We’re honored to share that Four County Catholic, produced by the Archdiocese of Hartford, recently spotlighted �鶹���� College & Seminary as a “hidden gem in Cromwell,” celebrating our unique mission and ever-growing impact.

The article praises �鶹���� for pioneering faithful, affordable, and fully online Catholic education, offering formation in theology, philosophy, sacred art, and more. With over 1,000 students and our largest enrollment in history last fall, we continue to be a beacon of truth, flexibility, and fidelity to the Church.

Read the Four County Catholic article by visiting A Hidden Gem with a Global Impact

Visit to read the full August edition of the magazine.

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On March 25, �鶹���� was blessed to have alumnus Deacon Benedict LoCasto ’16 present a comprehensive and compelling talk on the Shroud of Turin.

Deacon Ben gave an historical account of the Shroud of Turin that was brought from the Mideast to Europe by the Knights Templar. 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.

To learn more, please see highlights of Deacon LoCasto’s fascinating talk here.

Deacon LoCasto is a Permanent Deacon of the Diocese of Norwich, CT, and serves at the parish of the Good Shepherd in CT. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, certified Spiritual Director, as well as the Northeast Commander of the Templars Today. He also serves as the Marketing and Production Manager for the Four County Catholic, a publication of the Diocese of Norwich.

Deacon Ben completed his diaconate formation in 2016 at �鶹���� College & Seminary.

(Videography by Judah Parkyn)

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The festivities featured special guest, , 6th Archbishop of Hartford, and keynote speaker , who delivered the commencement address the next day at the �鶹����’ 67th Commencement Ceremony.

From left to right, first row: Archbishop Coyne, Jim Wahlberg, Peter Callan, Very Rev. Peter Kucer. Second row: Brother Ron Aucoin, Very Rev. Martin Rooney, Bishop Betancourt, and John Connelly. | Photos by Phil Farnsworth

The evening began on a high note with the angelic voices of the Cathedral Schola Cantorum from the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford. The choral group performed an impressive medley of both spiritual and popular tunes.

Archbishop Coyne and Jim Wahlberg shared stories of their years in Boston, setting the tone for an engaging and spirit-filled evening. As a writer, speaker, and filmmaker, Jim Wahlberg shared a captivating testimony of his personal journey of recovery and redemption, describing how an encounter with Mother Teresa was a pivotal moment in his transformation.

Thank you to Peter Callan and for their excellent hospitality. Funds raised at the event support �鶹����’ mission of providing an affordable and quality educational experience for seminarians, religious, and lay students.

Cathedral Schola Cantorum

�鶹���� Board members, Bob O’Hara, chair and Fr. Ed Przygocki, MSA

Silent Auction: Thank you to our wonderful donors!

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The commencement exercises will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Chapel on the �鶹���� campus. Festivities will begin on Friday evening with the �鶹���� Gala held at St. Clements Castle & Marina featuring special guest The Most Reverend Christoper J. Coyne, 6th Archbishop of Hartford, and a keynote address from Mr. Wahlberg.

Jim Wahlberg is the Executive Director of the , which partners with other youth organizations to improve the lives of inner-city youth. He is also the founder and CEO of , a full-service production company that independently produces films, television, and web content. He has worked in the field of addiction recovery for more than 25 years and Wahl St. Productions is credited with the films Circle of Addiction: A Different Kind of Tears (2018), If Only (2015), and What About the Kids (2020) designed to show the harsh realities and remove the stigma of addiction.

Jim Wahlberg is also the Executive Producer of Fathom Event’s #1 documentary of the year which was released in the U.S. in 2022 and internationally in 2023. Most recently he produced, a documentary that takes viewers on a global journey to uncover the transformative power of the Eucharist. Jesus Thirsts won #1 Documentary of 2024.

Currently, he is producing , exploring the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a film that is scheduled for a limited release between April 27-29, 2025, coinciding with his April 27 canonization date.

Mr. Wahlberg is also an author, having written the autobiography titled The Big Hustle, the story of his personal journey of recovery, with Jim Caviezel writing the forward. He is a gifted speaker and truthful storyteller who impactfully recounts the challenges and triumphs in his life to bring hope to others facing difficult situations.

�鶹���� College and Seminary 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, �鶹���� 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.

Media Contact:
Ms. Beverly Tryon
Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement
�鶹���� College & Seminary
btryon@holyapostles.edu

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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
�鶹���� 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

Retreat Invitation (Click to Download)

Please call Suzanne Gendron at 860-632-3067 or by email at sgendron@holyapostles.edu for more information.

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The Most �鶹���� 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

Followed by a complimentary dessert reception at St. Peter’s Hall

Registration & Contact Information

Cost: No Charge Shroud Retreat Invitation (Click to Download)

Please call Suzanne Gendron at 860-632-3067 or by email at sgendron@holyapostles.edu for more information.

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Fr. Wade is a summa cum laude graduate of the �鶹���� 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 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.

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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 �鶹���� 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 �鶹���� was a gift.

The day began with the �鶹���� 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 �鶹���� 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 �鶹����’ 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 . 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 .

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PRESIDENT-RECTOR MASS AND BRUNCH

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2024

A Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated for you and
your intentions in appreciation for faith and friendship.

Sunday, November 17, 2024
10:30 AM
Queen of the Apostles Chapel
33 Prospect Hill Road, Cromwell, CT
Followed by a complimentary brunch at St. Peter’s Refectory

If you are able to join us, please RSVP to Cristi Shaw at
cshaw@holyapostles.edu or 860-632-3010.

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Saturday, October 26, 2024 | 5:30 pm

Reception and Dinner at the
TPC River Highlands
1 Golf Club Road, Cromwell, CT

The �鶹���� Leadership Award will be presented to Fr. Ray Introvigne ’60.

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