Coronavirus/covid-19 Updates
Prayer Requests
During this time the Family of Holy Apostles is praying for you and your loved ones. We want to offer you the opportunity to send us your specific prayer intentions. If you have any specific prayer requests please send them to us using this email address [email protected]. All prayer requests will be prayed for by the Holy Apostles Family during our daily Masses and Eucharistic Adoration. God bless you and Mary, Queen of Apostles, watch over and protect us.
HACS Community Updates
St. John Bosco and St. Francis de Sales – January Library Display
St. John Bosco
August 16, 1815 – January 31, 1888
St. John Bosco was an Italian Catholic priest, educator, and writer of the 19th century. While working in Turin, where the population suffered many of the ill effects of industrialization and urbanization, he dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth. He developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment, a method that became known as the “Salesian Preventive System.”
A follower of the spirituality and philosophy of St. Francis de Sales, Bosco was an ardent devotee of the Virgin Mary under the title *Mary Help of Christians*. He later dedicated his works to de Sales when he founded the Salesians of Don Bosco, based in Turin. He was one of the pioneers of mutual aid societies, which provided financial support to young migrant Catholic workers in Turin. In 1850, he drafted regulations to assist apprentices and their companions when they were involuntarily unemployed or fell ill.
In 1875, Bosco began publishing the *Salesian Bulletin*, which has remained in continuous publication and is currently available in 50 different editions and 30 languages. In 1876, he founded the Association of Salesian Cooperators, a movement of laypeople dedicated to the same educational mission for the poor. Through a network of organizations and centers, Bosco’s legacy continues to thrive.
St. Francis de Sales
August 21, 1567 – December 28, 1622
St. Francis de Sales was a Roman Catholic bishop of Geneva and a Doctor of the Church. He was active in the struggle against Calvinism and co-founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary.
At the age of 19, Francis attended a Calvinist lecture on predestination, which led him to believe he was destined for hell. This caused him great distress for months. Eventually, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother and the *Memorare* prayer, Francis was freed from this error and focused on the pure love of God. Though initially reluctant, his father eventually supported Francis’s ordination and helped secure him an important position in the Diocese of Geneva.
Francis’s success as a preacher was marked by his ability to convey the faith clearly, respectfully, truthfully, and charitably. He often placed written explanations of Catholic beliefs under people’s doors, inviting them to return to the Church. His motto was: *“He who preaches with love, preaches effectively.”*
Francis believed holiness was not limited to monastic or religious life but was attainable for everyone, regardless of their state in life or occupation. This conviction is most evident in his renowned book, *Introduction to the Devout Life.* It is said that through his efforts, Bishop de Sales brought back as many as 40,000 Catholics who had embraced Calvinism.
After nine years as a priest and 20 years as a bishop, Francis suffered a stroke and died shortly after. It is believed that one of the last things he wrote was a testimony to his deep love of God.
SAINT BOSCO & SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES – BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ceria, Reverand Eugenio. The Biographical Memoirs of Saint John Bosco. New Rochelle, NY: Salesiana Publishers. 1985.
Dailey, Thomas F. Praying with Francis de Sales. Winona, MI: St Mary’s Press. 1997.
Bacchiarello, Father J. (editor). Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco: The Apostle of Youth. Rockford, IL: Tan Books & Publishers Inc. 1969.
Phelan, Edna Beyer. Don Bosco A Spiritual Portrait. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc. 1963.
Rinaldi, Peter. Man with a Dream The Story of St. John Bosco. New Rochelle, NY: Don Bosco Publications. 1981.
De Sales, St. Francis. Thy Will Be Done! Letters of St. Francis de Sales. Manchester NH: Sophia Institute Press. 1995.
De Sales, St Francis and Mackey, Rev. Henry Benedict (Translator). The Catholic Controversy St. Francis de Sales Defense of the Church. Charlotte, NC. 2012.
Ravier, Andre. Francis De Sales Sage and Saint. Bowler, Joseph D. (Translator). San Francisco, CA: 1988.
Sheppard, Lancelot C. Don Bosco Westminster, MD: The Newman Press. 1957.
ARCHIVAL/SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Chalippe, Candide, Reverand (translator). The Life of S: Francis of Assisi. New York: D&J Sadler & Co. 1877
Livius, Reverand T. S. Peter, Bishop of Rome: or the Roman Episcopate of the Prince of the Apostles; proved from the Fathers, History, and Archeology, and illustrated by arguments from other sources. New York: Catholic Publication Society. 1888
Fr. Wade Menezes: From Journalist to Evangelist
Rev. Wade Menezes, CPM shares how he was led to the priesthood, to the Fathers of Mercy and to his important ministry today.
