Promoting Catholic life and thought in Massachusetts’ Purple Valley through reading groups, seminars, lecture series, and other events.
St. Kateri’s life represents a composite of charisms within the Catholic Church and thus reflects the rich intellectual tradition that the Institute seeks to promote.
St. Kateri was baptized by French Jesuits. Her baptismal name, Kateri, is the Mohawk derivation of Catherine, as in the Dominican saint Catherine of Sienna. Like St. Francis of Assisi, she had a particular love for nature.
We are inspired by her dedication and courage even amidst considerable suffering and persecution. Though ridiculed for her faith, young Kateri quietly endured the hostility to draw closer to Christ.
The Institute is named after and invokes the intercession of St. Kateri in our mission to promote the Catholic intellectual tradition in the beautiful setting of the Berkshires.
She was born in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon, the site of present-day Auriesville, New York — only an hour-and-a-half drive away from Williamstown.
Situated as we are in the lovely Purple Valley, and concerned as we are for the careful stewardship of the environment, it is fitting that our institute’s patron, the “Lily of the Mohawks,” is also the patron saint of ecology and the environment.
Part-Time Director
Dr. Marco Stango did his graduate studies in philosophy at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Milan and the University of Macerata (Italy). In addition to being the Part-Time Director of the St. Kateri Institute, Marco is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry in Rochester, NY. He has published widely on various philosophical subjects. He is interested in the Catholic philosophical and theological tradition, the history of philosophy, and all the topics lying at the intersection of metaphysics and anthropology.
Development and Communications Coordinator
Heather Rivera earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from Amherst College and her Master of Social Work (MSW) in macro practice from Boston University, focusing on organizational and program management. She has worked in development and fundraising in both nonprofit and foundation settings. She is drawn to development because she feels passionate about the connection between generous funding and impactful programs.
2026-2027 SKI Student Fellow
Laura Ryan is a senior at Williams College, where she studies Economics and History and plays on the varsity field hockey team. She is actively involved in the Catholic community at Williams, serving on the Williams Catholic Board and helping create opportunities for prayer and fellowship on campus. Through Williams Catholic, Laura also had the opportunity to travel to Spain and walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago, an experience that has shaped the role of faith in her everyday life. Outside of academics, faith, and athletics, Laura enjoys running, hiking, baking, and spending time outdoors.
2026-2027 SKI Student Fellow
Seamus Regan is a senior at Williams College, pursuing a B.A. in Classics and in Philosophy. Outside the classroom, he is a captain on the men’s lacrosse team, and serves as the co-president of the Thomistic Institute at Williams College. He is interested in Western tradition, particularly its application to American culture and society. Additionally, he enjoys moral philosophy and theology.
James L. Nolan Jr., President
Jack Miller, Treasurer
Darel E. Paul, Clerk
Isabelle Ostertag
David Vascones
Diana Vascones
The St. Kateri Institute is proud to be a chapter of Catholic Rural Life (CRL), a national, Catholic nonprofit organization dedicated to the vitality of our Catholic faith in the American countryside. Since 1923, CRL has joyfully been promoting Catholic life in rural America. Their vision is to engage thriving families, farms, and parishes – centered on faith, community, and care of creation. CRL advances its mission by supporting our pastors through programs such as Thriving in Rural Ministry to support our Rural Pastors; Thriving Rural Congregations, to support our lay leaders collaborating with their rural priests and the continued development and support of locally organized CRL Chapters.
As a CRL Chapter, we organize and develop activities around local needs in an effort to share the Catholic faith, God’s creation, and the importance of the rural and agricultural life for the sustenance of our families, our communities and our world.
The St. Kateri Institute is proud to be a member of the In Lumine Network, which promotes collaboration among Catholic institutes located at non-Catholic colleges and universities. They are dedicated to the exploration of fundamental questions and the integration of faith and reason. We draw on the Catholic intellectual tradition and serve Catholic and non-Catholic students alike. Through fellowship programs, lectures, and seminars, we foster intellectual friendship pursuing fundamental questions and promoting dialogue in an atmosphere of humble exchange.
