As we go into New Year, with Lent not too far away, this time of the year is traditionally one when we look at our lives and our priorities. Rather than simply trying harder to be better, Fr Pat Collins CM, suggests instead that we simply get back in touch with our true desires, and longing for God. When this happens, spiritual fruit follows.

In this year of the Eucharist, John Edward encourages us to read and refiect on "Stay with Us Lord" (Mane Nobiscum Domine) the recent papal encyclical and Marcellino D'Ambrosio, who runs the Crossroads Initiative in the United States, gives some useful tips on how to get more out of the Mass.

The Charismatic Renewal is perhaps best known for the charism of healing and in this issue, we concentrate on this charism in a particular way. Charles Whitehead, reflects in his article on the role of the Charismatic Renewal in bringing this gift back into the life of the Church. He highlights the healing guidelines provided by the Vatican and recent symposium on the Healing ministry they organised a couple years ago. He also refiects on the importance of the healing miracles in Jesus' ministry as a sign of the Kingdom and underlines our call to carry on his work today.

Gabriele Sedda, tells how he became aware that God had given him the gift of healing and what he does to nurture this. Not everyone has a formal healing gift, but we are called to pray for our families and friends when the need arises and Dr Jan Knight gives some useful guidelines in praying for healing in the local church situation. Heather Snowdon, also tells of her experiences in praying for the sick babies she fosters and the wonderful things she has seen through this. Fr Chris Thomas, meanwhile on the Agape page, refiects that spiritual and emotional healing are often more important than physical healing, and shares some of his experiences of both.

We also have the very encouraging story of the Cenacolo community, an international community with a base in Knock, Ireland, which helps drug addicts to be liberated from their addiction through a combination of prayer and community support.

Geoff and Gina Poulter, finish their series of three articles on Marriage. In this one they look at how competitiveness can be a temptation even in the best of relationships and this can cause rifts. They remind us, however, that marriage is basically a school in holiness and joy is possible for those who persevere in their commitment and this is underlined by Fr Anthony Doe, in his article Love and Sacrifice, on sexuality and human development. He reflects on how contemporary marriage has been very affected by secular pressures for self fulfilment, rather than the call to Agape love, which is at the heart of Christian marriage. One of the symptoms of this, he believes, is the widespread use of artificial contraception. He refiects on some of the unforeseen consequences of this, and what we might do about this. Young Joanna Gilbert, from the lay community at Worth in Sussex, England, shares the story of her own faith journey and how she received a revelation about the beauty of the Church's teaching on marriage. This led her to give up living with her boyfriend and to a more active and dedicated Christian life serving young people.

Anne-Marie and Adam Sowerbutts of the Network, a group of committed Catholic adults, refiect on the importance of building bridges between the generations, so we can all learn from each other. There is also a lot to learn from relationships between different countries and I report back on the Mission to Paris that took place in November last year that was part of the recent initiative of 5 European cardinals to have evangelistic missions in the capitals of Europe. Let's pray that we may have something similar in our own countries. Bad relationships that come down through the centuries can be an obstacle to evangelisation, however, and we are offering a special booklet by Fr Peter Hocken on this important area of repentance for past sins and healing between nations.

As we gear up this year for the Newman Consultation in June, we are particularly anxious to hear from as many people as possible about their experience of the Charismatic Renewal, and we would be most grateful if you could fill in the enclosed questionnaire so we get as much information back as possible.

 

Kristina Cooper