Tom Delaney (O.F.S.) is the facilitator for Live & Forgive workshops and speaking engagements. He is a Franciscan educational psychologist and theologian devoted to teaching and guiding people from the spiritual afflictions of fear, loneliness and despair, to the spiritual consolations of forgiveness, healing, and renewal.
Tom speaks as a person with lived experience of the journey from fear, loneliness, and despair, to forgiveness, healing, and renewal. With the gift of his own experience overcoming fear, loneliness, and despair, he is able to connect and empathize with someone who is being subjected to oppressive fear, loneliness, and despair in their own situation, and ready to give up. Tom is the dedicated and relentless bearer of lifesaving “good news” for that person: there is real hope and there is a way forward even in the most destructive situation. He did not just read it in a book or hear about it from someone else; he knows knows it because he has lived it.
Tom completed advanced degrees in educational psychology at the University of Minnesota and theology with a concentration in spirituality at St. Catherine University. He received certification in forgiveness education and facilitation through the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University, where he completed his training in an ecumenical cohort of faith leaders from around the world. In addition, he received certification in teaching the Catechism of the Catholic Church (catechesis) through the Catechetical Institute at St. Paul Seminary, where he specifically focused on forgiveness, healing, and spiritual renewal through catechesis for persons who have experienced trauma, addiction, or mental health crisis.
Tom was a featured speaker at this year’s Wellness in the Woods “Power of Hope” Conference and named a “Voice of Hope” by Wellness in the Woods. the He was also a feature speaker at the Catholic Men’s Conference hosted by the Diocese of St. Cloud. His articles on forgiveness, healing and spiritual renewal have been published in Central Minnesota Catholic magazine, including a special series for the Season of Lent.
Tom’s public service includes advocating for wellness in the State Advisory Council for Mental Health, the Children’s Mental Health Subcommittee, State Behavioral Health Planning Council, and the State Rehabilitation Council. In addition, as well as work with the Mental Health Ministry Team of the Diocese of St. Cloud.
Tom lives with his family (human and animal) in woods and pastures just down the road from Dunes State Forest and Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. He is a pasture manager with certification in pasture management from the University of Minnesota.