Fr. Wade is a summa cum laude graduate of the Holy Apostles Class of 2000, with dual Master of Arts in Theology and Master of Divinity degrees. Coupled with prior degrees in journalism and communications, he has been successful in his utilization of TV, radio, and print to evangelize as a priest.
Fr. Wade is also the host of EWTN Global Catholic Radio’s Open Line Tuesday and has been featured on other stations, such as Ave Maria Radio, Guadalupe Radio Network, Catholic Broadcasting Northwest, and more.
At the 66th Commencement Ceremony in May, Fr. Wade received an Honorary Doctorate of Moral Theology for his impactful work in evangelization. He emphasized in his commencement speech that we are all called to “defend truth and faith as our Catholic calling.”
Watch our interview with Fr. Wade.
The Holy Family – December Library Display
Each of us can model ourselves after the Holy Family – trusting in God, following his will, and proclaiming the Good News. Today is a reminder of our own call to holiness and the mission of family life. The joy of this Christmas season is not meant to be kept to ourselves; rather, we must allow it to grow in our hearts and our families so that we can bring it to a world desperate to know Jesus Christ. (Knights of Columbus)
When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” … When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazorean” (Mt 2:13-15, 19-23).
HOLY FAMILY – BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bauer, Judy (editor). Advent and Christmas with Fulton J. Sheen. Liquori, MS: Liquori Publications. 2001.
Beckett, Sister Wendy. Sister Wendy’s Nativity. Chicago, IL: Loyola Press. 1998.
Deiss, Lucien. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press. 1996
Faber, Frederick W. Bethlehem. Charlotte, NC: Tan Books. 2011.
Farey, Caroline. Nativity: A Visual Meditation. Oxford, England: Family Publications. 2008
McGlinchey, Paul M. A Vatican Christmas: Creches of Pope John Paul II. New Haven, CT: Knights of Columbus Museum Publishing. 2006.
McKenna, Megan. Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Hyde Park, NY: New City Press. 2008.
Merton, Thomas. Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton. Liquori, MS: Liquori Publications. 2002.
Metropolitan Museum of Art (The). The Nativity: The Christmas Creche. Garden City, NY: Doubleday Company. 1969.
Ryan, Father Kenneth. The Catholic Digest Christmas Book. St. Paul, MN: Carillon Books. 1977.
Sri, Edward. Dawn of the Messiah: The Coming of Christ in Scripture. Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 2005.
ARCHIVAL/SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
English College of Douuay. The Holy Bible: Faithfully Translated into English out of Authentical Latin, Diligently Conferred with the Hebrew, Greek, & Other Editions in Diverse Languages, Tome. Printed by John Cousturier, 1635.
Schaff, Philip and Gilman, Arthur. A Library of Religious Poetry: A Collection of the Best Poems of All Ages and Tongues, New York, NY: Dodd, Mead, and Company. 1881.
The MSA Partnership of Priest and Laity — We can’t do it alone!
“For just as the body is one and has many members, so it is with Christ…. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27-28.
Fr. Eusebe Menard, OFM, founder of the Society of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles and founder of the seminary that bears its name, gave equal status to Mr. Hector Durand as the “co-founder” of the Society. Why was that? Mr. Durand was a faithful Catholic who happened to be a successful Contractor in Montreal Canada — and he contributed half his fortune to the building of seminaries. Together Fr. Menard and Mr. Durand modeled the crucial MSA charism of “partnership” between laity and the ministerial priesthood. In testimony of this, on the back of the official MSA chasuble, two hands are featured. The first is the priest’s hand that holds the earth’s globe. The second is the layman’s hand which supports the priest’s hand in ministry. In practical terms, the parts of the body of Christ work together to accomplish the mission of evangelizing and ministering to the world, together. Without Mr. Durand, Fr. Menard could not have done what he did. And thus, the Holy Spirit connected them together in order to do an extraordinary thing.
“St. Michael’s Retreat House,” in Oxnard, CA is an apostolate that I am privileged to serve, and which depends upon the MSA charism of clergy laity partnership. The various retreats and days of reflection offered at St. Michael’s would not be possible except for the generous time and financial assistance of a group called the “Men of Faith.” On every other Tuesday evening about 12-15 men offer prayers, a potluck, and a program. The men of faith have enthusiastically embraced St. Michael’s House as their “apostolate of service,” and they fund a parttime secretary to help their “tech-challenged” Director (yours truly) to administer the place.
