Emmaus Retreats 2005

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Our Year 10s have now completed their EMMAUS Retreat. It was a really worthwhile opportunity for everyone to spend some time looking at the journey of our lives and deciding what is important, and what is not.

“Sound the Retreat!”
For those of us who grew up on a diet of movies with cowboys, Indians and the U.S. Cavalry, we all know that the call to “Sound the Retreat” meant that the army needed to come away from the action in order to re-group; to prepare themselves so that they could better face the action the next time round.

This is how we explain the purpose and nature of the “EMMAUS” Retreat to our Year 10 students. It’s an opportunity for these boys to come away from the hectic routine of daily life, and to spend some quiet time looking at their lives. It’s a time to re-evaluate what is really important in our lives. We look at our personal journeys so far: - all the bumps as well as the bouquets.

And just like those disciples who walked along the road to Emmaus from Jerusalem after the shocking death of their friend, Jesus, we are surprised to discover that the risen Jesus is very much a part of our lives, if only we were prepared to spend a little bit of time reflecting and praying. It’s only then that we can recognise his presence in our lives.

“When we meet God,
it is not by way of meeting a stranger
whom we have not known before;
it is by way of overcoming estrangement
from someone with whom we have been traveling.”

The EMMAUS Retreats this year were again very successful. We are very grateful to all those teachers who acted as Retreat Directors as well as the Redemptorist Fathers and Mrs Jan Barnard who made our stay at the monastery so worthwhile. Gallery