Holy Apostles College & Seminary

Cromwell, Connecticut
www.holyapostles.edu

Overview
Ranney Hall, the oldest house in the small
central Connecticut town of Cromwell, has
been a focal point of service to the commu-
nity for one and one-quarter centuries. In
various forms, this building and subsequent
additions have housed a medical facility, a
Catholic seminary and then a Catholic college
and seminary.
Holy Apostles Seminary began as a mi-
nor seminary in 1957, founded by Father Eu-
sebe Menard, O.F.M. It was originally oper-
ated by the Society of the Missionaries of the quick facts
Holy Apostles, an order of priests also found- Founded: 1972
ed by Father Menard. An undergraduate col- Type of institution: Very small liberal
lege was opened for lay students in 1972, and arts college
the seminary became a major seminary in Setting: Suburban
1978. Undergraduate enrollment: 28 full-time and
Later, graduate, distance-learning and 13 part-time lay students (2008–09
non-degree graduate programs were added. academic year)
Today, Holy Apostles College & Seminary is Total undergraduate cost: $9,360 (tuition only
for 2009–10)
a unique, small-scale Catholic college with
Undergraduate majors: Four
modest university components. It also is one
that is firmly rooted in the Church.
Five Key Points
The seminary has long had strong his-
toric ties with the Bishop of the Diocese of 1. Seminary enhances strong Catholic
Norwich, who still serves as chancellor of identity.
the expanded institution. And for more than 2. Connecticut’s three bishops sit on the
two decades, he as well as the Archbishop of board of trustees.
Hartford and the Bishop of Bridgeport have 3. A 90-credit, philosophy-based core
served on the board of trustees. curriculum.
As one staff member told us, “This ex- 4. Lay students benefit from studying
pansion of the board gave the college and alongside seminarians.
seminary the benefit of episcopal oversight, 5. Very affordable, but no living on
along with ecclesial and professional exper- campus.
tise.”

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Holy Apostles College & Seminary
Enrollment has been growing in recent
years and reached 276 in the fall 2008 semes-
ter, including 65 seminarians, 41 undergradu-
ates and 170 graduate students. Twenty-three
dioceses as well as six religious communities
are represented.
But it was not until about six years ago,
according to Father Douglas Mosey, C.S.B.,
the president-rector, that new attention was
directed to the undergraduate lay program.
He said, “We realize the desire and need for
truly Catholic colleges. We have right here
in our immediate area a number of Catholic
high schools, and we are recruiting there for
students and families who want a faithful
Catholic education.”
The college remains a commuter school—
there are no residence halls for lay students
and no plans to build any. Father Mosey add-
ed, “There also are a number of homeschool-
ing families who might want their sons and
daughters to receive higher learning and per-
haps continue living at home.”
The recruitment of undergraduate stu-
dents is a critical element in the college’s long-
range plan.
The opportunity to study in a Catholic
environment with seminarians is compelling
to these students as is the strong core curricu-
lum, which covers 90 credits or about three-
fourths of the graduation requirement.
Also attractive is its affordability. Tuition
for the 2009–10 academic year was $9,360, less
than a third of the average tuition for private
institutions in Connecticut. Financial aid is
available if needed, including federal loans.
According to the college’s former direc-
tor of student recruitment, “Holy Apostles
is the lowest-priced private college in New
England, a fact that I think many parents and
students would want to know because, at that
cost, it is possible to graduate without incur-
ring college-loan debt.”
Yet another appealing aspect of Holy
Apostles is the opportunity to study at an
152
From the
Financial Aid Office
“Students enrolled at least part-time (six
credits) per semester in undergraduate
programs are eligible to apply for Federal
Pell Grants and Federal Stafford Loans.
All students wishing to be considered
for Federal title IV Financial Aid must fill
out the Free Application for Federal Stu-
dent Aid (FAFSA) and the Holy Apostles
Financial Aid Application. The FAFSA is
available online at the Federal Financial
Aid Webpage. Students are urged to com-
plete their FAFSA at least 60 days before
the start of coursework.
“When all forms and related documents
are in the student’s file, the information
will be reviewed, and the student will
be notified of the decision via an award
letter. All financial aid is based on need
with the exception of the Federal Unsub-
sidized Stafford Loan and the Federal
PLUS/GradPLUS.
“If you have questions regarding Finan-
cial Aid, please contact Henry Miller,
Financial Aid Director or call 860-632-
3020.”
historic, picturesque and peaceful campus.
Its oldest building was erected in 1751. There
are so many trees that students and visitors
enjoy a guided trail tour known as the Tree
Walk. Many of these trees were planted by
representatives of the firm of the noted 19th-
century landscape architect Frederick Law
Olmstead, who was a native of nearby Hart-
ford.
Students have the option to major in four
areas: philosophy, theology, English in the
humanities and history in the social sciences.
An associate of arts degree in theology also is
The Newman Guide
 Holy Apostles College & Seminary

available. The college is accredited by its re- ly Catholic spirit.”

