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.
Dr. James “Jim” Bechler Sendelbach, Ed.D., LPC85, of Conyers, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 2, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dr. Susan Sendelbach and numerous family members.
James proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era as a Morse code specialist, even playing a role in the Cuban Missile Crisis. He earned a B.A., cum laude, from Holy Apostles College, and went on to receive an Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University and become a mental health counselor. His wife, Susan, explained that “Jim” had wonderful memories of his time at Holy Apostles.
James was a devoted member of St. Pius Catholic Church in Conyers since 1991, and his faith was central to his life.
Fr. Jose Maria Salgado, FSSP, 92, died on March 8, 2025. Born in Tucson, Arizona, Fr. Salgado joined the Army after graduating from high school. He then attended a minor seminary but, after graduating, began a career as an electrical technician.
Years later, Fr. Salgado pursued his vocation again and received a Master of Divinity from Holy Apostles Seminary before being ordained a priest for the Diocese of Stockton, California in 1993. He loved the Traditional Latin Mass and applied to join the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter in 1994, with incardination taking place in 2001.
Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, 76, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist and Executive Director of the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell, Michigan, entered eternal life on June 14, after a long and faith-filled battle with cancer and its complications.
While in college working toward a degree in education, Sister Colleen Ann became familiar with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and entered the Community in 1973. In 1981, she professed perpetual vows. Sister Colleen Ann spearheaded the construction of the Franciscan Life Process Center north of Lowell, Wisconsin, which provides the space for the many outreaches of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in West Michigan.
Sister Colleen Ann earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology from Holy Apostles which was awarded in 2007. She is survived by her Franciscan Community of Sisters, family, and many friends.
Historian and Holy Apostles professor emeritus, Sr. Dolores Liptak, RSM, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th triennial Conference on the History of Women Religious (CHWR) on June 24. Sr. Liptak, a Sister of Mercy of the Americas, contributed to the original organization of the conference in the 1980s and has remained a member. The first conference was held in 1989 in Minneapolis. Since then, triennial conferences have sought to enhance networking while sharing research on vowed women.
When first organized, Sr. Liptak recalls that the CHWR had a small number of people happy to get together and share their specializations and their roles as women religious. In 2016, the Global Sisters Reports stated that there were more than 400 members from around the world.
Sr. Liptak, who earned a doctorate in American History, was a member of the faculty at Holy Apostles from 1998 until 2014. She taught American Church History to such notables as our current President-Rector, Fr. Peter Kucer, MSA (M. Div. 2001, MA in Theology 2002); author and EWTN radio host Fr. Wade Menezes, CPM (M.A. in Theology 2000, M.Div. 2000, H.D. 2024); Provincial Superior of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and EWTN host Fr. Chris Alar, MIC (M. Div. 2013); and Ave Maria radio host, pastor, and exorcist Fr. Daniel Reehil, VF (MA Theology 2013, M. Div. 2013), to name a few.
In addition to teaching and contributing to the CHWR, Sister was the first to organize and computerize several major archives: the Carmelite Monastery in Baltimore, MD; the Visitation Sisters in the Georgetown area of Washington, DC; the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in Stockbridge, MA; and the Connecticut archives of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.
Sr. Liptak has used her expertise as a historian in the editing of several books, including Pioneer Healers: The History of Women Religious in American Healthcare, and Marvels of Charity: History of American Sisters and Nuns. Additionally, she is the author of Hartford’sCatholic Legacy.
Holy Apostles was proud to learn that one of our alumni participated in the first Mass of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV. Sister Mary Mercy Lee, FSE, MA ’11, PMC ‘17, proclaimed the first reading in English at the Mass that took place on May 9 in the Sistine Chapel.
Image credit: Vatican News Youtube Live Broadcast
Sister Mary Mercy received her Master of Arts in Theology at Holy Apostles prior to discerning her vocation as a religious sister. At that time, her given name was Robyn Lee. In 2016, she entered the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in Meriden, CT, and professed her perpetual vows in May 2024. During discernment and while in the novitiate, she studied at Holy Apostles and received her Post Master’s Certificate in 2017.
