Please join us during the Jubilee Year of Hope for an unforgettable evening to support Holy Apostles College & Seminary and celebrate our community. On Friday, April 25, 2025, the eve of our Sixty-Seventh Commencement Exercises, we invite you to gather at the stunning St. Clements Castle & Marina in Portland, CT, for a night of elegance, connection, and inspiration.
Catholic educator, writer, and evangelist Dr. Derya Rix—a faculty member at Holy Apostles College & Seminary—has been named the new principal of Bishop Flaget School in Ohio, bringing her passion for faith-formed leadership into a new Catholic community.
With a rich background in teaching, writing, and public speaking, Dr. Rix holds a PhD in Politics from Durham University in England and an MA in History from Bilkent University in Turkey. Her work explores political philosophy, evangelization, women in the Church, and the role of religion in public life. In addition to her academic work, she has written for well-known Catholic publications such as Ignatius Press, OSV, Angelico Press, Catholic World Report, and other Catholic publications.
At Holy Apostles, Dr. Rix encourages the Master of Philosophy students to engage the world with clarity, courage, and a foundation in the Church’s tradition. Her courses, such as Political Philosophy and Plato’s Republic, challenge students to think critically through the lens of faith.
Dr. Rix, a lifelong advocate for Catholic formation, brings both intellectual depth and family-rooted witness to her work.
Please keep Dr. Rix and the Bishop Flaget School community in your prayers as they begin this new chapter!
Cromwell, CT – Holy Apostles College & Seminary will undergo a comprehensive evaluation in Fall 2025 to renew its institutional accreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), one of the oldest regional accrediting commissions in the United States.
As part of this process, an onsite peer review visit is scheduled for November 2-5, 2025, at the Holy Apostles College & Seminary campus in Cromwell, Connecticut. The institution has been accredited by NECHE since 1974, with the reaccreditation process occurring every ten years, along with a mid-term report submission. The college was last reaffirmed for accreditation in 2015.
A team of reviewers, experts in various higher education disciplines and representing institutions across New England and New York, will conduct an assessment based on the NECHE Standards for Accreditation. Members of the public are invited to submit comments or feedback regarding Holy Apostles College & Seminary’s compliance with these standards. For more information on how to submit feedback, please visit NECHE Accreditation Feedback Form.
The NECHE accreditation process allows Holy Apostles College & Seminary to demonstrate its commitment to continuous improvement and academic excellence, ensuring the institution meets the highest standards of educational effectiveness.
NECHE is a non-profit, non-governmental membership organization that fosters institutional self-regulation, voluntary adherence to accreditation standards, and a system of peer review. The Commission accredits a broad range of institutions with distinct missions, evaluating each according to its unique goals while maintaining a focus on institutional quality and effectiveness.
For additional details about the accreditation process or Holy Apostles College & Seminary’s upcoming evaluation, please contact:
Dr. Kristina Olsen
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Holy Apostles College & Seminary
[email protected]
Bishop Betancourt speaks to Holy Apostles seminarians, priests, and religious sisters
On February 7, Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell had the honor of welcoming Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt, SEMV, Archdiocese of Hartford, who offered Mass and shared a powerful reflection with the seminarians and sisters studying on campus.
The event was a moment of spiritual enrichment for the Holy Apostles community. Bishop Betancourt’s presence and message resonated deeply, inspiring those in attendance to continue their formation with renewed faith and commitment. His thoughtful reflection emphasized the importance of trusting in God’s providence and dedicating oneself wholeheartedly to the mission of spreading the Gospel.
Holy Apostles is pleased to share a special video featuring Bishop Betancourt’s blessing, extended to both on-campus and online students. In his heartfelt prayer, he sought the Lord’s guidance and protection for the entire Holy Apostles community. You can watch the full blessing here.
The bishop’s blessing reflects the mission of Holy Apostles to form faithful witnesses of Christ who are equipped to serve the Church and the world. As Bishop Betancourt prayed:
Heavenly Father, We come before You with grateful hearts, seeking Your blessing upon these Holy Apostles College and Seminary students. Guide their minds in wisdom, their hearts in faith, and their hands in service. May their studies deepen their understanding of truth and prepare them to be faithful witnesses of Your love. Strengthen them in times of challenge, enlighten them in their learning, and inspire them to use their knowledge for the good of the Church and the world. Fill them with Your Spirit, that they may be lights of Christ wherever they go. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
This visit serves as a beautiful reminder of the ongoing support and encouragement from Church leaders who recognize the vital role that Holy Apostles plays in forming future priests, religious, and lay leaders.
The entire community extends its heartfelt thanks to Bishop Betancourt for his time, wisdom, and spiritual care. May God continue to bless his ministry abundantly.
Bishop Betancourt celebrates Mass at Holy Apostles
Photography credit to Aaron Joseph, The Archdiocese of Hartford
“Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.” – Pope Benedict XVI
In a powerful testament to their unwavering commitment to the sanctity of life, seminarians, students, faculty, and priests from Holy Apostles College and Seminary embarked on a 10-hour journey to Washington, D.C., to participate in the 2025 March for Life. Their journey to the nation’s capital was made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor and made available to all students and alumni. Annually, the March for Life draws tens of thousands of faithful Catholics and pro-life advocates united in their mission to defend the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death.
Founded in response to the Roe v. Wade decision, the March for Life continues to be a sign of hope and a powerful demonstration of pro-life advocacy. For Holy Apostles, the march is not just a public stand for life but also a spiritual journey, reflecting their deep commitment to the Gospel of Life.
Before joining the rally on the National Mall and walking the streets alongside thousands of pro-life advocates, the Holy Apostles group attended Mass together at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Holy Apostles College and Seminary remains steadfast in its pro-life mission, forming students to be witnesses to the truth of human dignity and faithful leaders in their communities.
May the efforts of all who attended this year’s march bear fruit in building a culture of life rooted in love and respect for the dignity of every person.
Below are some photos from the March for Life. You can find more on our Instagram or Facebook page!
Leaving campus in the very late hours the night before the March for Life.
Attending Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Attending Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Holy Apostles met up with Alumni from across the U.S. during the March for Life!
Group picture on the steps of the National Shrine before attending the Rally and March for Life.
Holy Apostles joins thousands of other Pro-Life Advocates during the March for Life 2025
Group photo at the end of the March!
