Missing a Friend…Father Howard Hansen.
Father Howard Hansen entered my life on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2003. At the time, I was not ready to meet him or understand the impact that he would later have on me. Fr. Howard died on Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011.
I attended the Franciscan Retreat Center’s Men’s Holy Week Retreat for the first time in 2003 and it was here that I met Father Howard Hansen for the first time. Fr. Howard was a Franciscan Friar dedicated to his vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Immediately I felt connected to him because of his booming voice, tremendous passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ
Joel, I lived and worked with Fr. Howard in Prior Lake. Fortunately, I got to say goodbye to him just two weeks before his death. Truly I can say that Fr. Howard was one of the greatest friends of my life. He taught me so much, especially how to accept what comes. I miss him as well!