Holy Trinity Church, Ratoath

24 June 2007

     Opening hours for the Parish Office: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9.30am– 4.00pm

Congratulations to Ryan Brunton (Milltree Park),

Molly Moran (Steeplechase Green), Connor Keating (Steeplechase Green),

Jake Mellor (Steeplechase Green), Evan Sload (Foxlodge Manor),

Max Hooper (Seagrave Hall), Sinead Alinsod ( Somerville ),

Abbie Vallence (Streamstown) and  Fionn O’Longaigh ( Woodlands)

who were baptised recently.

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Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have launched a website at www.mscireland.com  Apart from information about MSC missionary work, the site contains daily Catholic news updates, the Sunday Mass readings, and links to other Catholic sites. It is a good source of information.

Envelope Collection for week ending 10^th June & 17^th June €2,650.43.

Many thanks for your support and generosity.

Baby Massage classes will take place in the Community centre on Wednesday mornings. Ring Gillian 087 969 4473

Ratoath GAA, Monster Draw and music in the clubhouse on Saturday 23^rd at 9.00pm no charge.  Bar Food  available

Friends of the Mentally Handicapped Castlepollard would like to thank the parishioners of Ratoath for their generosity at the church gate collection last week-end which raised €1,255.81.

Knock Summer Youth Festival, Thursday 26^th – Sunday 29^th July, at Knock Shrine in Co Mayo Free buses will also be provided from certain locations. For more information contact Ann on 094 9388100 or  Sheena at 01 6753690 / 086 367 2131

Monday                       Joe Fox

Tuesday                       Mattie Reilly & Josephine Ryan

                        Wednesday                   Sean & Frank Hickey and Monica Maher

                                Thursday                     Deceased members of the Salmon Family

                        Friday                         Ann Ryden

The birth of St John the Baptist

God our Father,

you raised up John the Baptist to prepare a perfect people for Christ the Lord.

Give your Church joy in spirit

and guide those who believe in you into the way of salvation and peace.

Ordinarily the Church observes the day of a saint's death as their feast, because that day marks their entrance into heaven. To this rule there are two notable exceptions, the birthdays of Our Lady and of St. John the Baptist. All other persons were stained with original sin at birth. But Mary, already in the first moment of her existence, was free from original sin (for which reason even her very conception is commemorated by a special feast), and John was cleansed of original sin in the womb of his mother. For John the day of his birth is sacred. The reason for this is that the Lord willed to announce to all people His own coming through the Baptist, lest if He appeared suddenly, they would fail to recognize Him.

The Rosary

A number of parishioners have expressed a desire to recite the rosary after the weekday morning masses. The parish liturgy committee have considered the matter and are most supportive of this initiative. The committee have decided that from next Monday the rosary will be recited every week morning (except Wednesday) beginning 5 minutes after the morning Mass. The committee will review this decision at their September meeting.

“By its nature the recitation of the Rosary calls for a quiet rhythm and a lingering pace, helping the individual to meditate on the mysteries of the Lords life as seen through the eyes of her who was closest to the Lord.” Pope Paul VI ‘Marialis Cultus’