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Holy Apostles Alumnus Elected Provincial Superior

Holy Apostles Alumnus Elected Provincial Superior

Pictured: President Rector Fr. Peter Kucer, MSA and Very Reverend Chis Alar, MIC at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA, standing in front of the weeping image of Divine Mercy.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2023 

Congratulations to the Very Rev. Chris Alar, MIC, on the news that he is the newly elected Provincial Superior of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in the United States and Argentina. Currently, he is also the Director of the Marian Helpers on the grounds of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Fr. Chris Alar received his Master in Divinity degree in 2014 from Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, CT.

President Rector Fr. Peter Kucer, MSA, President-Rector of Holy Apostles College & Seminary, recently visited Fr. Alar at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. “The service and evangelization that Fr. Alar is doing for the Shrine and our Catholic faith is truly remarkable. His ministry is reaching many people whose lives have been transformed by his teachings and witness of life,” said Fr. Kucer. “Holy Apostles College & Seminary is truly blessed to have formed at our seminary this exemplary, Christ-centered, inspirational priest who is placing his many gifts at the service of extending the Kingdom of God.”

Like other delayed vocation priests who attended Holy Apostles Seminary, Fr. Chris was a successful business owner living a worldly life before he decided to become a priest. Everything changed after he read the diary of St. Faustina and came to realize God’s infinite mercy, especially with his grandmother’s suicide that had impacted him. This experience led Fr. Chris to write the book After Suicide: There’s Still Hope for Them and You (2019).

“I am very grateful for the formation and education I received at Holy Apostles College and Seminary. It is the foundation of my priesthood, built on a life of prayer that was also fostered in me during my time there. As I give many talks around the world, I often explain what I am teaching is what I learned at HACS, a seminary faithful to the teachings of Christ and His Church”, said Fr. Alar.

Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. on EWTN, Fr. Chris hosts Living Divine Mercy, reaching millions of viewers with helpful information about the Catholic faith with inspirational stories. He also travels the globe giving popular talks on the messages of Divine Mercy and relevant teachings for our times.

The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy hosts thousands of visitors yearly at its beautiful chapel and grounds in the Berkshires and promotes the messages and devotions of God’s mercy given to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska OLM.


Holy Apostles College and Seminary www.holyapostles.edu is a NECHE and ATS accredited college with a mission of preparing and educating seminarians, consecrated and lay students for the New Evangelization through undergraduate and graduate programs. Students have access to faithfully Catholic, truly affordable, and fully online programs as well as residential religious programs in historic Cromwell, Connecticut. As a pioneer in online learning, Holy Apostles is one of the first theological schools to offer 100% online graduate programs. Alumni and faculty of the institution include internationally recognized leaders and experts in the areas of apologetics, philosophy, and theology.

Update Jan. 26: CARES Act Emergency Grants to Students – Disclosure per the Department of Education

CARES Act Emergency Grants to Students – Disclosure per the Department of Education

1. An acknowledgment that the school signed and returned the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution used—or intends to use—at least 50 percent of the Cares Act funds received for emergency grants to students.

HACS has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement and has used 100% of the Cares Act funds received for the Institutional Portion.

2. The total amount of funds a school received from ED.

The allocated amount awarded by the Department of Ed to HACS was $22,522 of which $11,261 was scheduled for disbursement by January 10, 2021, to on campus students who experienced sudden disruption, and $11,261 was scheduled for disbursement for institutional technological needs. Those students in our online programs are not eligible due to no disruption in their mode of delivery. 

3. The total amount of emergency grants distributed to students as of the posting/submission date.

The total amount of emergency grants distributed as of 01/10/21 is $11,261 (see below for a description of the disbursement procedures).

4. The total amount for the institutional portion as of the posting/submission date. 

The total amount for the institutional portion spent as of 01/26/21 is $11,261.

The upgrading of the wireless infrastructure to support on campus students engaged in emergency remote learning and connecting through the wireless network cost $10,460

The subscription of several faculty to Zoom services to engage the on campus students in emergency remote learning cost the remainder of the Institutional Portion of $801. 

This Disclosure to be updated quarterly. However, as the funds are depleted as of this report date of 01/26/21 this is the final report concerning the Institutional Portion of the grant.

January 10: CARES Act Emergency Grants to Students – Disclosure per the Department of Education

CARES Act Emergency Grants to Students – Disclosure per the Department of Education

1. An acknowledgement that the school signed and returned the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution used—or intends to use—at least 50 percent of the Cares Act funds received for emergency grants to students.