gional agency, the New England Association All interviewees emphasized the col-
of Schools and Colleges. lege’s Catholic identity with enthusiasm. One
philosophy professor, for example, said, “I
have taught in a number of colleges over the
Governance years, and Holy Apostles College by far has
the best atmosphere for orthodox teaching,
In addition to the three Connecticut bish-
camaraderie and friendship. These are rein-
ops, the Holy Apostles board of trustees in-
forced with an integrated liberal arts educa-
cludes five priests of the Missionaries of the
tion. It has the complete package.”
Holy Apostles and nine lay members. One of
And a full-time student told us, “The
the lay members is Dr. Marie Hilliard, R.N.,
college has the strongest Catholic identity
former executive director of the Connecticut
I’ve ever seen. When you’re hanging out with
Catholic Conference and currently director of
seminarians in class and on campus all day,
bioethics and pub-
you can’t get much
lic policy at The
more Catholic iden-
National Catholic
tity than that.”
Bioethics Center.
One senior
The Missionaries
administrator said
of the Holy Apos-
that there is “a
tles turned over the
constant stream
seminary and col-
of visitors to the
lege to the board of
campus during
trustees in 1984.
the academic year,
Father Mosey,
including bishops,
who holds a Ph.D.,
deacons and mem-
is the seventh pres-
bers of various re-
ident of the college
ligious communi-
and seminary. He
ties. These invited
is in his 14th year
guests come to
as president. He
address the study
also serves as di-
body on a wide range of topics, including the
rector of the permanent diaconate formation
Catholic faith, moral issues and bioethics.”
program for the Diocese of Norwich.
Among recent speakers are Father Bene-
All presidents of Holy Apostles have
dict Groeschel, C.F.R., and Father Frank Pa-
been priests.
vone, national director of Priests for Life. The
commencement speakers for 2008 and 2009,
Public Identity respectively, were Cardinal Newman Society
President Patrick Reilly and Bishop Michael
Holy Apostles is committed to cultivating or- Cote of Norwich.
dained, consecrated and lay Catholic leaders Bishop Cote, who is also chancellor of
for evangelization. One of the college’s five Holy Apostles, is very supportive of the in-
goals—all related to faith—is: “To animate the stitution. He has said, “In every regard Holy
entire college and seminary experience in a Apostles is a center of influence for living in
recognizable, distinctive, and unambiguous- the true Catholic spirit. The devotion to the

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Holy Apostles College & Seminary

Eucharist, love for the Church, and respect
for human life grow in this spiritual environ-
ment and prepare all studying at the college
and seminary to go forth and evangelize.”
Academics
The college emphasizes that the curriculum
is especially philosophy-based and in the
Catholic liberal arts tradition. The 90-credit
core includes six Catholic theology courses,
which range from Catechism I and II to Lit-
urgy. There also are eight specific philosophy
courses, including Philosophy of God. The
philosophy requirement is only two cours-
es short of a major. One student said, “The
strength of [the college] is in the theology and
philosophy courses.”
Other required courses include two in
Latin and work in the traditional liberal arts
disciplines, especially in literature and his-
tory (together accounting for 10 courses). The

Message from the President

Dear Parents and Prospective Students:

Thank you for your interest in Holy Apostles College & Seminary.
Our mission is to cultivate lay, consecrated and ordained Catholic lead-
ers for the purpose of evangelization.

Towards this end, we offer a philosophically-based, Catholic, liberal arts undergraduate

degree program to prepare students for what Pope Paul VI called “the greatest drama of our
time”—i.e., the split between the Gospel and culture. A degree from Holy Apostles prepares
students to be active participants in the culture of life and to succeed in their chosen secular
professions.

Holy Apostles is one of the few Catholic colleges in America where lay students, religious
and seminarians attend many of the same classes together, worship together and grow intellec-
tually and spiritually together. We are also one of a few Catholic colleges where all members of
the faculty must be approved by the bishop in order to ensure fidelity to the magisterium.

Our Catholic identity is very strong and we are committed to providing an affordable edu-
cation to educate young men and women while forming moral and ethical leaders who know
and love God.

