Katherine Piderman was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, but has lived in the midwestern US most of her adult life.  Her education includes Master’s degrees in education, pastoral studies, and scripture, and a PhD in psychology.  A Catholic laywoman, Kate served for 20 years in parishes in rural Illinois and for over 25 years as a chaplain, mostly at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She is associate professor in the Mayo College of Medicine and remains involved in research in spirituality and health.  She has more than 40 publications and has taught in many settings – regionally, nationally, and internationally.  Kate is also a spiritual director and feels blessed to accompany people seeking to explore and deepen their faith in the midst of the complexities of life.  She loves the outdoors and is often delighted by the many ways God is present when she is still enough to notice.