After publishing more than 160 volumes on a multitude of topics, Msgr. Francis Weber continues to find the "fragments lest they be lost."

Last year he continued his historical series on archdiocesan ministries and organizations with books on Catholic Action, Health Care and Cemeteries, having begun the series in 2001 profiling Secondary Schools in the archdiocese. Now the noted scholar and archdiocesan archivist has issued another fascinating book, "Unity in Diversity," tracing the history of ethnic ministries and Eastern Rites as found in this "most diverse Catholic population of any jurisdiction in North America."

In this recent edition of 87 pages, 44 historical and current photos and 36 different ethnic and religious sections, Msgr. Weber has again collected a unique compendium of facts and memorabilia that otherwise would have remained scattered and unknown. His exhortation on the title page sums up his intentions and underlying philosophy: "Preach the Gospel to Everyone."

That instruction extends to some 30 ethnic groups with an explanation of why and when they arrived and principally the contributions offered by their diversity. As an example, Msgr. Weber delineates the events and struggles that eventually created St. Bridget Chinese Catholic Center and Church located between Cathedral High School and the Pasadena Freeway. At its dedication in 1942, Archbishop John Cantwell declared, "The kindly Mother Church, knowing no racial barriers or political compromises, stretches out her arms to enclose in her embrace the Chinese people of this community."

Similar slices of history and apt descriptions of ethnic diversity comprise a succinct, compact overview of all the peoples who are part of the archdiocese. Besides these ethnic histories, all the churches of the Eastern Catholic Rite are included with interesting statistics as to origin, forms of worship and pioneering founders. Among the most recent arrivals are the Syrian Christians; the liturgy at Jesus Sacred Heart Antiochene Church in North Hollywood is celebrated in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus.

The unprecedented influx of peoples, as Msgr. Weber states, accounts for the multi-ethnic nature of the onetime Pueblo de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles. His recent edition on the subject offers a comprehensive and valuable achievement.

Unity in Diversity is published by the Saint Francis Historical Society, Mission Hills, Calif. For information, call the Archival Center, (818) 365-1501. The entire collection of five volumes will now be available as a boxed set, also from the archival center.