February 10, 1990. A venue was set for the first formal
gathering at St. Joseph College in 1991.
On October 20, 1990 the Amici organizing commit-
tee met with Fr. Jim McCabe at Pat Fitzgerald’s home
in Bowling Green. A statement of agreement read; “For
any relationship some mutual benefit is important. The
Amici can enrich the c.pp.s. with a variety of talents.
Those represent skills in medical, financial, social,
prison system administration, communication and
management specialties. The Amici gain by the com-
munity’s sharing its Precious Blood spirituality differ-
ent than the Precious Blood devotion in our training.
The relationship benefited from sharing publica-
tions, inclusion in the directory, biennial reunions,
invitations to local celebrations, death notices, and
prayer announcements for health concerns.
At the 1993 gathering at St. Joseph College, 41 c.pp.s.
members and 112 Amici were present. Roger Fecher
suggested developing a data base with individual
Amici information. 101 responses were received. Areas
of expertise were forwarded to the community for pos-
sible use in dealing with its needs. The response was
neutral and never pursued.
1994 was a crucial time for the development of the
group due to waning interest. Soon very pointed com-
muniques from both the community and Amici seemed
to bring about the beginnings of a potential dialogue.
Discussions with provincials from the Kansas City
Province gave new life to the venture. In the summer of
1995, Fr. Tom Albers met with the coordinating group
(Joe & Pat Hanish, Tony and Angie Spitzig, Greg and
Barb Dues, and Dennis & Carol Keller) in Michigan.
Tom saw the Amici as a bridge between the past and
future Church: “Both the c.pp.s. and the Amici are
dealing with an identity search. The community is
dealing with developing an approach to Precious Blood
spirituality. The Amici have a unique perspective that
could aid the community with their experience of the
lay state.” He also made mention of the Companion
Movement’s effort to identify itself. The localizing of the
Companion near c.pp.s. parishes and institutions and
the vast dispersion of the Amici throughout the country
further emphasized the difference.
In the September, 1995 issue of the Amici newslet-
ter, Fr. Mark Miller wrote, “It seems to me we have a
Amici Leadership, 2011. Front: Carol Keller, Jenny Ritzel, Joy Simon,
Pat Hanish, Bernie Hafner, Barb Kaiser, Joe Noga
Back: Dennis Keller, Fr. Al Naseman, Mike Simon, Bob Hafner,
Bob Kaiser, Joe Hanish
spirituality that can enhance your ministry and out-
reach in building the Reign of God and you can offer
us suggestions about how we can be more supportive of
parents and families in dealing with the issues of our
society and of our Church. Let us spend time together
respecting the knowledge of one another and trusting
the experiences of one another’s lifestyle. Let us create
networks of dialogue based on an openness and accep-
tance of the Spirit dwelling within.”
In the August 1, 1996 Amici newsletter, Fr. Mark
Miller wrote this: “As we look to the future, we know
there will be need for more collaboration with the laity
and more shared ministry to meet the needs of those
with whom we pray and work. Recognizing the gifts
and talents of our former members in the commu-
nity, we wondered whether they would wish to work
in collaboration with us in full time church ministry.
We looked at positions such as parish administration,
finance personnel, directors of certain ministries on
a parish or diocesan level, working with us, praying
with us, and sharing the charism and spirituality of the
Precious Blood. We don’t want to lose the gifts of those
who have shared our history and spirituality.”
In his 1997 keynote address to the Amici,
Fr. Mark Miller remarked, “In our Province we have
struggled for several years trying to understand how
to state the relationship between our community and
a member who desires to remain a part of us but no
longer feels called to celibacy or the ordained priest-
hood. According to Canon Law and the statutes of
our congregation, there is an either/or proposition:
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