Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis, Episcopal Vicar for Ethnic Ministries, will convene the first Archdiocesan Convocation for Ethnic Ministries Dec. 11, beginning the regrouping of the various Archdiocesan ethnic ministries and recognizing clergy and laity who are serving ethnic communities.

"A couple of years ago the office [of Ethnic Ministries] was dissolved, but in spite of this leaders continued the ministry in various capacities," said Bishop Solis. "There is still work going on the archdiocese. The idea of this convocation is to jumpstart the newly formed Office of Ethnic Ministries."

The three-fold purpose of the convocation --- to recognize with gratitude all the efforts of clergy and laity who have served various ethnic communities; to establish the foundation of all the pastoral efforts and initiatives of the newly defined and recognized Archdiocesan Office of Ethnic Ministries; and to initiate the effort of consolidating all the leaders of ethnic communities --- mirrors the convocation's theme, "With Grateful Anticipation: Unity in Diversity," noted Bishop Solis.

The Office of Ethnic Ministries in its new form will unify and coordinate the 40 identified ethnic ministry groups in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

"This is the beginning of the process of identifying and officially recognizing how many ethnic communities we have and identifying the leaders," explained Bishop Solis. "In this way we can consolidate all our efforts so that there will be a more organized manner of promoting the work of evangelization of various ethnic and culture groups."

The convocation of Ethnic Ministries will take place on Dec. 11, 9 a.m.-noon at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center. For more information contact the Office of Ethnic Ministry, (213) 637-7465.