The Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa was founded on the basic principles of Saint John Paul II's call to action in Ecclesia in Africa and the adoption of the statement A Call to Solidarity with Africa from the bishops of the United States. "The critical challenges and enormous potential facing Africa today serve as the opportunity for--and test of--our mutual solidarity. Our response to this vocation of solidarity with the Church and peoples of Africa enables us to express love 'in deed and in truth' (1 John 3:18), a love that creates no borders and sets no limits to what might be accomplished together in Christ."  --United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, A Call to Solidarity with Africa (2001) Africa faces the economic and social hurdles of enormous debt, epidemic, severe poverty, and political unrest. In spite of these challenges, the Church in Africa has almost tripled in size in the past 30 years. However, it is difficult for the church to sustain its growth and maintain essential pastoral outreach. The Fund provides grants to finance pastoral projects including outreach programs, schools, evangelization, and education of clergy and lay ministers. Our solidarity is necessary to help the "salt of the Earth" Church in Africa realize its potential as a "light of the world." A second collection will be taken the weekend of August 4-5. THANK YOU to all who have generously contributed to the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa. Your support makes a real difference in the faith lives of the people in Africa. Please continue to pray for our African sisters and brothers.