Collaboration with The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas, Rome, Italy
Since 2018, ICSST has partnered with The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas, which is internationally recognized for its promotion of the lay vocation and collaborative leadership among Christians of diverse denominations. Our collaboration is focused on developing educational programs to strengthen the preparation for the ministry of lay catechist, a new ministry established by Pope Francis.
Our work entailed creating, promoting, organizing and delivering:
“Catechesis in an Ecumenical and Global Context”
A graduate course taught at ICSST by the Director of the Lay Centre, Donna Orsuto,
S.T.D.
"The Joy of Discovering and Communicating our New Life in Christ: Catechesis in the
21st Century"
A catechetical conference conference was held on July 30, 2022 to promote the officially
established ministry of lay catechist and provide an educational program to strengthen
the support of ordained pastors through strategic collaboration with trained lay catechists.
Titled The Joy of Discovering and Communicating our New Life in Christ: Catechesis in the 21st Century, the day included reflection, prayer, discussion and support, centered on the ministry of lay catechists. Led by Lay Centre leaders and ICSST faculty, it was attended by one hundred DREs and catechists, with 70 in-person and 30 online (from as far away as Mexico). It focused on promoting collaborative ministry and affirming lay evangelization in the United States, and it included a Q&A session after each talk. The retreat received both positive feedback and wide distribution of highlights through an article in the Fall 2022 edition of the newsletter of ICSST.
"Grace and Action: The Ministry of Catechists in the Footsteps of St. Paul"
An international seminar and pilgrimage, "Grace and Action: The Ministry of Catechists
in the Footsteps of St. Paul" took place at the Vatican and in Rome, Italy from July
16 - 21, 2023 with presentations from global church leaders focused on sharing intellectual
perspectives and pastoral experiences about this ministry. The week concluded with
a two-day pilgrimage focusing on following in the steps of St. Paul.
Interesting in learning more? Find out more about the conference, view keynote sessions and watch interviews with conference participants. Take a look at our YouTube playlist »