After her profession of vows, Sister Mary Mercy was assigned to work at the Vatican, where she serves in the English language section at a Vatican office. As relayed in a Facebook post by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, Sister Mary Mercy considered it a privilege to proclaim the first reading at the Holy Father’s first Mass for the cardinal-electors.
At Holy Apostles, we share the excitement about our new pope. As President-Rector Rev. Peter Kucer, MSA, stated in his email of joy upon Pope Leo’s election, “We welcome him with hearts full of hope and prayers, trusting that the Lord will continue to guide His Church through the humble service of the Vicar of Christ.”
Watch Sister Mary Mercy as she proclaims the first reading at Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass.
Holy Apostles held its 67th Commencement Ceremony on April 26, 2025, at Queen of the Apostles Chapel on the campus in Cromwell, CT. Attending either in person or via livestream were 160 students representing 30 states and four countries. At the event, President-Rector Very Rev. Peter Kucer bestowed an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (L.H.D.), honoris causa, upon Mr. James Wahlberg in recognition of his notable contributions to society.
Left to Right: Very Rev. Peter Kucer, Mr. Jim Wahlberg, and Dr. Kristina Olsen
The weekend began with a Friday evening gala that brought together faculty, staff, graduates, guests, and friends. We were honored to have as special guests: The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, 6th Archbishop of Hartford, and keynote speaker Mr. Wahlberg. In his commencement address on Saturday, Mr. Wahlberg, an author, speaker, and award-winning filmmaker, spoke about receiving the mercy and grace that only God can provide. For him, it came in the form of a priest, Fr. James Freitas, who was there for him at the lowest point in his life and to whom he dedicated his speech. Speaking at the podium, in the Holy Apostles Chapel, Jim Wahlberg thanked the seminarians, priests, and all the religious, “for your ‘Yes’ to Our Lord.”
“You see, the things that you learn here at Holy Apostles will arm you, so that when the time comes, you will be Fr. Freitas for somebody else… He was a reflection of Jesus Christ… And you will have that opportunity, and you will be armed with the facts,” he said. He also emphasized that “love is the most important thing, but then it has to be followed up with a message of depth and weight.”
Wahlberg ended by reciting the Apostles’ Creed as a testimony of his beliefs. His final words encouraged the graduates with the statement, “Be bold in your faith. The world needs you.” — Watch Mr. Wahlberg’s complete commencement address. Both the undergraduate speaker, Carla Martinez, and the graduate speaker, Sr. Hoa Ngoc Thi Nguyen, SJP, spoke of finding solace and strength from God through prayer during the stressful times in their educational journey. Sr. Nguyen went on to explain that at Holy Apostles, she gained knowledge, but also learned a valuable lesson of love from the patience, thoughtfulness, and kindness of her professors, as well as from the religious and lay students with whom she studied and worked. As for the future, she reminded those in attendance, “No matter what the future holds, we are never alone because God is always with us.”
Over 300 attendees gathered at the beautiful Saint Clements Castle & Marina in Portland, CT, for the Holy Apostles Gala on April 24, 2025.
The festivities featured special guest, The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, 6th Archbishop of Hartford, and keynote speaker Mr. Jim Wahlberg, who delivered the commencement address the next day at the Holy Apostles’ 67th Commencement Ceremony.
From left to right, first row: Archbishop Coyne, Jim Wahlberg, Peter Callan, Very Rev. Peter Kucer. Second row: Brother Ron Aucoin, Very Rev. Martin Rooney, Bishop Betancourt, and John Connelly. | Photos by Phil Farnsworth
The evening began on a high note with the angelic voices of the Cathedral Schola Cantorum from the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford. The choral group performed an impressive medley of both spiritual and popular tunes.
