How two priests in the Diocese of Sioux Falls bring life experience into joyful service of the Church.

Our lives are shaped by what we have lived—and by how we allow God to use it. That truth is especially evident in men who discern a later vocation to the priesthood. Rather than leaving their past at the door, they bring it to Christ, and their experiences become instruments of mercy, wisdom, and steady pastoral care.

Fr. Tom Hartman (BA ’14, MDiv ’17)

Fr. Tom Hartman, a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, knows what it means to rebuild a life on faith. In his youth, his relationship with God was fractured. After high school, he married and became the father of two children. Years later, he endured a divorce and subsequently received an annulment.

In the midst of that painful time, Tom recalls hearing the Lord ask him, “Are you doing that well without me?” When he recognized the honest answer—no—he returned to the Church. With the guidance of his parish priest, he came to understand a hard but lasting lesson: suffering with God is difficult, but suffering without Him is misery.

After the divorce and annulment, Tom immersed himself in the life of faith. He dated off and on for ten years, but over time he began to see that dating was pulling him away from wholehearted service. As Fr. Tom explains, “This was my discovery of a priestly heart—that it wasn’t meant exclusively for one, but to give it over to Christ and His Church.” At 41, he entered Holy Apostles.

Looking back, Fr. Tom describes his time there as a gift of peace and clarity. He says, “I am Franciscan in spirit, and I loved the holy simplicity that came from Holy Apostles. It was my initial impression and my last description upon being ordained: Holy Apostles has a simple holiness to it.”

He believes he gained practical tools to answer many questions, while also learning something every priest eventually discovers: no seminary can fully prepare a man for everything a diocesan priest and pastor will face. Still, the formation helped him develop the habit of self-formation—a steady discipline of prayer, study, and growth that continues long after ordination.

Today, Fr. Tom serves as pastor of the Holy Family Pastorate in South Dakota, which includes St. Lawrence, Milbank; St. Mary, Clear Lake; St. Charles Borromeo, Big Stone City; St. Mary, Wilmot; and Annunciation, Revillo. Reflecting on his vocation, he says, “The vocation of priesthood is hard but beautiful. I think this is true when lived well in marriage as well. So, despite all the demands that go into running a parish/pastorate, this is where God wants me, and it brings me peace.”

Fr. Tom Hartman with his family

Fr. Dan Smith (MDiv ’10)

Fr. Dan Smith’s call to the priesthood began early. When he was eight years old, he told his mother that he thought he would someday be a priest. He was right—just not right away.
After college, Dan ran his own ranch and later worked as a banker. In 2005, at 35 years old, he entered the seminary. He is grateful for a place like Holy Apostles, and he credits its formation with shaping students in the full breadth of Catholic life. He points to the community itself: laity, ordained, and consecrated religious—both professors and students—people from every background who share one common desire: to grow closer to Jesus Christ.

He also highlights the distinctly Eucharistic rhythm of seminary life. Holy Apostles, he says, is Eucharistic-centered in teaching and practice, forming men through Holy Hours and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. As Fr. Dan puts it, “This formation, as well as the sound philosophical foundation, prepares a person to handle what they encounter outside the seminary—in parishes, chapels, and on street corners. It prepares you for life, for the world… all for the salvation of souls.”

Fr. Dan now serves as chaplain at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, providing emotional and spiritual support to patients, families, and staff. Over the years, he has kept Holy Apostles close to his heart—and he has acted on that gratitude in a very practical way. He regularly sends gifts to seminarians, including coats, shoes, books, and other useful items.

He remembers receiving similar kindness as a student. While he was at Holy Apostles, the Director of Library Services, Professor Claire Adamo, ran a book fair where seminarians could purchase books at affordable prices. There were also donations of clothing, liturgical items, and suit coats—one of which Fr. Dan received and still owns.

That spirit of generosity left a lasting impression. Now, when he comes across items he believes will help others, he continues the same practice of giving he experienced as a seminarian. As he explains, “Holy Apostles Seminary has this charism of gift that began with Fr. Eusebe Menard, who gave the gift of Holy Apostles as a seminary for later vocations. So, when I come across things… I will place them in a box and mail them to Holy Apostles, further continuing this gift charism.”

Winter in South Dakota
Life and ministry in South Dakota come with a challenge familiar to anyone who has lived through a New England winter—and then some. Winters at our campus in Cromwell can be snowy, but on the plains they can be severe, isolating, and even dangerous. Fr. Dan, Fr. Tom, and their brother priests are to be commended for the perseverance it takes to serve faithfully through months of harsh weather.

