Sermons

Ron comes to the cathedral with ten years of experience serving as an interim dean or interim rector, including two years at St. Mary's Cathedral in Memphis, Tennessee. He has also served as a full time rector for eleven years at churches in Alabama. He has worked as a spiritual director, an education and programming director, a director of campus ministry, a religion consultant, a rehabilitation counselor and a professor. Most of his ministry has been spent in Alabama, but he has also worked in, besides the aforementioned Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Minnesota and his native Ohio. (Ron grew up in the city of Warren in the northeastern part of the state.)

He and his wife, Dr. Eleanor McKenzie DelBene, are founders of The Hermitage, a non-profit corporation that provides opportunities for personal and professional growth under Eleanor's direction. In the past, while working for the Hermitage, Ron has led corporate, diocesan and parish consultations, conferences and retreats, as well as provided coaching and spiritual direction for corporate executives, clergy and laity.

Ron completed seminary studies at the University of the South, and holds an M.A. in theology from Marquette University and a B.A. in philosophy and English from Gannon College. He earned a Doctor of Ministry from the University of Creation Spirituality. His publications and audio and video productions include Exploring the Sacred in Death and Dying; the Pathways in Spiritual Growth series; Praying in the Midst of Life; the Times of Change, Times of Challenge series; the Into the Light collection; From the Heart: Stories of a Pastor's Walk with his People and Christmas Remembered: A Collection of Stories.

Ron and Eleanor have two grown children, Paul and Anne. Paul and his spouse, Gayle, have a daughter, Matsue, and a son, Luca.