In Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti (All brothers and sisters), he places great emphasis on human beings being given dignity, saying: “God has created all human being with equal rights, duties, and dignity, and has called them to live together as brothers and sisters.” (FT 5)
The Middlesbrough Catholic Fellowship perfectly embodies these teachings. This year I worked as a brancardier in Lourdes and spent time thinking how much I loved the service, joy and fellowship that was shared between the pilgrims – it is a place where you see the face of Jesus in others, with the love of our Blessed Mother. 
When the pilgrimage was ending, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness that I wouldn’t be able to have that same feeling for another year. So sitting with Tony Kirk in the Brancs bar was perfect timing and we got into a conversation about the Catholic Fellowship and how I could help the group. 
After sleeping in for the Fellowship’s Saturday morning playgroup the first week after Lourdes, I was filled with joy when I walked into the room the following Saturday. Faces I knew from Lourdes greeted me, but then other new faces, members I hadn’t met, also said, “Hello Chris!”, a simple greeting and fellowship immediately formed, regardless of faith, background.
Each week I attend the group I am filled with the same joy and warmth of the heart. I’ve even learnt to win a game of dominoes too! 
To then go on a summer holiday with the group was an amazing experience. It’s not easy – you work hard – but that joy, the warmth of the Spirit and the is constant.
Pope Francis, in his call to the Jubilee Year, urged us to not be held back, but to change and carry hope with us. Joining the Fellowship holiday has certainly fulfilled this for me; I would usually spend the summer holidays snoozing, but by changing and following the call to serve, I’ve very much been filled with hope – a hope in the mercy and service of humankind, in acts of kindness and compassion and a hope in prayer and reflection (Wydale Hall certainly offers tranquillity and spaces for prayer). But most of all, I am filled with the hope in God’s promise of his love and providence. 
If you’re looking for an opportunity to see Elvis, The Beatles or The Love Affair singing karaoke, Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy taking a five put, a cheeky monkey chasing a sly fox or being part of Ladies who Lunch, you certainly want to spend time on the Fellowship holiday or at one of the Wednesday or Saturday clubs. It is a time when the feeling I was dreading missing from Lourdes has been fulfilled. It’s a place to see the Spirit at work; a place where you will have your heart filled with joy, but you will also bring joy to the hearts of others.
If this is something you are looking for yourself, you would be more than welcome at the youth club (Wednesdays, 7pm-9pm) or playgroup (Saturdays (10am-noon) at St Thomas More Church Hall in Easterside, Middlesbrough. If you’d like to get involved, email Tony Kirk at anthony.kirk@ntlworld.com.

Christopher Lovell