Mutual Sharing
A Twinning Relationship is an experimental process for a community to develop an awareness of Mission through a relationship with a community in Africa & Madagascar. It is the coming together in an active, mutual and on-going commitment at all levels. It brings people together in a mutual sharing of resources, faith and common witness to the mission of the Gospel and involves crossing over into other cultural, economic, political, linguistic and religious environments.
Redemptorist Africa & Madagascar Twinning Model
The Redemptorists offer a wide variety of twinning programmes with Africa and Madagascar. We support twinning programmes between the rest of the world and Africa and Madagascar in the following ways:
- School to School Twinning
- Parish to Parish Twinning
- Novena to Novena Twinning
- Youth Group to Youth Group Twinning
- Shrine to Shrine Twinning
- Retreat House to Retreat House Twinning
- Radio Station to Radio Station Twinning
- Magazine to Magazine Twinning
- A mixture of all the above
Important Features
The twinning programmes involve key elements operating under a thoughtful and robust system. Twinning relationships involve:
- Moments of prayer;
- Communication;
- Cultural sensitivity;
- Engagement with justices;
- Broad based strategies;
- Fundraising;
“Parishes often act as islands of local religious activity rather than as parts of the mystical body of Christ… A parish reaching beyond its own members and beyond national boundaries is truly a “catholic parish”…. Parishes need to be more Catholic and less parochial.” – Call to Solidarity by the United States Bishops 1997.
For more information about exploring the potential of a twinning relationship email Gerry O’Connor C.Ss.R. at gerry@africaredemptorists.com