I invite you to visit or call to learn more about the exciting opportunities we offer. You are
always welcome.

Yours in Christ,

The Very Reverend Douglas L. Mosey

154 The Newman Guide


core curriculum helps satisfy the college’s ob-
jective: “To prepare college seminarians for
the study of theology and to prepare lay stu-
dents for graduate study and most especially
for life.”
Accordingly to Father Mosey, the college
developed its curriculum, with an emphasis
on philosophical foundations, after studying
a 1961 college catalogue that described Ford-
ham University’s Jesuit approach to the cur-
riculum. Fordham has long since abandoned
it.
Some of the courses are taught in an
interdisciplinary manner, which fits well at
a school of such small size. One example of
an interdisciplinary, team-taught course is
one offered on the development of the social
sciences by Dr. Angelyn Arden, an associ-
ate professor of humanities. She is a licensed
clinical psychologist who previously taught
in the Great Books program at the University
of Dallas.
Recently added interdisciplinary elec-
tives include religion and law, Catholic ap-
proaches to counseling and bioethics.
Faculty members teaching philosophy
and theology make
a profession of faith
and also promise
obedience to the
bishop and the
Magisterium. This
is done annually
when Bishop Cote
comes to campus to
celebrate the Mass
of the Holy Spirit
at the beginning of
the academic year.
All members of the
academic and for-
mational faculty of
the seminary are
approved by the bishop on the recommenda-
tion of the rector of the seminary.
The Newman Guide
Holy Apostles College & Seminary
One professor praised the scholarship
at the college, but said, “Everything is sub-
ordinated to spiritual formation. You need
a school where you can maintain your faith
and receive the intellectual component as
well, and Holy Apostles College does this.”
Students especially praised two profes-
sors: Monsignor James Turro, Ph.D., who
teaches courses on Sacred Scripture, Old and
New Testaments; and Sister Mary Ann Linder,
F.S.E., an associate professor of catechetics,
who teaches courses in humanities.
A number of professors participate in a
campus faculty seminar series on the Catho-
lic intellectual tradition. This was begun sev-
eral years ago as a follow-up activity to the
Fides et Ratio seminar, a national program of
faculty development. According to Dr. Arden,
one of the seminar participants, “It has been
a great value to have faculty together to talk
about Catholic thought and great books; it im-
pacts the Catholicity of every course.”
The college has attracted a wide range of
students, from traditional recent high school
graduates to senior citizens. Some come for
two years to get the personal formation, we
are told, and then
move on. Some
opt to take the
two-year associ-
ate of arts degree
and return later to
Holy Apostles or
elsewhere to com-
plete a bachelor’s
degree.
There are
some undergradu-
ate seminarians
who take courses
with lay college
students. The lay
students we spoke
to considered this to be an important ben-
efit. A college administrator said, “Because
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Holy Apostles College & Seminary

seminarians and lay students study, pray and with the work of a choir director. Masses at-
interact in class, they are able to share their tract some people from the community, and
unique perspectives and thus deepen each there are plans to begin construction on a
other’s overall learning experience.” new chapel in 2009 that will double the cur-
The college also has hosted the Pope rent capacity.
John Paul II Bio- There is a holy
ethics Center for hour with exposi-
the past 25 years. tion of the Blessed
The center spon- Sacrament and an
sors lectures and international Ro-
publications. The sary every Wednes-
center will be en- day. Confessions are
hanced in the fall available. Weekly
2009 when Father Lenten conferenc-
Tad Pacholczyk, es were offered in
Ph.D., director of 2009.
education for The One profes-
National Catholic sor said, “It is not
Bioethics Center unusual to see lay
and an expert on students at the cha-
embryonic stem pel or meeting else-
cell research, joins where to say the
it as an adjunct Rosary together.
professor. The two centers will jointly pro- Catholic spiritual life is a major focus at Holy
vide a dual certification/degree program in Apostles College.”
Catholic bioethics. Lay students are clearly influenced by
Another new initiative starting in the the presence of the seminarians. Sean Forrest,
2009-2010 academic year is TAKE CREDIT!, an a student at Holy Apostles as well as a Catho-
opportunity for high school students to take lic contemporary musician, said, “We have
a college course for credit at Holy Apostles. the chance to see the seminarians’ strong de-
Courses will cover topics of interest to high sire to study and to serve others. Having this
school students and be taught with fidelity to exposure to the seminarians makes me love
Church teachings. the priesthood even more when I see their
commitment.”
Lay students and seminarians work to-
Spiritual Life gether on promoting pro-life activities, which
includes going to an abortion clinic in near-
Two early morning Masses are held daily at
by Hartford on Saturdays and participating
the 120-seat Queen of Holy Apostles Chapel.
in the annual March for Life in Washington,
Students are welcome, but due to the early
D.C. There is a tomb on campus marking the
hour at the commuter school (7:15 a.m. and 9
grave of an unborn child, a victim of an abor-
a.m.), we are told that not many students at-
tion.
tend; most of the attendees are seminarians.
Holy Apostles, along with the Cromwell
More students attend 5 p.m. Evening Prayer.
Christian Clergy Association, sponsors the
Masses are reported to be “very solemn
Cromwell Ecumenical Lay Theology School
and absolutely beautiful.” Music is provided

