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
Best Master’s in Ministry – 2021
Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) has been selected by Intelligent.com as one of the Best Master’s in Ministry Degree Programs for 2021.
Our award-winning MAPS program continues to make huge impacts throughout the world. Available exclusively online, the MAPS program puts ministry education and development readily at the fingertips of anyone – anywhere. Our exceptionally affordable tuition makes it possible to study and graduate without taking on debt. Graduates and students in the MAPS program are readily living out the missions of Holy Apostles – Evangelization!
According to Intelligent.com, “The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third-party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 160 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.” PRWeb Press Release
Learn more about our amazing MAPS program offering.
Holy Apostles Awarded two new rankings!
Best 15 Online Philosophy Degree Programs in 2021
The Best Value Schools has ranked Holy Apostles College & Seminary as one of the Best 15 Online Philosophy Degree Programs in 2021. In fact, Holy Apostles College & Seminary is the ONLY Catholic institution listed.
“Based in Cromwell, Connecticut, Holy Apostles College and Seminary can deliver the challenging (and affordable) philosophy degree that you want! Grapple with the subjects of Logic, Epistemology, and Metaphysics. An incredible, high-value program that challenges your mind!”
Learn more about our Philosophy programs here: https://holyapostles.edu/academics/
Top 20 Accredited Colleges Of Religion
College Cliffs has ranked Holy Apostles College & Seminary as one of the Top 20 Accredited Colleges of Religion.
“Holy Apostles College and Seminary (which also offers an on-campus alternative) offers a “faithfully Catholic, 100% online and on-campus liberal arts degree for undergraduate students”, including graduate programs that can be taken via distance learning modalities. They also offer a fast-track program that allows students to complete their degrees in less than three years. It is also known as the most affordable Cardinal Newman Society Recommended College, so if you’re also working towards a vocation, this will put you at an advantage.”
Learn more about our Theology and Pastoral Studies programs here: https://holyapostles.edu/academics/
Internships at WCAT Radio
Dr. Chiara Simeone-DiFrancesco, Holy Apostles alumna, is looking for some interns to work with her WCAT Radio Special Ministries Division. This division works to train Christian therapists in integrating their faith with their psychotherapy. We provide philosophy, logic and scriptural formation in order to help them achieve a rich integration that builds their interventions on the sound foundation of Jesus & His teachings/Word.
The Special Ministries Division also has a non-profit mission of Evangelization, formation and ongoing catechesis through the biblical Books of John. This fulfills the mission of the late Archbishop Tomas Clavel who desired a school for Domestic Evangelization that would be established using the Biblical books of John, and commissioned Romuald Simeone on their implementation. Little did the Archbishop foresee that they would become not only a set of published volumes (3 volumes, 4 books), but over 125 videos and WCAT radio programs. One of WCAT’s Special ministries is to take his vision of 35 years in the developing and turn it into a school of learning that is unlimited geographically by virtue of radio and video.
Specifically, we are looking for interns in the following areas:
1) Social Media & Marketing; 2) Grant research and development. 3) Media back-end development: WordPress, Mail Chimp, Video Serializations, etc.
We are happy to help you fulfill practicum requirements for your studies that prohibit competing sources of revenue for your current studies.
If you are interested in this unpaid internship, please contact [email protected]
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.
May We Prepare Our Hearts
Dear Friends of Holy Apostles College & Seminary,
Even as we faced Coronavirus this year, even as we missed out on family celebrations or birthdays or even funerals, we know we are never alone.
Christmas brings God forever near to us. Born a vulnerable infant, wrapped in “swaddling clothes,” resting in a manger, soothed by the clucking of hens, braying of donkeys, and lowing of cattle. And then the majestic rejoicing of Angel Choirs! We, too, are united in the great chorus, Alleluia!
I thank you for remaining ever near to us who minister, teach and study at Holy Apostles College and Seminary. Your prayers have guided our priests and professors, our seminarians, theology students, our young religious sisters in studies. Your generosity holds open these doors to a new generation of leaders in the Catholic Church we cherish.
In your name, these young men and women, as future priests, religious sisters, and lay leaders, will be sent forth to joyfully preach the Gospel to the whole creation and to baptize in the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
They, too, aspire and strive to be Missionary Disciples of Jesus Christ, as our religious community, the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles, who founded, own, and operate Holy Apostle College and Seminary.
Will you continue your generous and essential partnership with us? Will you please renew your support for our 27 on-campus seminarians, 15 young priests, and 49 religious sisters whose path to ministry and service in the Church is made possible through scholarships you help provide?
In their ongoing gratitude, they join our religious community and the staff of Holy Apostles College and Seminary, in offering you a Christmas Octave of Masses and prayers celebrated in our Queen of Apostles Chapel.
Please complete the intentions form located here as soon as possible with your prayers and the names of your loved ones so we can remember your special intentions in these special Octave Masses. We ask you to remember in your prayers these courageous young Catholic men and women who long to bear Christ Jesus to the world. I ask you to give generously to help them reach their inspired goal and vocation.
In partnership with Holy Apostles College and Seminary, you are providing them the highest quality Catholic education, rich spiritual formation, and in-depth ministry experience to animate and enrich their vocations of service to God’s people.
Their vocations and their lives of service will be their gift of lasting gratitude to you for your goodness and generosity. In their years of need, you hold out a hand of friendship and a foundation of support. They will never forget the gift you are giving them as they go forth as priests, religious sisters, and lay leaders.
May you and your family be protected under the mantle of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Christ Child, Queen of Apostles, and Mother of us all.
Wishing you a Merry and Blessed, Holy and Hopeful Christmas, I remain ~
Very Rev. Peter S. Kucer, M.S.A.
President and Rector
Make a tax-deductible year-end gift Online or by Mail.
- Give Online on or before December 31st
- Send a check postmarked December 31st to Holy Apostles College & Seminary, 33 Prospect Hill Road, Cromwell, CT 06416
Thank you for sharing in the life of the Holy Apostles College & Seminary community and making 2020 a remarkable year.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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]