The mission of the Parish Twinning Program of the Americas (PTPA) is to serve those in need by:
- Developing and maintaining linkages of Catholic parishes, institution, and individuals in North America with parishes and institutions in the Caribbean and Latin America
- Encouraging prayerful solidarity, empowering our sisters and brothers in the Caribbean and Latin America
- Providing resources and support in religious, educational, medical and economic areas
- Promoting awareness among Catholics of the injustices present and our gospel call to respond concretely
- Assisting North American parishes to develop models for outreach to their sister parishes
We support our mission by:
- Promoting awareness among Catholics of the injustices and disparity that exists between developed and underdeveloped countries
- Offering resources for our sisters and brothers in Latin America and the Caribbean to empower themselves.
- Exhibiting sensitivity towards the new cultures that are being encountered; treading lightly and mindfully
- Encouraging respect for the complexity and beauty of other cultures
Objectives:
- Develop and maintain real personal relationships between individuals and underdeveloped communities in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Encourage and facilitate visits and correspondence between twinned parishes
- Support efforts to develop outreach programs in sister parishes
- Encourage and enable North American parishes to provide resources and support in the areas of religion, education, health and community development
- Respect the knowledge of the Latin American and Caribbean pastors, allowing them to use their discretion and initiative in the disbursement of funds and direct the development of their community
- Encourage North American parishioners to learn as much as possible about the culture, history and language of their sister parish
