Ben+Absolon+-+Ryan+Catholic+College

Ryan Catholic College was established as Ryan Community School in 1979. The school was named after Bishop Hugh Ryan who was the bishop of the Townsville dioceses from 1938-1967. Ryan is one of the few schools in the dioceses that was not established by a religious order. In the true sense of a religious charism, Ryan Catholic College does not identify with having a particular charism but resides in what Green (2009) identifies as a ‘lay’ spirituality / charism. While not having a religious charism could be argued as a disadvantage for the school, an opportunity is presented from the Light of the Journey Conference to analyse what is Ryan Catholic College’s charism. Does the College adopt a particular religious charism or does the school invigorate its already lay charism? RELIGIOUS CHARISM Through the house colours of the College, Ryan acknowledges the works of the Mercy Sisters through Mother Mary Columba Griffin (Griffin House), who was one of the first Sisters of Mercy to come to Townsville and the Sisters of St Joseph with the Mackillop House. Our performance centre is also named the Mary Mackillop Block. In the college’s past, we have been blessed with Sr Anne-Maree, a staff member who brought the Good Samaritan charism into the College during her time. While this is not seen as a 'charism', there is a foundation in which a religious charism could be based upon.  LAY CHARISM ‘Stay with us Lord’ taken from Luke ( 24:13-35), the Road to Emmaus, is the motto of the College. It is through this passage that Ryan Catholic College has defined itself as a Catholic school. This motto has also been transformed into Ryan’s school song. I believe it is through exploring this motto that the college can identify and capture the unconscious charism, spirit and passion of Ryan. Ryan Catholic College has a strong commitment to social justice within our local community and the larger community. By working with the St Vincent Paul Society we provide charity through the Min-Vinnies program and the end of year Christmas hampers. Some year levels have adopted various fund raising programs to aid the St Vincent Paul Society. Over the past few years the College has helped support schools in Papua New Guinea with sending containers of books and supplies to struggling schools. This project has become a passion of certain members of staff who have visited these schools that their passion has transferred onto our students. By not having a foundational religious charism, Ryan Catholic College is not bound by the ties of the past. Through discussion and query a charism whether lay or religious can be identified that can suit the college’s needs into the future.
 * //__ Light of the Journey __//**
 * __ Situation Analysis of Ryan Catholic College __**