COMMUNITY NEWS & SUPPORT

Marriage – Are you planning to get married?  The Church requires a minimum of six months notice before your wedding.  Please contact Father Vincent.

BAPTISM of Babies should take place “within a few weeks after they are born” (Canon Law): the Catholic parent or parents must be practising and should contact Fr. Vincent.

New Parishioners are warmly welcome to St. Luke’s. Do make yourselves known to Fr. Vincent and also collect and fill in a ‘New Parishioners Form’ to be found below the statue of St. Thomas More at the back of the church.


CAFOD’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

Click here for An update on CAFOD’s response and how you can help

The UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine programme

For information on helping a Ukrainian refugee or refugee family already in the UK, see:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hosting-someone-already-in-the-uk-rematching-homes-for-ukraine

Young Adults Safeguarding/Welfare

As many of our young people are facing formal exams for the first time ever it will be an anxious time for them and their families. Below are just some of the useful on-line support networks for students, teenagers and parents, currently offering exam time support.

  • Young Minds – online support for students and parents
  • KOOTH – on line confidential mental health support for young people
  • Childline – has tailored exam stress support
  • Family Lives – advice on how to support your teen through exam stress
  • NHS – Help your child beat exam stress

Schools and colleges may be able to offer advice too especially where illness or an unexpected change of circumstance might impact exam performance/attendance.

Please also contact your GP or healthcare specialist if, as a parent/carer, you have increasing concerns about your child. In an emergency always call 999.

Please feel free to contact me if I can help in any way: Peter Rodger – PSR pinnersg1@safeguardrcdow.org.uk


Caring for God’s Beautiful Creation
by saving energy at home

Click here for more information: Saving energy at home (1)


Knitting/Crochet Group

If you free on Thursday afternoons, 2-4pm then please come and join our sociable and friendly group. Beginners welcome or even come for a chat and a cup of tea. Looking forward to meeting you in the Parish Centre, Thursday afternoons, 2-4pm. Donations of any unused/unwanted knitting wool greatly appreciated.  Please hand these into the Parish Office.

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SOURCES OF HELP FOR THIS DIFFICULT TIME

KOOTH.com: 0808 802 5544 –  supporting young people

Youngminds.org.uk  – support for young people: 0808 802 5544

Harrow Talking Therapies : 020 8515 5015 (self-referral email : www.cnwltalkingtherpies.org.uk)

NHS.uk / EveryMindMatters : MIND: 0300 123 3393  www.mind.org.uk

Anxiety UK: 03444 775 774 www.anxietyuk.org.uk

CALM : 0800 58 58 58 / www.thecalmzone.net

Domestic Violence helpline : 0808 2000 247

In an emergency call 999 – if you are unable to speak, wait to be prompted and dial 55. Please also contact your GP who will be able to help find the right service for you. Trusted family and friends may also be able to help and reassure, don’t be afraid to reach out for support.


SCAM ALERTS

Trading Standards Issue Warning Over Census Form Scam  (March 21)
Trading Standards have issued a warning, after receiving reports from victims who claim to have been contacted by someone purporting to be from the authority, and acting on behalf of the Office of National Statistics.

The caller suggested that the individual’s Census form was completed incorrectly, and they had to pay a fine. The caller asked for basic identification details, which they said was to confirm the Census record, and the individual’s bank details, so they could process the fine.

The Office of National Statistics are aware of similar scams in other parts of the country where money has been taken from an individual’s bank account. The Office of National Statistics have warned that they would never ask for this type of personal information.

You will only be contacted about the Census by letter – never by text or phone. When filling in the Census you will be asked for personal information such as your date of birth, your occupation and where you live. You will never be asked to provide your national insurance number or financial details.

If you wish to report attempted scams go to www.actionfraud.police.uk 

This year, the Census takes place on Sunday 21st March. To complete the survey, please visit www.census.gov.uk and enter the unique access code received by your household at the beginning of March. Paper questionnaires can be requested if preferred. For more information, visit www.census.gov.uk or call 0800 141 2021.

Royal Mail Scam (Feb 21)

Royal Mail are issuing a warning of a fake text message asking customers to settle a fee and provide their personal details.  Customers are receiving a phishing text stating “Your parcel is waiting for delivery, Please confirm the settlement of 2.99 (GBP) on the following link”.

The link leads to a web page which references a package number and asks for a full name and a date of birth.  Royal Mail is warning customers not to click on the link.

Covid-19 Vaccination Phishing Email (Jan 21)

Please be aware that there is a new kind of phishing attempt via emails. The scammers are taking advantage of Covid and mass vaccination and sending out emails like the one in the picture below.

  • Please be cautious before you take action – think twice before clicking links in the email.
  • Please pay extra attention on the sender’s email address.
  • A genuine email address will end with a genuine domain name.  For example, emails from NHS will end with “nhs.uk”; anything other than this alleging to be from the NHS is not genuine, it is suspicious.
  • If in doubt please ring up your GP and confirm.
  • Do not ring any telephone numbers taken from the suspicious email. Use telephone numbers taken from a trusted source. (for example, your GP has given you a number to ring for vaccination).
  • Do not reply to the suspicious email, use other forms of communication methods to get in touch with the NHS.


“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat”, the Lord will say.  

HARROW FOOD BANK is still operating and is busier than ever. Before Covid we would be having a food collection in Church each month, obviously not happening at present. But the Food Bank still needs our support. So please visit their website https://harrow.foodbank.org.uk/
and donate online. Whatever we do to one of the least of these, we do to the Lord.