where we take care of one another and share the values and characteristics of Christ.”
Sadaf Yaqub, Pakistan
“
“The exercise of ‘tuning’ our common prayer and liturgies according to the needs and gifts of the residents was a unique experience in growing and listening to others. It allowed us to provide a different kind of care or service to the community and its members.”
Tommaso Bacci, Italy
“
“I loved The Lay Centre and the time there was wonderful. I felt at home. It was a very warm and welcoming surrounding. I made friends there who are still friends. I also discovered the world of interreligious dialogue and, specifically, the Catholic world.”
Shulamit Miller, Israel
“
“If you are searching for a place to grow in all areas of life. This is the place to be. The Lay Centre is a home, where you learn to love with your talents, serving the community, where you grow in knowledge, learning from others, where you deepen your faith, praying for each other and sharing life struggles.”
Stefanie Bross, Germany
“
“I learned so much about the different work lay people were doing or hoped to do in the Church. I was edified to see how hard my fellow students were working, how seriously they took their prayer lives and how much they encouraged one another to pursue their studies and vocations.”
Dianne Traflet, USA
“
“Here we have opportunities to learn from experts in different areas, workshops on leadership and the general exposure to different beliefs and worldviews that come from living in an international, intercultural, interreligious community. The strength that the community provides through rich conversations, nightly prayer, and a shared life is a source of comfort and hope.”
Tere Ávila, Mexico
“
"It has been a great advantage to have people who study similar things to me and to be able to ask questions and think together. Community evenings have always been moments of great growth. I always continue thinking a lot about what I heard.”
Maria Rocha, Portugal
“
“This community has restored my hope in the Church, and has given me the grace to share the journey with other laypeople, full of a desire to learn and serve. It has also been a fundamental space to motivate me to keep my spiritual habits always alive.”
Daniela N. Giraldo, Colombia
“
"A highlight of living at The Lay Centre were the friendships, where there is genuine openness for discussion. Also, the Wednesday evening community nights and the high-calibre guests invited by The Lay Centre have been very enriching. I’ve learned a lot about different aspects of the Catholic Church, including its spirituality, theology, and practical aspects of its functioning."
Francis Chan, Hong Kong
“
“It's fascinating. Sharing practices and rituals with people from different faiths made me realize our shared humanity. The growth in understanding diverse viewpoints and participating in meaningful practices, even if initially unfamiliar, is great.”
Yarden Millington, Israel
“
“Participating in The Lay Centre community made me reflect on the community of my own tradition and how I can carry the wisdom gained here into the future for the benefit of others.”
Sayalay Sandardikar, Myanmar
“
“The community has certainly been supportive over the course of my studies, with each of its members contributing in their own way in making it a welcoming and peaceful space in which to have enriching exchanges of ideas, constructive interactions, as well as moments of fun together.”
Elia Gittardi, Italy
“
“I would describe my experience at The Lay Centre as an opportunity, a blessing, a privilege. [...] In the Centre, dialogue wasn’t just about ideas; it grew out of friendship. You learned to listen, to understand, and to find common ground even with differences.”
David Angeles Garnica, Mexico
“
"My time there influenced how I understand my role as a layperson in the Church and what it means today to be a lay leader, that is, an active person in the world, rooted in faith, and committed to dialogue. Indeed, laypeople have a vital role in bridging Church and society, faith and mission, study and action."
Dimitrios Keramidas, Greece