Word of this reached the ears of Bishop Slawomir Szkredka, auxiliary for the Santa Barbara Pastoral Region who took the place of Bishop Robert Barron, who got St. Michael’s House off the ground and gave it its name.
The “A Team” (Appreciation!) — from left to right — Juan Flores, David Sanchez, Charles Teachout, Michelle Kimble (Tuesday retreats), Lalo Miranda, Bishop Slawomir Szkredka, John Kimble, Vivian Cahill (retreat breakfasts) Kevin Williams, Fr. Skip Thompson, Joe Domitrovich. Missing in action for some good reason: Andy Stay, Torch Rivera, George Baldonado.
Bishop Slawomir came to our humble house to appreciate the Men of Faith at a dinner and presented each, including 2 “women of faith,” who regularly pull in the harness with House Director, Fr. Skip. The bishop signed a dozen certifications and presented them to each person.
It was a rare and very well-received moment for the bishop to take the time and recognize our special laypersons. Our contract to minister St. Michael’s house continues with his support and that of Provincial Animator (and HACS Chancellor) Martin Rooney and Santa Clara Church Pastor John Love. The MSA charism of clergy-lay partnership has brought us far — and the partnership will keep us growing as we minister on crucial issues affecting the faithful.
As we write this article, we are in the 34th week of Ordinary Time. But as I have said on numerous occasions, nothing is ordinary about the times the Church finds herself in now. We are no longer an “age of change,” (though things are changing rapidly). Rather we are in a “changing of the ages,” which requires the Church to reset her compass to follow a missionary course — and find a “few good men” to lead the Church and take her on the “offensive” once again.
Holy Apostles Honors Graduate From First Class
It was a celebratory night at the TPC River Highlands on Saturday, October 26, when alumni and friends of Holy Apostles College and Seminary gathered for a special evening to benefit the Holy Apostles Seminary Scholarship Fund.
Proceeds from the event will provide important funding to support vocations to the priesthood.
(l to r) Fr. Rooney, Fr. Ray Introvigne, and Fr. Peter Kucer
During the evening, President-Rector Fr. Peter Kucer presented the Holy Apostles Leadership Award to Fr. Ray Introvigne for his many years of service to the Catholic Church. Fr. Ray, who grew up in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, celebrated his 60th year as a priest this past May and graduated in the first class of Holy Apostles in 1960. He was appointed in 1977 to be the full-time director of Charismatic Renewal in the Norwich Diocese and continues with the Spiritual Renewal program to this day.
In his acceptance speech, Fr. Ray explained that he had not planned on the priesthood, and if not for Holy Apostles it may not have happened. He recalled that, before World War II, if a boy did not go to both Catholic grammar school and high school, they could not become a priest.
However, with the help of his pastor — and the Holy Spirit — Fr. Ray went to Boston to catch up on his Latin, French, English, and religious studies. Upon his return to Connecticut, Fr. Eusebe Menard, M.S.A. called and asked Fr. Ray to come and help him open the new Holy Apostles Seminary to which Fr. Ray agreed. As he said, “Holy Apostles is a gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Holy Apostles was the first seminary in the country to accept men with delayed vocations. As a result, many graduates of Holy Apostles are priests in dioceses across the country and in various religious orders both nationally and internationally.
Another guest speaker of the evening was recent graduate, Fr. Daniel Valente, M.S.A., who received his Master of Divinity degree from Holy Apostles in December 2023 and his Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture in May 2024.
Fr. Dan is now the Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford, CT. He spoke to the guests about the support he received at Holy Apostles, and how important that was to his success in becoming a priest. Each day he tries to share the values he learned at Holy Apostles with his parishioners, centered in the Eucharist and the word of God.
Fr. Valente asked all to support the men at Holy Apostles studying for the priesthood, through prayers, time, and resources. As Fr. Valente said, “forming healthy, balanced priests who can
Cristi Shaw, Danielle Cutting, and Sr. Renee Marek, FSE.
meet the needs of the Church today is all our business. It costs money, it takes time, and it takes love. Love for God. Love for our Church. And for every single person’s respective vocation.”
The evening was an opportunity to mingle, enjoy delicious cuisine and listen to uplifting music from the Hosmer Mountain Boys.
We are very thankful for all who supported this important event. If you would like to make a gift to assist the seminary, you can do so at Make a Donation.
Holy Apostles Partners with Encounter School of Ministry to Advance Evangelical Mission
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 25, 2024
Holy Apostles Partners with Encounter School of Ministry to Advance Evangelical Mission
Dear Holy Apostles Community,
With great joy, I announce a new partnership between Holy Apostles College & Seminary and the Encounter School of Ministry. Through this collaboration, we will accept graduate and undergraduate transfer credits from Encounter, further advancing our shared mission of forming faithful disciples and leaders for the New Evangelization.
