After High School and some college and work experiences Father enlisted in the United States Air Force. Upon completion as an Honor Graduate of both of basic and advanced training, he served as a Law Enforcement Specialist (Military Police). It was there, at the end of the Vietnam Conflict, that he fully realized his call to priesthood. He saw how much the Military Chaplains helped the battle fatigued Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen and vowed that if ever, by the Grace of God, he was ordained a priest - he would volunteer to do the same.

After his honorable discharge in 1976 he went to work in the Franciscan Missions of New Mexico. He worked with youth retreats, helped re-build church buildings, and cared for the poor on the Reservation. During this time his career in Catholic Education began, first as a teacher and coach and then as an Administrator. His last Academic position was as a Lecturer in the Education Department for Western State College in Gunnison Colorado. He also served as the Catholic Campus Minister for that institution. It was there he discerned to enter the seminary.

Father Serban was ordained for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa, California on October 22, 1993. His first assignment was as Teacher and Chaplain for Cardinal Newman High School while assisting at, Holy Spirit Parish - both in Santa Rosa. Following this he was made Parochial Vicar at St. James, Petaluma. Having been an Army Reservist in the Chaplain program since 1989 in 1995 he asked to be released from his diocesan duties to go on ‘Active Duty’. Permission was granted and he did so, being deployed all over the world, until the summer of 2003 when he returned to parish ministry. Since then he has served at St. Bernard’s Parish in Eureka, California, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Clearlake, California, and is presently Pastor of St. Mary Immaculate Parish inLakeport, California.

Father Serban is a Certified Campus Minister as well as a Credentialed Hospital Chaplain; having attained a full three units in Clinical Pastoral Education (C.P.E.) He served on both the Sheriff’s Department of Humboldt County California and the Trinidad California Police force as Chaplain and does so now for the Lake County Sheriffs Department He holds undergraduate degrees in Social Psychology and Theology/ Philosophy. He has a Masters in Education (M.ED.) as well as a Masters in Divinity (MDIV.) His Doctoral studies are in Holistic Theology.

Father Ron’s interests include writing, singing and playing music (guitar), and long-distance Motorcycle riding. He enjoys horseback riding, canoeing, rowing, and volleyball. He is an avid Football Fan.

His work in the parish, other than extensive restoration to the physical plant, has been to build it into a viable, living - active Community, open to all and embracing all. Many people have returned and many young families are now attending. The future only looks promising and to quote a favorite phrase of his; “The best is yet to come”.