The Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee supports seminarian education and property purchases, and members heard speakers grateful to CFET on both accounts at the organization’s annual dinner Oct. 14 at Fox Den Country Club in Farragut.
CFET 2012 from John Deinhart on Vimeo.
Also at the dinner, the diocese’s Immaculata Award was presented to foundation member William H. Swain Sr. for his service to the Church in East Tennessee. Transitional Deacon Christopher Manning spoke of his gratitude to CFET on behalf of the diocese’s seminarians, and Father Tom Charters, GHM, gave thanks for CFET’s purchase of property in Erwin for a future home to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Mission, the Glenmary mission he pastors. Bishop Richard F. Stika concluded the evening’s reflections. Cardinal Justin Rigali delivered the invocation at the dinner.
CFET director John Deinhart, also the diocese’s director of Stewardship and Strategic Planning, called the foundation the “best kept secret” in the diocese. He announced that, since its inception in 1988, the foundation has distributed $2,581,416 in support of seminarian education and land purchases.
A total of 127 members and guests attended the CFET dinner, including deacons and a large number of priests. Longtime foundation members and newcomers were recognized at the event.
