st. joseph of cupertino parish in california, the ceremony brings both comfort and renewal. >> i find nourishment in it. it's a way of being quiet for a while. and to let my mind focus on just communication with god. >> hansen's religious sensibility isn't limited to rituals like this. it also infuses all eight novels written by this highly acclaimed author. you really do see writing as a kind of sacrament, don't you? >> yes. it's a witness to what god is doing in the world. we're supposed to worship and praise, and i can't think of a better way of worshipping and praising than to write poetry or fiction. >> why? why did you have to come? >> because you're my son. >> "missing pieces" is the made for tv movie of hansen's novel "att "atticus." the story of the prodigal son. >> i began with the story of my grandfather and the idea of god walking on earth. i thought of atticus as the god figure. the prodigal son story is a god figure and a human being figure. >> hansen's "assassination of jesse james" exploration the relationship between the legendary outlaw played in the film adaptation by brad pitt