I love candles as they always make me think of Advent and Christmas and that sense of the light shining in the darkness and bringing hope to the world. Just as we know spring will follow winter, so Fr Chris Thomas suggests that we should not be depressed by the signs of death we see around us in the Church, because new life is sure to come.

Eileen O’Kane in her article writes about the true meaning of Advent and challenges us to repair any relationships that we might have allowed to deteriorate. In the run up to Christmas there can be lots of demands on us to give to various charities and good causes. David Palmer asks why we find it hard to ask for money and I face up to the reason, why this is difficult for me.

The end of the Church year is also a time when the readings from the Liturgy focus on what’s known as the “last things”: Heaven, Hell, The Second Coming and the Last Judgement”. In his article “Is Jesus Coming Soon?” Dom Benedict Heron OSB, explains why he has changed his mind on this question in recent years. He now believes, in line with many Pentecostals, that the Second Coming will be soon. Cardinal Ratzinger in the final part of his article on the New Evangelisation, looks at the mystery of Christ and the Last Judgement and how this impinges on our life now.

In October the Pope inaugurated a year of the Eucharist, so it’s interesting that at a grass roots level, many people are being drawn once again to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This is particularly true in Scotland (see Scottish news) and Ireland. Pat Welling underlines this in her article too when she shares how she has felt a new call to sit before the Lord to be refreshed and receive new empowering.

This need to pray and really beseech the Lord to receive the gifts of the Spirit that we need for his work, is emphasised by Roy Hendy. Meanwhile Fr Pat Collins CM re.ects on the conditions needed if we are to hear God speak to us. Charles Whitehead, in his piece, reminds us that when things start getting dificult in our lives, we should always look for the table – the spiritual nourishment that God will have provided for us in our need.

Denise Curtis shows that suffering doesn’t have to destroy us if we have the right attitude. In “My Son, My Teacher”, she rejects movingly on how the handicap of two of her children, brought her to God and an enriched faith.

Continuing our focus on sexuality and the Christian life, Fr Anthony Doe, a psycho-therapist looks at the teenage years. He explores the growing sexual desire at this age, which is part of the normal maturing process. He warns however that premature sexual relationships can stunt human development and the capacity to love and be intimate with others. Geoff and Gina Poulter, meanwhile in part two of their marriage series, look illuminatingly at the different needs of men and women from a relationship, and why this causes problems.

As well as relationship problems between individuals there can also be relationship problems between countries, caused by past hurts. These might even need the healing of memories for unity to come about. This was the message at the ICCRS European meeting that took place in Prague in September. A full report is on the news pages. Here in the Northern Isles we are doing something about this.

As Charles Whitehead explained in his article last month (wrongly entitled the Newman “Collection” when it should have been the Newman “Consultation”) the NSCs of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are convening a special consultation of leaders at Newman College in Birmingham in June 2005. This gathering will give thanks for all the blessings of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal over the past 35 years. It will also seek to discern what the Lord is saying to the CCR and give us all vision for the future. Each NSC has chosen about 50 leaders whom they feel should be present. Invitations for these have recently been sent out. These will include young leaders and two ecumenical guests. Please pray for the consultation, that the gathering will hear God’s voice. If people have any comments they would like to make regarding what they feel the Lord is saying – either through personal observation or prophetic words, please contact the NSC of your country.

Kristina Cooper