Fostering the next generation of leaders in the Church has been part of Catholic Leadership Institute’s mission since its founding over 30 years ago. Dan Cellucci, now CEO, was the first intern. In 2023, we launched an official internship program to meet the needs of our growing apostolate and to help students develop their leadership skills. Interns typically serve for one semester and work about 10-15 hours per week.
Let’s get to know our recent interns!
Sam Aitchison— Communications Intern
Sam is majoring in Finance, Leadership, and Human Resources at Saint Louis University. “I felt that my internship with CLI was more valuable than any marketing class I have ever taken,” he said. What stood out most about his experience, however, was the Catholic identity he discovered. “This internship has deepened my faith and hope for our Church,” Sam explained. His internship experience inspired him “to live CLI’s mission in my daily life—creating vibrant faith communities rooted in Jesus Christ.”
Kelli (Wegerer) Seiwert— Ministry Development Intern
Kelli is a Wichita native currently studying Christian Formation and Ministry with a minor in Psychology at Friends University. Her job involves managing data for CLI’s client base and helping to write proposals for bishops, illustrating how CLI’s offerings can help them serve their dioceses. Kelli’s favorite part of her job so far has been meeting bishops. “Being able to see Christ just dwell through their heart and see the love that they have for their people that they are in charge of, all the souls that they are in charge of, I think that’s just so cool,” she shared.
Bryce Pattison— Philanthropy Intern
Bryce is studying Social Work at Saint Louis University. He is passionate about evangelization and also serves as a youth minister with Life Teen. Bryce says his internship has involved “helping gather materials and talk to donors.” His biggest takeaway? “I have learned...how to interact with donors and share my faith,” he explains. Bryce looks forward to using these skills in a future career as a youth minister or therapist.
Trinity Chester— Communications Intern
Trinity is a senior from California where she studies Liberal Arts at Thomas Aquinas College. The experience has taught her about creating a strong brand and targeting audiences through social media. “My work has involved bothdetail-oriented tasks such as data analysis and more creative projects like writing and graphic design,” she says. Her favorite part of the job was creating beautiful posts to share the truth of the Catholic Faith and the good work that CLI is doing in dioceses across the nation. "I would recommend this internship to anyone who is looking to use their skills to build up the Church while growing into their own role as a leader along the way,” she says. “These are people whose goal truly is to get to Heaven and bring you along!”
Header photo: Sam Aitchison presented to team members at the Team Days session on “Communications.” In this presentation, Sam is setting the stage for the new CLI brand refresh rollout.
Our CEO Daniel Cellucci's weekly email, the DIAL: Discerning Insights About Leadership.
CLI serves Church leaders, helping them rediscover their potential and forming them to be more intentional with those they serve.
CLI helps empower and energize Catholic leaders by providing focus and courage to engage the culture with an apostolic mindset.
