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 They constitute less than one percent of the million-plus Catholics in the Diocese of San Bernardino but their impact is significant well beyond their numbers. The Assembly was founded by Lois Carson and Thelma Bledsoe in 1983. Over the life of the young diocese, established in 1979 by Pope John XXIII, the Assembly for Catholics of African Descent is a highly valued asset to the leadership. Assembly members have served on all official bodies including the school board, the Diocesan Planning Team, Catholic Women's Commission, RCIA and Diocesan Pastoral Council. They have two representatives on the National Campaign for Human Development. And beyond all that, they still pursue policies and practices in the interest of black Catholics locally and nationally.
Locally the Assembly supports Catholic education at all levels, supporting tuition assistance for ten African American families at St. Anthony (K-8) and six families at the two Catholic high schools in the Diocese. It is believed that these youth deserve a choice in education while at the same time they promote diversity and integration. The Assembly and the KPC #257 underwrite the Science Fair to strengthen the science curriculum at St. Anthony, which they have declared a "community treasure". We embarked on an evangelization effort in the community that surrounds the school.
For the last twenty years, the Assembly has hosted a Black History Mass and brought in a guest homilist every year, including Bishop Joseph Perry and numerous well-known priests. They have co-hosted, along with other Diocesan offices, two workshops "Racial Sobriety" with Father Clarence Williams. The promotion of St. Josephine Bakhita in the Diocese is a high priority towards the celebration of her feast day through the distribution of Bakhita prayer cards. The Assembly supports the KPC in its promotion of the new Mysteries of Light rosary every 5th Sunday at different parishes.
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