The importance of listening and dialogue shines through a number of the articles in the October Messenger, particularly as it relates to reaching out to those on the peripheries of our consciousness. Gerry O’Hanlon writes about the upcoming synod in the Vatican on Synodality and the method of ‘conversation in the Spirit’ employed in the process to date; Kevin Hargaden, on the challenges of the drugs problem in society, suggests that we listen to people close to those affected for insights into how best to support the addicted; Victoria Byrne, recently returned from World Youth Day in Lisbon, talks about the powerful and energising experience of connecting with others during her visit.

Elsewhere Mary McAleece recounts the life of Bl Dominic Collins SJ, whose feast day falls in October. We read about Drumalis Retreat and Conference Centre as it celebrates one hundred years of ministry, prayer and hospitality and we welcome the return of RE:LINK, our pull-out supplement for teenagers and younger readers, with a summary of the principal value systems of the major five global religions.

Of course we have our popular regulars – prayer, reflections, scripture, along with crosswords, young people’s pages and cookery – as we settle into a new school and liturgical year.