As Fr. Dan notes with a smile, “The Laura Ingalls Wilder books do not lie. It can be dangerous in the rural areas where priests sometimes have to drive 40 miles to the next parish.” In bad weather, they often stay close and serve the immediate area rather than take unnecessary risks. But rural ministry still demands travel—sometimes long miles on winter nights, scanning the roadside for deer, navigating blizzard snowdrifts, and driving roads lit only by starlight.

In those conditions, preparation is part of pastoral care. A supply bag becomes essential: candles, candy bars, layered clothing, snow boots, and the liturgical supplies needed for the sacraments. And, of course, a well-maintained, dependable vehicle matters—Fr. Dan’s has just hit 500,000 miles—along with the prayers of parishioners for safe travel.

God Shapes His Shepherds

The paths to the priesthood are not all the same. Yet in each vocation—early or late—the Lord forms a shepherd for His people. In Fr. Tom and Fr. Dan, we see how God can take real-life experience—joys, losses, work, family life, endurance, and generosity—and shape it into steady, compassionate priestly ministry.

Please keep these priests, and all our priests, in your prayers—especially those who serve in rural communities and difficult conditions—so that, in every season, they may continue to bring Christ to His people.

Holy Apostles College & Seminary has a long-standing relationship with the Cardinal Newman Society. Our undergraduate programs have been featured in the Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College since its very first edition in 2007, and they have been reaffirmed annually for their excellence, orthodoxy, and commitment to the formation of students in mind and soul.

Now, that tradition of excellence extends fully to our Graduate Programs in philosophy, theology, pastoral studies, and more, marking a major moment in the life of our institution.

What the Newman Guide Recognition Means

The Cardinal Newman Society’s Newman Guide serves as a trusted resource for students and families seeking faithful Catholic higher education. Institutions and programs listed in the Guide are held to high standards, modeled on the Church’s vision in Ex corde Ecclesiae, Saint John Paul II’s apostolic constitution on Catholic universities.

To be listed means a program:

• Upholds Catholic moral and doctrinal teaching
• Promotes a faithful Catholic intellectual life
• Encourages virtue, prayer, and service
• Ensures faculty and curriculum remain loyal to the Magisterium

Recognition by the Cardinal Newman Society affirms that Holy Apostles continues to deliver rigorous, affordable, and authentically Catholic graduate education, fully online and accessible to students around the world.

Forming Missionary Disciples for the Church and the World

At Holy Apostles, our mission is simple and profound: to provide faithful, affordable, and flexible Catholic formation and education in the development of leaders for evangelization. Our graduate programs are designed not just to inform minds, but to transform hearts and equip missionary disciples for the work of the New Evangelization.

We are deeply grateful to our faculty, students, staff, and donors, whose faithful witness and academic excellence made this recognition possible. And above all, we give thanks to God, trusting that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Apostles, our mission will continue to flourish.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you’re discerning a vocation, deepening your understanding of the faith, or preparing to serve the Church in a new capacity, now is the perfect time to explore Holy Apostles’ graduate programs.

Learn more about our graduate programs here
Apply now
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Holy Apostles College & Seminary is pleased to share that Adjunct Professor Patrick Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society, represented our community in Rome during Pope Leo XIV’s historic proclamation of St. John Henry Newman as a Doctor of the Universal Church on November 1.

Professor Reilly and his wife, Rosario, joined thousands of Catholics in St. Peter’s Square for the All Saints Mass, a liturgy marked by deep beauty and reverence. During the celebration, the schola sang Lead, Kindly Light, the hymn written by Newman during a pivotal moment in his life. For Professor Reilly and The Cardinal Newman Society, the hymn remains a powerful reminder of the mission of faithful Catholic education.

Pope Leo XIV formally declared: “We… by the fullness of the apostolic power, declare Saint John Henry Newman Doctor of the Universal Church.”

This recognition affirms Newman’s lasting impact on Catholic education, especially his vision for forming students in faith, intellect, and moral witness. The declaration came just days before the Holy Father released a document naming Newman co-patron of Catholic education alongside St. Thomas Aquinas.
Professor Reilly attended Vatican events as both president of The Cardinal Newman Society and an adjunct professor at Holy Apostles College & Seminary.

Holy Apostles is grateful for Professor Reilly’s commitment to promoting faithful Catholic education and for representing our College during this important moment in the life of the Church.

Earning a college degree is a special moment in a person’s life: the culmination of years of hard work. It’s especially exciting to have two members of your family graduating with you. This was the case this past April 26, when sisters Mary, Sara, and Elizabeth Shopa traveled from Georgia to Connecticut to attend Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s 67th Commencement and Baccalaureate Mass and, together, received their diplomas after earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in English in the Humanities. In attendance to see his sisters graduate was their older brother, Steven, himself a 2020 graduate of Holy Apostles with a Bachelor of Arts degree with double majors in History in the Social Sciences and Philosophy.