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 Holy Apostles College & Seminary

(CELTS), which offers informal courses. This perspective resonated with the
Students have the option of participating mother of a daughter who is a current student.
in Mass and other spiritual activities, includ- She said, “The atmosphere on campus is com-
ing perpetual adoration, at St. John Church in fortable and peaceful. Everyone—whether
Cromwell. The parish is staffed by Coventual they know you or not—is kind and thought-
Franciscan Friars. ful. This is truly a Catholic institution that is
thriving in spite of its size.”
Student Activities
Residential Life
Not surprising for a small, all-commuter col-
lege, there are few student activities. There There are no residential facilities for lay stu-
is one organized club, the student-run Holy dents. Some share local apartments, but most
Apostles Life League, which coordinates pro- commute from their homes. Here, too, the
life activities. These include weekly praying college views its lack of facilities as a posi-
at a nearby abortion facility which is followed tive point, citing how residential life can eas-
by a Mass on campus. ily distract students from their studies. Resi-
Among other pro-life activities are dential life, they also note, is costly for the
participation in college—and the
the annual March st udent—because
for Life in Wash- it requires health
ington, D.C., and services, resident
the 40 Days for advisors, campus
Life initiative in social activities and
the Hartford and personnel to super-
Norwich dioceses. vise them, and a
The Life League security force.
also maintains a Further, they
pro-life section in say, commuter
the college library. students living at
Many un- home “can bring
dergraduate stu- the Truth you have
dents are involved learned back to
in campus liturgi- your community
cal life and spiri- and start sharing it
tual activities. Social events are informal and and living it immediately.”
student-initiated, and include cookouts, going To help students looking for local hous-
to movies or playing soccer. ing, the college has been developing a data
The campus is quiet, but the college sees base of “host families” from local parishes for
this as a plus. The campus website comments: possible residential accommodations.
“Students treasure the abundant peace and While students may come from several
extraordinary beauty of Holy Apostles’ hill- nearby communities, health services are avail-
side campus above the Connecticut River be- able at two hospitals, Middlesex Hospital and
cause moments of quiet and beauty are often Connecticut Valley Hospital, each located five
times when you learn the most about God minutes away in Middletown.
and yourself.”

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Holy Apostles College & Seminary

The Community The Bottom Line

Cromwell is a town of 13,500 people One representative of Holy Apostles College
which is 15 minutes from the state capital of said they like to promote the institution as
Hartford and about one-half-hour from New being “really Catholic, really close and really
Haven. The quiet town also is a safe one, with affordable.” Add to that, “really supportive of
virtually no violent crime and a crime rate the Catholic intellectual tradition,” and you
only about 40 percent of the national crime have a rather impressive mix.
index. The college, long dedicated to training
Hartford, a long-time center of the in- seminarians, wants to expand its very small
surance industry, lay presence. It
has a population does not have
of 125,000. It has a residential facili-
number of attrac- ties, and social ac-
tions including the tivities on campus
Mark Twain House are limited. But
and the Hartford the college sees
Civic Center, which all these as ma-
hosts cultural and jor selling points
sports events. in presenting an
The north- environment that
south Interstate 91 sticks to the es-
serves Cromwell, s e n t i a l s —f a i t h
while the east-west formation and lib-
Interstate 84 and eral arts education
Interstate 91 meet without frills.
in downtown Hartford. Amtrak serves Hart- At this point, the college is unlikely
ford, and the city’s Bradley International Air- to draw many students from around the
port provides non-stop service to several ma- country. It is, however, an attractive option
jor cities, including Los Angeles, on national for students living in central Connecticut and
carriers. perhaps the rest of the state as well. If fidel-
ity to mission is any indicator, Holy Apostles
College & Seminary has a bright future.

158 The Newman Guide