HACS has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement and will use at least 50% of the Cares Act funds received for emergency grants to students.

2. The total amount of funds a school received—or will receive—from ED.

The allocated amount awarded by the Department of Ed to HACS was $22,522 of which $11,261 will go to on campus students who experienced sudden disruption. Those students in our online programs are not eligible due to no disruption in their mode of delivery.

3. The total amount of emergency grants distributed to students as of the posting/submission date.

The total amount of emergency grants distributed as of 01/10/21 is $11,261.

4. The estimated number of students eligible to participate in the emergency grant program (the number of Title IV eligible students under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act).

The estimated number of students eligible to participate in the emergency grant program is 17.

5. The total number of students who have received emergency grants under the CARES Act.

The total number of students who have received the emergency grants as of 01/10/21 is 10
The total number of students who have declined the emergency grants as of 01/10/21 is 3
The total number of students who have not responded as of 01/10/21 is 4.

6. The method(s) used to determine which students received the emergency grants and how much they received.

The method used to determine which students received the emergency grants was to adhere to the requirement that our on campus students be Title IV eligible under Section 484 of the HEA.

The method of how much they received in the first Award Offers was to divide both undergrad and graduate students into two categories: full time and less than full time. Then using the Pell Chart schedule to assign the full time students the maximum amount of the lowest cell $775 and the less than full time students were assigned half that amount or $388.

The second Award Offer was based on need according to the FAFSA. Students were sent another Award Offer acknowledging that they still had needs according to the criteria previously established. The first checks of this second wave commenced on 7/22/20. The final checks were sent on 11/20/20.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided to students concerning the emergency grants.

Students who had not submitted a FAFSA had to self attest to eligibility in the first letter issued 5/15. As these letters were returned, the Award Offer was issued with the initial awarded amount. The student again needed to self attest that they had needs that met or exceed the awarded amount related to the disruption of their classes on campus due to coronavirus including expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care. As these letters were returned the checks were issued.

As noted in #6, another Award was offered to eligible students based on need, not enrollment status, according to their FAFSA.

This Disclosure to be updated quarterly. However as the funds are depleted as of this report date of 01/10/21 this is the final report.

October 10: CARES Act Emergency Grants to Students – Disclosure per the Department of Education

CARES Act Emergency Grants to Students – Disclosure per the Department of Education

  1. An acknowledgement that the school signed and returned the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution used—or intends to use—at least 50 percent of the Cares Act funds received for emergency grants to students.

HACS has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement and will use at least 50% of the Cares Act funds received for emergency grants to students. 

  1. The total amount of funds a school received—or will receive—from ED.

The allocated amount awarded by the Department of Ed to HACS was $22,522 of which $11,261 will go to on campus students who experienced sudden disruption.  Those students in our online programs are not eligible due to no disruption in their mode of delivery.

  1. The total amount of emergency grants distributed to students as of the posting/submission date.

The total amount of emergency grants distributed as of 10/10/20 is $9,756.

4. The estimated number of students eligible to participate in the emergency grant program (the number of Title IV eligible students under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act).

The estimated number of students eligible to participate in the emergency grant program is 17.

5. The total number of students who have received emergency grants under the CARES Act.

The total number of students who have received the emergency grants as of 10/10/20 is 10 

The total number of students who have declined the emergency grants as of 10/10/20 is 3

The total number of students who have not responded as of 10/10/20 is 4. 

 6. The method(s) used to determine which students received the emergency grants and how much they received.

The method used to determine which students received the emergency grants was to adhere to the requirement that our oncampus students be Title IV eligible under Section 484 of the HEA.

The method of how much they received in the first Award Offers was to divide both undergrad and graduate students into two categories:  full time and less than full time.  Then using the Pell Chart schedule to assign the full time students the maximum amount of the lowest cell $775 and the less than full time students were assigned half that amount or $388.

The second Award Offer was based on need according to the FAFSA.  Students were sent another Award Offer acknowledging that they still had needs according to the criteria previously established.  The first checks of this second wave commenced on 7/22/20. 

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided to students concerning the emergency grants.

Students who had not submitted a FAFSA had to self attest to eligibility in the first letter issued 5/15.  As these letters were returned, the Award Offer was issued with the initial awarded amount.  The student again needed to self attest that they had needs that met or exceed the awarded amount related to the disruption of their classes on campus due to coronavirus including expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care. As these letters were returned the checks were issued.

