Starting Top Row L-R: Hong Dai Nguyen, Sam Stengel, Dan Than Phan, Thomas de Prez, GK Ed Doyle, Jonathan Semmler, Tuan Do, Minh Phong Nguyen. (Front row) Emmanuel Torres, Deacon Chuck Ashburn, Fr. Bill Elser, Msgr. Scott Friend, Deacon Joe Friend, Alex Smith and Ben Riley

The Knights of Columbus of Hot Springs Village hosted the Taste of Faith Dinner.

After the Opening Prayer by Fr. Bill and the Pledge of Allegiance, our Grand Knight, Ed Doyle, gave a summary of the exciting night ahead.

The great Larry Womack then entertained everyone during the reception with just the right style of music.

A wonderful meal was served provided by Jim Sparks and his Home Plate crew. Jim is a member of both our council and our assembly.  The meal was followed up with Fr. Bill’s World Famous Home-Made Ice Cream which is always a hit!!

Monsignor Scott Friend, the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Little Rock gave a very educational speech on the House of Formation and how much the Council’s Financial help enables the them to continue to educate new Priests.  A Short film was shown that described the seminarian vocations program in the state of Arkansas.  Monsignor Friend introduced the 11 guest seminarians that were present. The Council treated them with a leather bookmark with Philippians 4:13 inscribed on it as a small gift.

Additional Speakers were Deacon Joseph Friend who told of a very inspirational time of his experiences as a seminarian.  Following him were a few words from Deacon Chuck Ashburn, the Assistant Vocational Director of the Diocese.

Other Guests of the evening were the 4th Degree Faithful Navigator, Sir Knight Gary Wolfer and his wife Ruth.

Murray and Kim Claassen did a great job in organizing and stewarding this Seminarian Endowment Dinner.

Brother Knight Walter Free took care of the tedious task of ticket sales, volunteers, seating arrangements, and as always, has done a yeoman-like job.  Brothers Tom Conrad and Ted Otero had well-organized and extremely efficient refreshment center

There were many gracious ladies of our parish who helped with so many facets of this dinner.

Grand Knight Ed Doyle presented a check to the House of Formation of $31,000.00 that was raised at the dinner and Fr. Bill Elser also presented them a check of a similar amount that was donated from the regular stewardship of Sacred Heart parishioners.