We are especially honored to work alongside Encounter’s Founder and President, Fr. Mathias Thelen, whose vision has guided Encounter’s transformative impact, and Executive Director Patrick Reis (MA Philosophy, ’14), a proud Holy Apostles alumnus. Their leadership has inspired countless students to embrace their faith with zeal while pursuing intellectual and spiritual formation.
This partnership underscores our mutual commitment to academic excellence and spiritual growth. Encounter students will now have accredited degree pathways to deepen their theological and philosophical education, equipping them to boldly proclaim the Gospel in today’s world.
May this collaboration bear abundant fruit for the Church and inspire a new generation of evangelists dedicated to Christ’s mission.
In Christ,
Rev. Peter Kucer, MSA
President Rector
Holy Apostles College & Seminary
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 apologetics, philosophy, and theology.
November 22, 1963: Death of the President
Shortly after noon on November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as he rode in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas, Texas.
Crowds of excited people lined the streets and waved to the Kennedys. The car turned off Main Street at Dealey Plaza around 12:30 p.m. As it was passing the Texas School Book Depository, gunfire suddenly reverberated in the plaza.
Bullets struck the president’s neck and head and he slumped over toward Mrs. Kennedy. The governor was shot in his back.
The car sped off to Parkland Memorial Hospital just a few minutes away. But little could be done for the President. A Catholic priest was summoned to administer the last rites, and at 1:00 p.m. John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead. Though seriously wounded, Governor Connally would recover.
The president’s body was brought to Love Field and placed on Air Force One. Before the plane took off, a grim-faced Lyndon B. Johnson stood in the tight, crowded compartment and took the oath of office, administered by US District Court Judge Sarah Hughes. The brief ceremony took place at 2:38 p.m.
Less than an hour earlier, police had arrested Lee Harvey Oswald, a recently hired employee at the Texas School Book Depository. He was being held for the assassination of President Kennedy and the fatal shooting, shortly afterward, of Patrolman J. D. Tippit on a Dallas street.
On Sunday morning, November 24, Oswald was scheduled to be transferred from police headquarters to the county jail. Viewers across America watching the live television coverage suddenly saw a man aim a pistol and fire at point-blank range. The assailant was identified as Jack Ruby, a local nightclub owner. Oswald died two hours later at Parkland Hospital.
The President’s Funeral
That same day, President Kennedy’s flag-draped casket was moved from the White House to the Capitol on a caisson drawn by six grey horses, accompanied by one riderless black horse. At Mrs. Kennedy’s request, the cortege and other ceremonial details were modeled on the funeral of Abraham Lincoln. Crowds lined Pennsylvania Avenue and many wept openly as the caisson passed. During the 21 hours that the president’s body lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda, about 250,000 people filed by to pay their respects.
On Monday, November 25, 1963 President Kennedy was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral was attended by heads of state and representatives from more than 100 countries, with untold millions more watching on television. Afterward, at the grave site, Mrs. Kennedy and her husband’s brothers, Robert and Edward, lit an eternal flame.
Perhaps the most indelible images of the day were the salute to his father given by little John F. Kennedy Jr. (whose third birthday it was), daughter Caroline kneeling next to her mother at the president’s bier, and the extraordinary grace and dignity shown by Jacqueline Kennedy.
COVID19 Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Campus Open to the Public?
Campus Access – The Campus is ONLY open to resident students. This includes but is not limited to the Dining Hall, Chapel, and Library.
Is the Commencement Ceremony/Graduation Postponed?
Updated Tuesday, March 31st
Dear Family of Holy Apostles College and Seminary:
After careful consideration and after hearing from you, our students, we have decided to postpone graduation to a later date not canceling it altogether or live-streaming it. We understand how important this time is for you, our graduates.
Unfortunately, we are not sure when this will be, as things are ever-changing due to the Coronavirus. As things become more clear we will communicate with our graduates the information we have. We thank those of you who wrote to us with your concerns about graduation. Your comments and concerns allowed us to better discern about graduation.
Please be assured of our prayers for you and your families.
United in the Lord Jesus,
Fr Peter S. Kucer, M.S.A. S.T.D.
President-Rector
Is the Gratitude Gala Postponed?
The Gratitude Gala – The HACS Gratitude Gala scheduled for April 24th has been postponed. Please watch for information on a future date.
Are Online Students' Schedules Affected?
Online Students – Your courses will take place as scheduled.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact Jennie Murphy at [email protected]