鶹 College and Seminary’s President-Rector, Board of Directors, and faculty invite you to join us for the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement ceremony on Saturday, April 25. We are excited that Msgr. Cuong M. Pham and Prof. Daniel O’Connor, MA ’13, will join us as our commencement speakers and honorary doctorate recipients.
Baccalaureate Mass begins at 10:30 am EDT
Sixty-Eighth Commencement begins at 1:00 pm EDT
Cromwell, Connecticut — 鶹 College and Seminary is proud to announce that Monsignor Cuong M. Pham, Diocese of Brooklyn, and Professor Daniel O’Connor, author and speaker, will deliver the commencement addresses at the 鶹’ 68th Commencement Ceremony.
The commencement exercises will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Chapel on the 鶹 campus. Festivities will begin on Thursday evening with the 鶹 Gala held at Saint Clements Castle & Marina featuring special guest the Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich, and keynote addresses.
“Commencement is about both celebrating accomplishments and preparing graduates for their future mission in life,” said Fr. Peter Kucer, President-Rector of 鶹. “In welcoming Monsignor Cuong M. Pham and Professor Daniel O’Connor, we present our graduates with two excellent witnesses—one rooted in pastoral and ecclesial service, the other in intellectual and lay apostolate—who together reflect the fullness of the Church. Their presence will challenge and encourage our students to live their vocations with fidelity, generosity, and hope.”
鶹 will bestow a Doctorate of Sacred Theology, honoris causa, upon Msgr. Cuong M. Pham, in recognition of his notable contributions to the faith. Msgr. Pham is a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn whose ministry reflects devoted service to both the Universal Church and the local Church.
From July 1, 2019, to July 1, 2021, he was assigned to the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, DC, where he served as one of the Secretaries for General Affairs, advancing the ecclesial mission of the Nunciature and assisting in matters concerning the 鶹 See’s relationship with the bishops and the Church in the United States.
From 2011 to 2019, Msgr. Pham served at the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts in Rome. The Council assists the 鶹 Father in matters of canon law. During those years, he contributed to significant legislative initiatives, promoted the study and faithful application of canon law worldwide and established the first authoritative website dedicated to Church legislation and canonical discipline.
On February 11, 2016, Pope Francis named him a Chaplain of His Holiness, an honor that enrolled him among the clergy of the Papal Household and conferred upon him the title Monsignor. Appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Astoria on July 10, 2021, the parish stands as one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse communities in the Diocese.
Born in Saigon, Vietnam, Msgr. Pham came to New York with his family in 1990. He attended St. John’s University in Queens before entering the seminary in Douglaston and later Huntington, New York. He was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on June 2, 2001. Fluent in English, Italian, Spanish, and Vietnamese, with familiarity in Latin, French, and Chinese, Msgr. Pham continues to devote himself to fostering unity among cultures, strengthening parish life and encouraging vocations.
鶹 will bestow a Doctorate of Philosophy, honoris causa, upon Professor Daniel O’Connor in recognition of his notable contributions to the faith.
Daniel O’Connor is a professor of Philosophy and Religion who teaches undergraduates at a State University of New York Community College. He is honored to have instructed thousands of students in courses on Philosophy, Existentialism, Religion, Mathematics, and Physics.
Originally an engineer for GE Global Research doing quantum beam research, he switched careers and helped to establish the John Bosco House—a transitional home for homeless young men—where he then served the residents as a live-in house father.
Professor O’Connor is an accomplished author and speaker. He is the author of several books, including Thy Will Be Done and Only Man Bears His Image. His most recent book, First Line of Defense, aims to inspire men in their Catholic faith and was co-authored with longtime EWTN host and US Grace Force host Doug Barry. It will be published by Ignatius Press in 2026. He also writes for his personal website and is a featured guest on popular Catholic podcasts.
Daniel has an undergraduate degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and obtained a Master of Arts in Theology from 鶹 College & Seminary in 2013. He has since completed several years of study towards his PhD in Philosophy. He met his wife, Regina, at 鶹, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in 2013. They live in New York with their six children, Joseph, David, Mary, Luisa, John Paul, and Patrick.
鶹 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, 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.
On Friday, September 26, the Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich, visited the 鶹 campus and presided over the Mass of the 鶹 Spirit, a beautiful tradition that marks the start of the new academic year, giving thanks for God’s gifts and asking the 鶹 Spirit for wisdom, guidance, and strength in the months ahead.
It was an opportunity for the 鶹 community to come together in prayer, gratitude, and hope as we begin the academic year.
Front: Seminarian Br. Robert Cantoni, MSA, former Board member Jean-Pierre van Rooy
Back (left to right): Board member David Masse, Wendy Masse and alumni (Deacon Dana Gary, Wayne Gignac, Deacon Ben LoCasto and Rev. Richard Breton)
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.
What is it, where did it come from, can it really be the burial cloth of Christ – wasn’t it proven a fake?
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)
Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV
Ignatian Discernment Institute
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.
Cost: $35.00 includes lunch
Retreat Invitation (Click to Download)
Please call Suzanne Gendron at 860-632-3067 or by email at [email protected] for more information.
