Catherine DeBritz became the SLM’s first lay assistant director in 1995. She joined the staff after her years of service as a lay missioner and brought a wealth of knowledge about “life in the field” to her role. In 1996, Catherine organized what came to be known as Proyecto Amistad (Project Friendship), a ten day service trip to the Centro Juvenil Oratoria Don Bosco in Huatabampo, Mexico.
Lay leadership of the SLMs changed hands in late 1996 when Catherine Ramirez began as the Assistant Director. Like Ms DeBritz, Catherine Ramirez had served as a lay missioner in the program, and so she was keenly aware of the challenges and rewards of service.