Every lay person is a representative of Jesus
and must try to witness to Jesus in whatever way is practical

"Besides this apostolate which certainly pertains to all Christians,
the laity can also be called in various ways to a more direct form of cooperation in the apostolate.
This was the way certain men and women assisted Paul the Apostle in the Gospel.
Further, they have the capacity to assume from the Hierarchy certain ecclesiastical functions

Upon all the laity, therefore, rests the noble duty of working to extend the divine plan of salvation
to all people of each epoch and in every land.
Consequently, may every opportunity be given them so that,
according to their abilities and the needs of the times,
they may zealously participate in the saving work of the Church"

That's the theory.

But so many priests and religious,
so many religious groups,
are still trying to do everything by themselves
without much real participation of the laity

So many "leadership teams" rarely if ever invite lay associates to their meetings

A monthly parish council meeting can just become a rubber stamp

There are so many stories of lay people offering to help
only to have their offer declined

Each year around the world, 
thousands of lay people finish their degrees in Scripture, theology, pastoral studies, counselling etc
and many of them would love to work full or part time for the Church,
but vacancies/opportunities are few

The only way some leadership teams (including dioceses) hand over responsibility to lay people
is when the supply of priests/religious runs dry.
Then the lay people are invited to set up educational/medical/pastoral boards 
to keep things running....and they do a good job!

Real participation/partnership
means sharing of responsibilities,
sharing in decision making,
sharing in financial management

In his book A Portrait of Jesus,
Joseph Girzone tells how he did things when he was a pastor.
He responsibly handed over the running of his parish to the lay people.
He just concentrated on the spiritual side of things.
Easier said than done, but he did it

Jesus, "may every opportunity be given to the laity"