Archbishop Coyne and Jim Wahlberg shared stories of their years in Boston, setting the tone for an engaging and spirit-filled evening. As a writer, speaker, and filmmaker, Jim Wahlberg shared a captivating testimony of his personal journey of recovery and redemption, describing how an encounter with Mother Teresa was a pivotal moment in his transformation.
Thank you to Peter Callan and Saint Clements Charities for their excellent hospitality. Funds raised at the event support Holy Apostles’ mission of providing an affordable and quality educational experience for seminarians, religious, and lay students.
Cathedral Schola Cantorum
Holy Apostles Board members, Bob O’Hara, chair and Fr. Ed Przygocki, MSA
Silent Auction: Thank you to our wonderful donors!
Cheers erupted across St. Peter’s Square—and around the world—when white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 6:09 p.m. Rome time on May 8, 2025. For nearly an hour, the world watched and waited to learn who would become the 267th Holy Father. At last, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti stepped out onto the loggia and declared: “Habemus Papam!” A hush fell over the crowd as he announced that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost had been elected and had taken the name Leo XIV.
So, who is our new Holy Father—and what can we expect from Pope Leo XIV? Here are 5 facts you should know!
1. Pope Leo XIV has dual citizenship
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in 1955 in the south Chicago suburb of Dolton, Illinois, grew up in a devout Catholic family. His father served as a Catholic school superintendent, and his mother was a librarian. The youngest of three brothers, Prevost felt the call to religious life early. The family home was always filled with local priests, gathered around the dinner table. After his ordination in 1982, he joined the Augustinian mission in Peru, where he served for many years and eventually obtained Peruvian citizenship.
2. He belongs to the Order of St. Augustine
The Order of St. Augustine, founded in 1244 under Pope Innocent IV, follows the teachings and rule of St. Augustine of Hippo. Prevost joined the order in 1977 and served as its Prior General from 2001 to 2013. His leadership emphasized evangelization, especially in Latin America. With his election as Pope Leo XIV, he became the first member of the Augustinian order ever to be chosen as pope.
3. He’s a Tennis & Baseball Fan
In an interview with the Augustinians, he said, “I consider myself quite an amateur tennis player. Since leaving Peru, I have had few occasions to practice, so I am looking forward to getting back on the court.”
Growing up near Chicago, Prevost became — and remains — a loyal Chicago White Sox fan, a passion that reminds many of Pope John Paul II’s love for skiing: a reminder that popes are human too.
4. He has held Senior Roles in the Vatican
Before his election, Pope Leo XIV held key leadership positions within the Vatican. In January 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops — the Vatican office responsible for overseeing the appointment of bishops around the world. In April 2023, he was appointed as the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, These roles placed him at the heart of the Church’s global leadership decisions.
5. Elected on the Anniversary of the Apparition of St. Michael
Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8 — the anniversary of the apparition of St. Michael the Archangel on Monte Gargano in the 5th century. This event cemented St. Michael’s role as a heavenly protector of the Church.
The date draws symbolic connections to Pope Leo XIII, who famously composed the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel in 1886 after a mystical experience warning of future spiritual trials. Many Catholics now look to Pope Leo XIV’s election on this feast as a sign of renewed spiritual protection and strength for the Church.
A Pontificate Shaped by Mission and Heritage
Pope Leo XIV brings with him a rich blend of American roots, missionary zeal, and deep theological formation. His unique background — as a Chicago native, a Peruvian citizen, and the first Augustinian pope — promises a pontificate rooted in tradition and energized by global experience.
Both the undergraduate speaker, Carla Martinez, and the graduate speaker, Sr. Hoa Ngoc Thi Nguyen, SJP, spoke of finding solace and strength from God through prayer during the stressful times in their educational journey. Sr. Nguyen went on to explain that at Holy Apostles, she gained knowledge, but also learned a valuable lesson of love from the patience, thoughtfulness, and kindness of her professors, as well as from the religious and lay students with whom she studied and worked. As for the future, she reminded those in attendance, “No matter what the future holds, we are never alone because God is always with us.”