As noted in #6, another Award was offered to eligible students based on need, not enrollment status, according to their FAFSA. 

This Disclosure to be updated quarterly.  The next required update is due on January 10, 2021.

August 24: CARES Act Emergency Grants to Students – Disclosure per the Department of Education

1. An acknowledgement that the school signed and returned the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution used—or intends to use—at least 50 percent of the Cares Act funds received for emergency grants to students.

HACS has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement and will use at least 50% of the Cares Act funds received for emergency grants to students.

2. The total amount of funds a school received—or will receive—from ED.

The allocated amount awarded by the Department of Ed to HACS was $22,522 of which $11,261 will go to on campus students who experienced sudden disruption. Those students in our online programs are not eligible due to no disruption in their mode of delivery.

3. The total amount of emergency grants distributed to students as of the posting/submission date.

The total amount of emergency grants distributed as of 8/24/20 is $9,756.

4. The estimated number of students eligible to participate in the emergency grant program (the number of Title IV eligible students under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act).

The estimated number of students eligible to participate in the emergency grant program is 17.

5. The total number of students who have received emergency grants under the CARES Act.

The total number of students who have received the emergency grants as of 8/24/20 is 10
The total number of students who have declined the emergency grants as of 8/24/20 is 3
The total number of students who have not responded as of 8/24/20 is 4.

6. The method(s) used to determine which students received the emergency grants and how much they received.

The method used to determine which students received the emergency grants was to adhere to the requirement that our oncampus students be Title IV eligible under Section 484 of the HEA.

The method of how much they received in the first Award Offers was to divide both undergrad and graduate students into two categories: full time and less than full time. Then using the Pell Chart schedule to assign the full time students the maximum amount of the lowest cell $775 and the less than full time students were assigned half that amount or $388.

The second Award Offer was based on need according to the FAFSA. Students were sent another Award Offer acknowledging that they still had needs according to the criteria previously established. The first checks of this second wave commenced on 7/22/20.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided to students concerning the emergency grants.

Students who had not submitted a FAFSA had to self attest to eligibility in the first letter issued 5/15. As these letters were returned, the Award Offer was issued with the initial awarded amount. The student again needed to self attest that they had needs that met or exceed the awarded amount related to the disruption of their classes on campus due to coronavirus including expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care. As these letters were returned the checks were issued.

As noted in #6, another Award was offered to eligible students based on need, not enrollment status, according to their FAFSA.

This Disclosure to be updated every 45 days. The next update is due on October 8, 2020.

July 10: CARES Act Emergency Grants to Students – Disclosure per the Department of Education

1. An acknowledgement that the school signed and returned the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution used—or intends to use—at least 50 percent of the Cares Act funds received for emergency grants to students.

HACS has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement and will use at least 50% of the Cares Act funds received for emergency grants to students.

2. The total amount of funds a school received—or will receive—from ED.

The allocated amount awarded by the Department of Ed to HACS was $22,522 of which $11,261 will go to on campus students who experienced sudden disruption. Those students in our online programs are not eligible due to no disruption in their mode of delivery.

3. The total amount of emergency grants distributed to students as of the posting/submission date.

The total amount of emergency grants distributed as of 7/10/20 is $6,201.

4. The estimated number of students eligible to participate in the emergency grant program (the number of Title IV eligible students under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act).

The estimated number of students eligible to participate in the emergency grant program is 17.

5. The total number of students who have received emergency grants under the CARES Act.

The total number of students who have received the emergency grants as of 7/10/20 is 9
The total number of students who have declined the emergency grants as of 7/10/20 is 3
The total number of students who have not responded as of 7/10/20 is 5.

6. The method(s) used to determine which students received the emergency grants and how much they received.

The method used to determine which students received the emergency grants was to adhere to the requirement that our oncampus students be Title IV eligible under Section 484 of the HEA.

The method of how much they received was to divide both undergrad and graduate students into two categories: full time and less than full time. Then using the Pell Chart schedule to assign the full time students the maximum amount of the lowest cell $775 and the less than full time students were assigned half that amount or $388.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided to students concerning the emergency grants.

Students who had not submitted a FAFSA had to self attest to eligibility in the first letter issued 5/15. As these letters are returned, the 2nd letter was issued with the awarded amount. The student again needs to self attest that they have needs that meet or exceed the awarded amount related to the disruption of their classes on campus due to coronavirus including expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care. As these letters are returned the checks will be issued.

This Disclosure to be updated every 45 days. The next update is due on August 24, 2020.