This is really an exciting time for us at Goodnews as we move towards Pentecost. We will have been in our new offices at CAFOD for a month by the time you read this, adjusting to the new routine no doubt. Although this is only a temporary stay, I’m sure God has a plan for us all and CAFOD’s generosity in helping us out when we were homeless is an example of the Church community in action. Please continue to pray for the way ahead and where God would have us eventually settle. Our move is a reminder that we are all pilgrims on a journey and a warning to us not to get too settled and comfortable in our old ways.

Interestingly, unplanned by us, “Pilgrimage” has emerged as one of the themes of this issue. World Youth Day in Madrid this summer is coming up, and Jesus Youth and Chemin Neuf are both organizing charismatic style pilgrimages, which young people from the UK and Ireland are invited to join in with. Older people might be attracted to go to Spain too albeit by a more ancient pilgrim route via “The Camino” to Santiago de Compostela. Actor Martin Sheen was so inspired by this that he and his son Emilio Estevez have produced a wonderful film called “The Way” which is out 13th May 2011. This tells the tale of a man who, devastated by his son’s tragic death, decides to walk the Camino in his place. Through walking the Way with others he comes to self acceptance and healing. Shaun Growney was so inspired by the film that it renewed in him a desire to do the Camino himself and he shares tips for others who might be equally fired up to the do the walk. For those wanting to walk with other pilgrims nearer to home, “Journeying”, a small Christian charity (formerly known as Pilgrim Adventure)has various options to places like Orkney and Pembrokeshire (see page 32) .

It is often when we are away from the busyness of everyday life, along with others on the road, that we are more open to the Holy Spirit. People who normally wouldn’t have the time or inclination to reflect on the meaning of their lives are happy to engage in spiritual conversations and evangelization becomes easier. There are many more spiritual seekers these days, says Damian Stayne. In his article “Signs of Revival?”. He draws attention to some recent events and statistics, which highlight that the spiritual atmosphere in our land is changing. One of these signs, he sees as the amazing reception that Pope Benedict received on his visit to England last autumn from the secular government and country at large. Lord Alton, a Catholic life peer, comments on the same thing. He sees the historic papal visit and its implications as a sign of the Second Spring, which Blessed John Henry Newman predicted back in the 19th century, but reminds us that the prophecy spoke of storms and showers ahead too. Prophetic words can be a long time coming to pass – even hundreds of years – and Geoff and Gina Poulter in their final article in their prophecy series remind us that even if a prophetic word doesn’t make sense when it is first received, it is worth keeping because it might be for a later time, when the words will be fulfilled. If renewal and transformation is going to come to our land, then intercession is the key. Cyril John from India, who is the vice president of ICCRS, has a huge heart for intercession and its power to change things. He shares the experiences of the charismatic renewal in India over the last couple of decades since they have started to take intercession really seriously. Here in England, 80 year old mother and grandmother, Frances Weaver, shares how despite having seven children, God has called her in a special way to be an intercessor and the fruit she has seen from the power of prayer. Charles Whitehead underlines the necessity of intercession, even for those who don’t have this as a special vocation. He reminds us to pray for all intercessors because of the important work that they do. Key to intercession and hearing God is silence. Fr Chris Thomas talks about the importance of silence if we are to grow in intimacy with God. Frances Hogan, the popular bible teacher from Ireland, encourages us to develop our own prayer corner where we can be alone with God and shares the fruits of this in the life of a family she knows.

This Pentecost (11th-12th June) there seem to be a lot of weekend retreats taking place. Pantasaph Priory in Wales, has Joe Dalton leading a weekend, Fr Pat Collins is at Craig Lodge in Scotland and the Northern Catholic Conference, which this year falls on Pentecost, is making the Life in the Spirit seminars the theme of the whole conference. All these are ideal events to go to, either for our own renewal or to help others into the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. As well as these weekends away there are other Pentecost vigils and events. (see page 19 or www.pentecostnovena.org or www.ccr.org.uk/pentecost). If there isn’t one near you, why don’t you organise your own with a few friends following Kim Kollins Burning Bush model. (see page 27).

The importance of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit for the future empowering of the Church is shown in the testimony of Bishop Julian Porteous from Syndey, Australia. Like Bishop Joe Grech, who died recently and who we mentioned in the last issue, Bishop Julian is full of Pentecostal fire for evangelization and sees the lay movements as key to this. David Payne from CaFE tells us about the various new initiatives that the CaFE team is involved with in preaching and evangelizing in parishes as well as the new DVD they are producing on the saints. Charles Whitehead also shares about the success of a recent Life in the Spirit Seminars he and his wife Sue, our Other Half columnist, and a team ran in their parish. Once again many more people seem to be doing the Life in the Spirit seminars. For a list of those coming up see our coming events pages or the Goodnews website www.ccr.org.uk or www.pentecostnovena.org and let us know of any seminars that you are organizing yourselves. There seems to be a new anointing of them and great excitement wherever they are being put on.