DONORS are vital to the mission. While they may not want to become formal Affiliates, their involvement is crucial. No one can go to Africa without the necessary means, nor can service be offered without the resources for a project or for maintaining a Missionary. It is quite simple: Without you, it cannot be done! We would have to close down our particular effort on behalf of Africa. Without the finances, no one can go to Africa with S.M.A., and the people will be missing something our Missionaries could have provided–perhaps even the Good News that God loves them and wants to bless them!

PLEASE contact us . We are happy to discuss the needs, and to acknowledge any gifts in the form of checks, cash, bequests from Wills, or other material resources.

S.M.A. Lay Missionaries

256 Manor Circle

Takoma Park MD 20912

Telephone 301-891-2037

Email smausa-L@smafathers.org

Those who can give nothing material still can give their PRAYERS each day for missionaries. S.M.A. can provide names and information about individual missionaries or projects if you wish to establish a long-term, mutually-supporting, spiritual relationship. Our Missionaries will also be happy to pray for your loved ones or intentions–just inform us at the address on the Hope Page of this website.

Some can do nothing formal but WITNESS to mission through their daily life of love and service to those in their care. A mother or father is missionary to their children; an employee to boss and coworkers and clients, and a friend to friends and neighbors. How we treat strangers and acquaintances as well as family, will be a measure of how we are spreading the Gospel of love, respect, and service to the needs of all.

We can continue to learn about mission and about Africa, EDUCATING OURSELVES about the lives and conditions facing people in far-away countries. Many of these are our African Catholic brothers and sisters; many are also of other faiths or nations. All are loved by God as we are.

We can all ADJUST OUR LIFESTYLES to “live simply so that others may simply live.“ Africa is rich in human gifts and resources, but many areas are suffering materially. Part of following the mission call is to walk as Jesus did, without the burden of excessive possessions and hoarding that removes resources from the people who are desperately in need of them. Sharing with others is a key aspect of mission in this world of unequal distribution. It also frees us for the riches of spiritual growth.

Finally, we can SERVETHOSE WHO ARE CLOSE AT HAND as well as those far away. Those who are in our own families, homes and neighborhoods, in great need, are equally important. Mission service is as precious in our own streets as in foreign lands. There are many domestic mission and volunteer groups (see Links) as well as parish ministries in every location. If you are not already involved, consider these.

All of us are called by Jesus and by the Church to live and serve as he did, both to those in our immediate circle and to those far away whom we may never meet.