The start of a new year is ahead of us. Traditionally January is the week for Christian Unity and Fr Pat Collins, reflects on the importance of personal friendships among Christians as a way of building unity and remembers a particular one that has had far reaching effects.

The main theme in the issue, however, is that of listening. Michele Harrison, in her encouraging article, tells the story of how the Lord led her and her husband to live in a particular parish in Guildford, and how He has guided them in setting up small groups to help renew their parish. Madeleine O'Connell, shares her own experience of how God can speak quite directly at times, telling us exactly what to do, and relates a particular incident in her life when He did this. Our greatest model, however, in listening to God and doing his will, is Our Lady. In his article, Fr Patrick Bearsley reflects on Mary, the woman who both listened and acted. Fr Chris Thomas in his article on the Agape pages reflects on the fact that it is often the people we find most difficult in life, who help us most to grow spiritually. In this 40th anniversary year of Dei Verbum, Charles Whitehead, reflects on the importance of the Scriptures if we want to be able to recognise God's voice speaking to us in our lives.

One of the challenges facing Christians today is how to relate to New Age Spirituality and those who practice it. How do we evangelise them? Clare Spiller shares her experiences when a team from the Sion Community for Evangelisation decided to set up a Christian stall at a New Age Festival. I also tell the story of my encounter with a Tarot card devotee in a London café. Mary Taylor continues her helpful series for those working with children, with a delightful candle hat to make for the feast of the Presentation in February.

Our society seems to dismiss people as soon as they start getting old. But old age is nothing to fear, and does not necessarily impede our life in giving witness to the Lord. We hear the story of Mary Worrell, who remained an intrepid evangelist to her death at 92. Dom Benedict Heron OSB, a well known figure in Charismatic Renewal in this country, who is 84, also shares his thoughts on preparing to go to heaven.

Finally we continue with our feedback from the Newman consultation with Fr Raniero Cantalamessa's inspiring talk on the importance of keeping Pentecost alive in our hearts and our lives. This he sees as the most important contribution that the Charismatic Renewal can give to the Church. Steve Lavery shares how the Scottish National Service Committee are reflecting on the outcome of the Newman Consultation and Spiro Sueref shares some good things happening in Wales.

Kristina Cooper