2023 College Theme

Copyright: 'Road to Emmaus' Licensed Image: Michael Torevell / Pixels.com. The Licensed Image: Michael Torevell / Pixels.com. is prohibited from downloading, republication, retransmission, reproduction, and all other uses of the Licensed Image as a standalone file.

Mission Statement

Ryan Catholic College lives the Emmaus Story, inspiring students in their journey to a life of faith, service, compassion and learning. Our inclusive community challenges and prepares our young people to embrace their future with confidence and success.

Artist Michael Torevell states that his desire in Road to Emmaus was to paint a setting that leaves the viewer with a sense of surprise and wonder — a setting where the viewer can enter the story and catch a glimpse of the divine nature of God. His use of a stylized landscape that incorporates many details but little specificity invites us into the narrative. Buildings that resemble modern-day structures also recall ancient villages. Three crosses on a hill capture our attention and anchor us to the Crucifixion story.

Luke 24:15-27 tells us that Cleopas and another traveller were discussing the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion when another person joined them. The unknown traveller reminded them of Jesus’ teachings. They were unaware that it was Jesus who appeared to them as an ordinary traveller along the road. As Torevell depicts it, the road could be anywhere, and the blurred faces of the travellers could be anyone.

An Emmaus experience can occur along any “road” that we travel in life — during times of grief, the Lenten journey, or even in ordinary times. Like Cleopas, we might encounter the risen Christ where and when we least expect it. Will we recognize Jesus? Perhaps others travelling the road will see Christ within us as we share the joyful news of our risen Saviour.

> Kathryn Kimball 1 March 2022

2023 theme

Pope Francis has explained the Emmaus Story using 3 words that are commonly used within teaching for empowering students to respond to environmental and social justice issues, within Catholic Social Teachings. These 3 words are See - Judge - Act. The 2 disciples do not 'see' Jesus walking with them to Emmaus. Jesus teaches them to remember their experiences of what they saw and learnt from him the past few years of his teaching ministry. The 2 disciples, in the moments of discussion, were invited to judge or discern these experiences and how these matter in the context of Scripture. Jesus is emphasising the important place of Scripture and prayer for a disciple. At the breaking of the bread, the 2 disciples recognised the presence and action of God - in the journey to Emmaus, in dialogue with God and in the remembrance of the shared meal. This action of God in their lives, enabled them to then act in being witnesses. See: What are the events and experiences of my life? Judge: How do I discern God’s presence in these experiences? Act: What must I do now?