Sam Aitchison

“I had some really great mentors both in my family and at Iowa City Regina that helped me with an extensive college search. As we looked through mission statements of schools, I appreciated that Saint Louis University’s statement was not only focused on individual development, but centered the development of students for others and for God as well…I respected the Jesuit values of both service and education. SLU is good about being a social organization that reaches out to those who are poor, hungry, and ostracized. It encourages the students to step out of themselves.”

Sam volunteers twice a week at a Catholic school that allows children who are underprivileged to benefit from faith-based education. Sam commented on the student that he works with, “he is my guy. I help him with math, reading, and other school work. If we get that done, we go outside and play football. I just try to be there for him as a mentor and friend.” Sam was connected with this school through his service leadership minor at SLU. As a part Sam’s classwork in the business school, he and a few of his peers are currently helping a local entrepreneur elevate his counseling business. This work is part of SLU’s habitat for neighborhood business. This opportunity is representative of the outreach that Sam appreciates in higher-education institutions and in the Church.

These are just a few examples that illustrate Sam’s heart for service and living out his faith. He also works with Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI) and enjoys that it allows his interests in business/logistics/organization and love for the Church to be married. Sam volunteers his time playing guitar for Campus Ministry at SLU and St. Thomas More when he is home.

Tell us about you!
I’m a parishioner of St. Thomas More in Coralville and graduated from Iowa City Regina in May of 2022. I am currently a sophomore at Saint Louis University triple-majoring in Finance, Leadership and Human Resources, and Catholic Studies. I also am working toward a minor in Service Leadership. At CLI, I am a Strategic Communications Intern. I work as an intermediary for researching and compiling best practice insights with our consultants. Right now, we are looking into Parish Vitality and what truly makes a parish work well.

What do you love about the Diocese of Davenport?
I love the collaboration that I see between parishes. I often see parishes co-hosting events and working together on projects. I also think that Bishop Zinkula is a great leader. He does well at listening to the people of the diocese; you can tell he is a very genuine and thoughtful person.
Additionally, I love the spearhead initiatives that the diocese takes on, such as Vision 20/20 and the Synod. The Catholic Messenger is a great resource for staying up to date on what’s happening in the diocese.

What do you hope for the future of our diocese?
Participation is the first thing that jumps to mind. The numbers don’t lie, and there are less people in the pews than there were 20 and even 10 years ago.
I hope that more people are drawn to our parishes and are able to be transformed by the beautiful thing that is our faith and to bring that faith out to the world. As is said, “the priest consecrates the bread and wine, but the laity consecrates the world.” Another hope of mine is that our diocese becomes well-versed in outreach to those on the margins.

What breaks your heart about your experience of the Church?
It breaks my heart when we, in the Church, are not open-minded enough to broaden our perspectives. It inhibits our viewpoints and understanding. We do this when we get too hung up on the small things and stray from the central Gospel message of communion and love. It also breaks my heart when parishes and communities aren’t viable in welcoming others.

What keeps you in the Church as a young person and what are you excited about in the Church?
The church has always been a strong foundation of who I am. In the transient world, where things are always changing, it provides consistency and a place to come back to, a place for renewal. My experience of the Church has been incredibly transformative. I’ve been blessed to go to parishes that are vibrant and enthusiastic and have good liturgy. That makes a big difference.