Diocese of Victoria Welcomes New Priest

The Ordination of Father William Hann

Sunday, August 15,2004

BY DARRYL WILSON

-The Diocesan Messenger –  Sept 2004

The ordination ceremony of the Diocese of Victoria?s newest priest may have been an evening of intense heat, but that didn’t stop the 750 people gathered at St Andrew’s Cathedral from coming out to bear witness to the beginning of a new journey. Sunday, August 15,2004, saw standing room only, as family, friends, former students and former co-workers gathered to celebrate the ordination of Deacon William Hann to the priesthood

William was ordained priest by Bishop Richard Gagnon, after having recently received the order of Deacon last May. For the newly ordained, the journey marks a turning point in his life spending most of his years serving as a teacher in the Island Catholic Schools system. The ordination of a new priest is a sign of hope for the Catholic Church, which has been struggling with shortages of priests all over the world. According toFr.John Laszczyk, Vocations Director for the Diocese, the last time the Diocese had an ordination was on June 28, 1992, when Fr. Shane Craig, Fr. Mike Favaro and Fr. Mako Watanabe were ordained.

Tanya Taft, a long time co-worker and friend of Hann?s at St. Andrew’s Regional High School, says that William will be an inspiration to all in our Diocese. I was sad to see him go, says Taft, but I knew where he was going and so I was thrilled and excited for him. When someone is filled with the joy and peace that I saw in William, I couldn’t help but feel good about it. Tanya says Hann will always be remembered at St. Andrew’s, not only for his passion for social justice, but also for being a very good friend. He started the Mexico Mission trips at the High School. He has always been so enthusiastic about life and has had a profound influence on his students and those around him. Taft believes that Fr. Hann will have a huge impact on the parishioners he serves. His faith is so inspirational and his love for people is just wonderful. Both of these things will certainly be present in whatever parishes he serves in.

William Hann spent many years teaching in Island Catholic Schools, first teaching at Queen of Angels School in Duncan before moving on to St. Andrew?s Regional High School. He will be best remembered for his leadership and devotion to social justice issues. In 2001, he ran from Queen of Angels School in Duncan to St. Andrew’s Regional High School to raise money for the High School?s mission trip to Mexico

Even former students who had been taught by him for several years are glad to see him back in a teaching role. ?I think it?s awesome for him. He’s always wanted to be more and teach more than just a curriculum, says Darren Thomas, a former student, to whom William taught Social Studies and Religion at St. Andrew?s Regional High School from grades eight to eleven. He’s really achieved something special and while it’s odd for a student to speak about a teacher in such regard, I’d have to say I think all of us are really proud of him. Thomas has always had faith in his former teacher and never once doubted that he could become a priest.      When a guy can jog from Duncan to Victoria for a cause he believes in, you know that he can accomplish anything he puts his mind to, continues Thomas. He believes that Fr. Hann can bring a very strong real-life message to the Catholics of the diocese. ?Fr. Hann has always been filled with an incredible amount of energy. He won?t shy from the big issues and I think that he will bring about very positive changes in our Diocese. He also knows how to talk to the youth of our community. Having served on the front lines for so many years, he knows what to say to get the attention of youth.?