Visiting the campus had additional significance for Steven since his commencement exercises were cancelled because of the pandemic. Not about to miss the event, he and the remaining members of the family of twelve traveled up from Georgia with the graduates to make it a very celebratory occasion.

The Shopa family initially discovered Holy Apostles thanks to their mother, Melinda, who served as their instructor in homeschooling. While visiting friends, she noticed a Holy Apostles advertisement in a publication at their house. The fact that Holy Apostles, through a partnership developed with their homeschool provider, offered the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school caught her attention and she showed her son, Steven.

Steven jumped at the opportunity to complete enough courses in high school to earn a bachelor’s degree one year after graduating. With a goal of attending law school, he wanted an education that could prepare him for the critical thinking necessary to succeed. The courses at Holy Apostles challenged his mind and readied him for the task.

After his positive experience, Steven recommended Holy Apostles to his sisters. Sara, Elizabeth, and Mary chose Holy Apostles for several reasons. First, as with Steven, the opportunity to work toward a bachelor’s degree while in high school was incredibly appealing. Like their brother, they appreciated the opportunity to work on coursework early and graduate after one year in college. They also witnessed how the education helped their brother achieve his goal of becoming a lawyer.

Another reason for the decision was, in Mary’s words, “The fact that we could do the coursework online made everything easier, and the low-cost tuition compared to other colleges was also a plus. Holy Apostles allowed my sisters and me to graduate debt-free, unlike what would be the experience in most other institutions. Being free of debt after college removed a lot of stress from our shoulders.”

Since earning his degree, Steven achieved his goal of becoming an attorney – he attended and graduated from law school and now practices law. Now that Sara, Mary, and Elizabeth have graduated, they are looking toward the future. Mary and Elizabeth are studying for their LSAT test and are also considering a few other careers that combine their interests and abilities. As Mary explained, “The only problem I find with having a bachelor’s degree is deciding from all the opportunities it opens up.” Sara is working on a master’s degree in creative writing with the intent of becoming a bestselling author and movie screenwriter.

Reflecting on her time at Holy Apostles, Mary shared how it impacted her: “It challenged me intellectually and forced me to really think about what I was reading and writing. It is a special college with God at its center, and this has helped deepen my relationship with Him.”

We commemorate our deceased members of the Holy Apostles family and request that you keep them in your prayers. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Rev. David F. Zercie, M.S.A.
Reverend David Zercie, M.S.A., 87, died peacefully on October 10, 2025, after a period of declining health. He was born in Norwich, Connecticut, on April 23, 1938, to Adrian and Alice Zercie. Fr. Dave, as he was known to many, attended Providence College and in 1961 entered Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell. He was ordained at St. Patrick Cathedral in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1969, and soon after travelled to southern Brazil where he remained for several years. From Brazil, he was sent to the Order’s Mission in Peru, serving the people in the very remote high Andean villages.

After returning to the U.S., Fr. David served at St. Dominic Church in Southington, Connecticut, and later began a Spanish-speaking mission at St. John’s Church in Middletown. For many years he also helped his friend Fr. Thomas Gaffney at St. Joseph’s Church in New Britain. At Holy Apostles, Fr. Dave took on the role of Spiritual Director for seminarians for the priesthood.

In recent years, Fr. Zercie’s faithful, friendly, and uplifting manner, even as he dealt with health issues, was an example for those who encountered him. He will be missed at the Holy Apostles campus.

He is survived by his sister, Duane (Zercie) Hallgren; his four nephews, Tim Hallgren, Tom Hallgren, Dave Hallgren, Anders Hallgren, and their families.

Click to watch a Memorial Tribute.

Reverend Monsignor John J. Bevins
Reverend Monsignor John J. Bevins, 93, a lifelong resident of Waterbury, Connecticut, and longtime friend of Holy Apostles and the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles, died peacefully on October 13, 2025. Monsignor Bevins was ordained in 1958, and his first assignments were in Litchfield and Hartford. He then served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy until 1990. Following his service, upon his return to Connecticut, he was assigned as temporary Administrator at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1991. Later that year, he was named pastor of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, where he served for 24 years, retiring in 2015. In 2015, Pope Francis bestowed on him the title of Monsignor.

Monsignor Bevins worked tirelessly in his efforts to have the title of Saint bestowed on Waterbury’s own, Blessed Michael McGivney, and now leaves that effort to his brother priests. He is survived by his nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and great-grandnephew and great-grandniece.