On May 3, 1981, the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood community joined many former CPPS members to explore a new concept: Partners on Pilgrimage. A proposal for the new relationship between vowed members and non-vowed members was presented at the 1986 General Chapter of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. The following rationale was given:

We are living in a period of history when the number of ordained priests and professed religious is dwindling. The vitality of the Church depends more and more upon the active participation of the laity in all aspects of the Church’s mission. Fortunately the laity has responded generously in our parishes, in our parochial schools, in social justice organizations, and in many other ministries. These same lay Catholics are expressing a hunger for more opportunities for spiritual development and formation.

There is, then, in general, a need for more collaboration between clergy, religious, and laity in the mission of the Church. In microcosm, our community can participate in this collaboration by sharing the wealth of our spiritual heritage with the laity and by receiving in turn the support of their prayer, their challenge and their dedication.

Sr. Joan Klaas and her Council approved the PARTNERS’ program of extended membership on April 24, 1989. The guidelines for the Partners’ program were drawn up by Sr. Alice Regine Zipfel, Jeanne Donovan, Mary Lee Rovira and Joan Bruen and approved by Sr. Joan Klaas and the Council on June 20, 1989. Sr. Mary Caecilia Sullivan and Sr. Doris Rechtiene were appointed as the first coordinators of the program. In June 1990, Sr. Joann Fischer replaced Sr. Doris as coordinator when Sr. Doris was assigned to South America. During her term, Lorraine Cully was the first layperson appointed as a co-director. The first Commitment Ceremony of the PARTNERS’ program took place on September 15, 1990, for our three Partners: Peggy Miller, Roy Miller and Eileen Rogers. This ceremony was held in Chapel during the evening Vesper service followed by a reception in the dining room.

Sr. Joann Fischer continued as coordinator of Partners until the summer of 1994 when Sr. Elaine Lamm and Rosemeyer were appointed. The Partners Program continued to develop from 1990 to 2001 with membership extending to Finland and South America.

In 2001 the Leadership Team appointed Sr. Carol Orf co-director of Partners with Lorraine Cully. Sr. Carol and Lorraine Cully gathered with all Partners and contact Sisters to assess their needs. Partners and contact Sisters expressed a desire for a deeper spiritual journey. The name of our lay associates was changed from Partners to CPPS Partners in Mission.

In September 2002 CPPS Partners in Mission and contact Sisters were divided into Small Faith Communities, each with an outreach to a mission with the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. The Small Faith Communities chose two leaders and a Leadership Training Workshop was conducted in January 2003. Small Faith Communities meet monthly to pray, share faith, learn about and develop Precious Blood Spirituality, and plan their outreach to the mission of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood.

The Sisters of the Most Precious Blood continue to invite and welcome lay people who feel called to live our charism of reconciliation as CPPS Partners in Mission!