Deacon Ed Hanks

Ed Hanks and his wife Julie are parishioners at St. Joseph in Ponchatoula. They have been married 25 years and have 6 children. Ed has enjoyed diaconate formation, particularly the classes at Franciscan University. He finds the classes intellectually challenging. The classes, and the great teaching staff, have helped him to come to a much fuller understanding of the Church and our Catholic Faith. Ed had not considered the diaconate until his priest asked him. He remembers being at a Subway for lunch when he received a call from Fr. Ramon asking him to discern diaconate formation. He soon found himself enrolled in the process and on his journey which has been challenging and hard, and at the same time a blessing for him and his family. He is thankful for the way the Holy Spirit is working in his family, drawing them closer to Jesus Christ!

Ed and his wife Julie have coordinated their parish’s RCIA process for the past 15 years. They are also active in pro-life ministry. Three of their children are adopted through the Louisiana Foster System. Julie, along with their kids, pray and sidewalk counsel at the abortion facility on Tuesday mornings, and as a family they have made the pilgrimage to Washington DC and the March for Life 10 times.