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
NECHE Public Announcement with Invitation for Feedback
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]
Holy Apostles Welcomes Bishop Betancourt for a Day of Prayer and Inspiration
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
Sts. Blaise and Valentine – February 2025 Library Display
SAINT BLAISE
Saint Blaise was the Bishop of Sebastea and a doctor. The first known record of the saint’s life comes from the medical writings of Aëtius Amidenus, where he is recorded as helping patients suffering from objects stuck in their throats. Many of the miraculous aspects of St. Blaise’s life are written 400 years after his martyrdom in the “Acts of St. Blaise.”
Saint Blaise is believed to have begun as a healer and then, eventually, became a “physician of souls.” He then retired to a cave, where he remained in prayer. People often turned to Saint Blaise for healing miracles.
In 316, the governor of Cappadocia and of Lesser Armenia, Agricola, arrested then-bishop Blaise for being a Christian. On their way to the jail, a woman set her only son, who was choking to death on a fish bone, at his feet.
Blaise cured the child, and though Agricola was amazed, he could not get Blaise to renounce his faith. Therefore, Agricola beat Blaise with a stick and tore at his flesh with iron combs before beheading him. St. Blaise is the patron saint of throat illnesses, animals, wool combers, and wool trading. He died in the year 316 AD.
SAINT VALENTINE
Saint Valentine, officially known as Saint Valentine of Rome, is a third-century Roman saint widely celebrated on February 14 and commonly associated with “courtly love.”
Although not much of St. Valentine’s life is reliably known, and whether or not the stories involve two different saints by the same name is also not officially decided, it is highly agreed that St. Valentine was martyred and then buried on the Via Flaminia to the north of Rome.
In 1969, the Roman Catholic Church removed St. Valentine from the General Roman Calendar, because so little is known about him. However, the church still recognizes him as a saint, listing him in the February 14 spot of Roman Martyrology.
The legends attributed to the mysterious saint are as inconsistent as the actual identification of the man.
One common story about St. Valentine is that at one point in his life, as the former Bishop of Terni, Narnia, and Amelia, he was on house arrest with Judge Asterius. While discussing religion and faith with the Judge, Valentine pledged the validity of Jesus. The judge immediately put Valentine and his faith to the test.
SAINT BLAISE AND SAINT VALENTINE – BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cronin, Blaise. The Book of Blaise: A Saint in his Name. Self-Published 2021.
Gabriel, Cole M. The Story of Saint Blaise. Self-Published: 2024.
Gauthier, Andrew. Saint Valentine: The Story of St. Valentine Patron Saint of Love. Self-Published 2024.
Pickfor, Ben. The Life of St. Blaise. Self-Published: 2023.
Roberts, Nichola. The Story of Valentine: History of God’s Brave Loving Servant, Patron Saint of Love and Relationships. Self-Published 2024
ARCHIVAL/SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Tennyson, Alfred Barron. The Poetical Works of Alfred Tennyson. Chicago, IL: National Library Association. 1891
An Ignatian Path to Hope: 14 Practical Guidelines Retreat
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, join us for a special retreat with
Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV
Ignatian Discernment Institute
An Ignatian Path to Hope: 14 Practical Guidelines
All of us experience ups and downs in our daily spiritual life: times when God feels close and we have spiritual energy, and times when that energy wanes, and we struggle with discouragement. In fourteen practical guidelines (“rules”), St. Ignatius of Loyola offers invaluable aid toward understanding this experience, finding freedom from discouragement, and living our daily lives with joy.
On Saturday, March 15
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Holy Apostles College & Seminary
33 Prospect Hill Road, Cromwell, CT
Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV, Graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia in 1987. He earned a Ph.D from the University of North Carolina in 1991. He made his perpetual profession of vows in 1999 at the Oblates of the Virgin Mary in Boston and was ordained a priest in 2000.
