On Monday, October 14, 2024, Holy Apostles College & Seminary had the pleasure of hosting a friendly soccer match against Saint John Seminary (Boston) at the HACS soccer field. Held on the Columbus Day holiday, the game provided a wonderful opportunity to foster friendship and build fraternity among seminarians from both Seminary.

This event served as a moment for everyone to come together in support and encouragement of one another on their vocational journeys. The enthusiasm was palpable as priests, sisters, and seminarians cheered on the teams, creating a lively and memorable atmosphere for all involved. We are grateful for the chance to strengthen our bonds and celebrate our shared mission through sports.

Article and photos by Seminarian Joseph Huan Tran

This month, Holy Apostles College & Seminary seminarians, religious sisters, faculty, and students enjoyed a fantastic hike at Hubbard Park in Meriden, CT. The fall scenery of the Northeast was truly breathtaking, as the once-green trees had transformed into stunning shades of yellow, orange, and red, painting a vivid picture along the paths. Surrounded by this beautiful landscape under a clear blue sky and the crisp autumn air, they experienced a peaceful and refreshing sense of renewal.

Hiking is not just about physical exercise; it holds a deeper meaning for our community. This outing allowed them to step away from their daily stresses, immerse themselves in nature, and, more importantly, strengthen their bonds as brothers and sisters. The laughter they shared, the stories exchanged along the way, and the simple joy of overcoming challenging parts of the trail together created unforgettable memories.

This experience not only allowed them to connect with the beauty of nature but also fostered a spirit of unity and support among our community. They returned to campus with not just a sense of accomplishment from the hike, but also with deeper friendships and a renewed appreciation for our community at Holy Apostles College & Seminary.

Article and photos by Seminarian Joseph Huan Tran

Fr. Dermot Roache S.M.A. reminded attendees to rely on God’s Mercy. Photos by Martin O’Brien.

Over 75 attendees joined a special Healing Retreat held on the Holy Apostles campus on Saturday, October 5. The retreat was led by Fr. Dermot Roache S.M.A. and Kathleen McCarthy. Fr. Roache and Kathleen often give retreats together at places such as the Malvern Retreat Center in Pennsylvania, so having them at Holy Apostles was a gift.

The day began with the Holy Mass in the chapel celebrated by Fr. Roache. This was followed by two powerful morning talks and personal testimonies. The title of the retreat “Your Mother is Calling” was chosen to emphasize the importance of the Blessed Mother’s intercession in our lives and in our healing journey.

Kathleen McCarthy shared her personal journey of healing.

Kathleen, a world-renowned Catholic evangelist, has led a healing apostolate for over four decades. She is the president of In His Sign Catholic Radio Network. Kathleen, who is blessed with a large family, shared in her morning talk about the spiritual path that brought her back to the Catholic Church and how the realization of the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist impacted that journey.

Fr. Roache, who had just returned from a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, shared about his work as a missionary priest in Africa. He is currently the vice-provincial of the American Province of the S.M.A. Fathers located in Tenafly, New Jersey. Fr. Roache emphasized the importance of trust in God’s mercy, something he said that Adam and Eve failed to do, but that we are all called to trust in God’s Divine Mercy no matter how unworthy we feel. Fr. Roache also spoke about how easy it is to get drawn into the darkness and how critical to hold firmly to the light and follow the truth.

Eucharistic Healing in Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Chapel

The afternoon session continued with adoration, confession and a spirit-filled Eucharistic Healing service with prophetic words from Kathleen and accompanied by the Holy Apostles’ music ministry. It was a beautiful day of spiritual renewal and healing!

Kathleen’s current books are titled In The Silence of My Heart (Volumes 1-10). These writings that have received the Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat of the Catholic Church can be purchased at her website. Fr. Roache also recently published a wonderful book of Marian reflections entitled, I am the Virgin Mother of God and Your Mother Too available on Amazon.

The Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference (CCMC) is a yearly event that brings Catholic men from all over the state together to grow in faith and brotherhood and experience spiritual renewal. It also helps men learn about their vocations, giving Religious Orders and Seminaries a chance to promote vocations.

This year (2024), the Conference takes place on September 21 and has approximately 500 attendees. At the conference, men can reflect on their spiritual lives, hear inspiring talks from well-known Catholic speakers (Fr. Wade L. J. Menezes, CPM, Steve Ray, Peter Herbeck, and Kevin Wells), participate in the Sacraments, and spend time with others. The talks often focus on living a true Catholic life, improving prayer, and dealing with modern challenges. This day includes honoring the relics of Saints, Eucharistic Adoration, and Confession and ends with a Solemn Mass.

In his homily today, Archbishop Coney emphasized that true greatness in the Kingdom of God comes from serving others, not seeking personal gain. He noted that in Mark’s gospel, only demons initially recognize Jesus as the Son of God, with the centurion’s confession at the cross being the first human acknowledgment. The Most Rev. Coney concludes his homily by calling all Christians to live a life of faith through actions, not just words, and to spread the good news of Jesus.

The event is supported by the three dioceses in Connecticut: the Archdiocese of Hartford, the Diocese of Bridgeport, and the Diocese of Norwich. These dioceses work together to make the conference successful, helping Catholic men from all parts of the state unite in faith and unity.

At this event, Holy Apostles College & Seminary also had a booth showcasing the college and seminary, where attendees could learn more about the academic programs and training opportunities available. In addition, MSA’s community had a booth promoting vocations and the religious community, providing a chance for participants to explore paths of service within the Church. Father Martin Roney MSA, Chancellor of Holy Apostles, attended the event along with Father Lich MSA and several seminarians, all eager to share their vocation journeys and encourage others to be open to God’s call.

Article by: Joseph Huan Tran, Seminarian of Holy Apostles College and SeminaryThe Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell

On Sunday, September 22, 2024, Holy Apostles College & Seminary held its annual Eucharistic Procession, a beautiful expression of faith and devotion.

Very Rev. Peter S. Kucer, MSA, our President-Rector, presided over the ceremony. The procession began in the Queen of Apostles Chapel, where the Blessed Sacrament was placed in a monstrance. We walked around the campus with reverence, pausing at various stations to bless our buildings, creating a tangible sense of God’s presence among us. The procession culminated back at the Chapel with a solemn Blessing, following the celebration of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

This sacred event was a powerful reminder of the Eucharistic Jesus, who nourishes and strengthens us. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35 RSVCE). May His presence continually bless each Holy Apostles College & Seminary member as we embark on this new academic year!