One special way parishes have reached out in solidarity is through a process known as twinning, in which a parish in the United States develops an ongoing relationship with a parish in another part of the world.
More than 1,700 parishes in the United States have connected in special relationships with Catholic communities in Central and South America. These bridges of faith offer as much to U.S. parishes as their partners. We are evangelized and changed as we help other communities of faith. ("Called to Global Solidarity: International Challenges for U.S. Parishes" Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference. 1997)