He was an Associate Pastor at St. Andrew’s Parish in Avenel, NJ, is certified in spiritual direction, was a missionary in the Philippines, served as a member of the faculty at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, MA, and Director of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice, FL. In December 2024 he was assigned to Denver, CO to cofound the fledgling Ignatian Discernment Institute with Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV.
Registration & Contact Information
Cost: $35.00 includes lunch
Registration Form (Click to open)
Retreat Invitation (Click to Download)
Please call Suzanne Gendron at 860-632-3067 or by email at [email protected] for more information.
The Most Holy Cloth The Shroud of Turin Retreat
Join Us As We Explore
The Most Holy Cloth – The Shroud of Turin
It is said to have been brought from the Mideast to Europe by the Knights Templar, and it is purportedly the most studied artifact in history. But the greatest claim made for this cloth is that it is the actual burial cloth of Christ. What is it, where did it come from, can it really be the burial cloth of Christ – wasn’t it proven a fake?
Come hear Deacon Ben LoCasto answer these questions in a one-hour discussion.
Deacon LoCasto is a Permanent Deacon of the Diocese of Norwich, serving the Parish of the Good Shepherd. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a certified Spiritual Director, as well as the Northeast Commander of the Templars Today.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm St. Peter’s Hall 33 Prospect Hill Road, Cromwell, CT
Event will be live streamed at holyapostles.edu/live/
Followed by a complimentary dessert reception at St. Peter’s Hall
Registration & Contact Information
Cost: No Charge Registration Form (Click to open) Shroud Retreat Invitation (Click to Download)
Please call Suzanne Gendron at 860-632-3067 or by email at [email protected] for more information.
Holy Apostles College and Seminary Proudly Joins the March for Life in Washington, D.C.
“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!
In Memoriam
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.
Deacon William Murphy, 82, died on June 12, 2024. Deacon Bill was an alumnus who was ordained a Roman Catholic deacon in 1981. A lifelong Danbury resident, he was assigned to St. Gregory the Great parish in Danbury, CT, where he served for 43 years. A Marine Corp veteran, Deacon Bill served as the chaplain of the Catholic War Veteran’s Post, as well as the Veteran’s Council. He was also chaplain to the Danbury Police and Volunteer Fire Departments. Those who know him described him as a man of faith who was humble, soft-spoken, kind, and a gentleman always willing to help. He is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Pat, as well as his son, William, and daughter, Patricia.
Rev. Chester R. Mrowka, CM, 97, an alumnus who received his MDiv from Holy Apostles in 1981, died on July 5, 2024, at the DePaul Residence of the Vincentian Community in Manchester, Connecticut. Fr. Mrowka served in the Navy in WWII, and following it prepared for the priesthood. His vocation brought him to serve as pastor in parishes in Brooklyn, New York; Ansonia, Connecticut; and Concord, New Hampshire. He also taught for seventeen years in St. John Kanty Preparatory School in Erie, Pennsylvania, and later returned as the Rector, after a brief time studying in Rome. He served as Provincial of the New England Vincentian Community, followed by a position as the Provincial Treasurer. While residing at the DePaul Residence of the Vincentian Community, he regularly helped the nearby Assumption Parish for nearly 15 years, until health conditions required him to retire. This year, Fr. Chester celebrated his 65th year as a priest.
Rev. Frank Joseph Bolling, died Jan. 1, 2025, at the age of 94. He celebrated 20 years of priesthood last spring, after being ordained on May 29, 2004, at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile, AL. Fr. Bolling entered St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore in 1950 with the intention of discerning a vocation to the priesthood. However, his father’s death in 1954 led him to withdraw from seminary studies to support his mother and sister. He joined the U.S. Navy Reserves and worked as a tax officer supervisor for the City of Mobile for 25 years. In 2002, after retirement from his civil profession, Fr. Bolling was accepted as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Mobile and resumed discernment toward the priesthood, earning his Certificate in Theology from Holy Apostles College & Seminary. He was assigned as chaplain to the Sacred Heart Residence of the Little Sisters of the Poor and later filled in for pastors by offering Masses and ministry at parishes throughout the archdiocese.
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]