This week instead of writing about Two Harbors I feel a need to pay tribute to a great man who loved Catalina.
Every Sunday, Elder Roberts Thomas and his wife, Sister Carol Thomas, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, traveled from Long Beach to Avalon to hold church services.
This week instead of writing about Two Harbors I feel a need to pay tribute to a great man who loved Catalina.
Every Sunday, Elder Roberts Thomas and his wife, Sister Carol Thomas, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, traveled from Long Beach to Avalon to hold church services.
Because there are only a few Latter-day Saints (Mormons) on the Island, holding weekly church meetings could be a challenge.
To ensure consistency for local members, the Thomases were assigned to conduct Latter-day Saint services on the Island. Every Sunday for almost three years, Elder and Sister Thomas faithfully took the ferry from Long Beach, conducted worship services, and then took the ferry back home.
In three years they missed only a handful of Sundays—twice while visiting their children in other states (and then only after absolutely ensuring that someone else would be able to fill in) and a couple times when local members asked them to avoid crossing the channel due to rough weather. The Thomases evinced singular dedication.
All people are welcome to LDS church meetings. On the Island, tourists frequently attend. Whenever guests were present, Elder Thomas, impressed with their desire to attend church even on vacation, particularly in a culture that promotes “Sunday Fun-day” in place of religious worship, would say that someday, when we’re all “on the other side,” we’d meet up again and say, “Remember that day on Catalina.” I suppose he meant to highlight what their choice to attend said about their priorities, and their hearts.
Although Brother Thomas lived on the mainland, he dearly loved the inhabitants of Catalina Island. He spoke highly of all the Avalon taxi drivers, praising their helpfulness and kindness. He called the ferry workers his friends. He prayed for the people of the Island, desiring happiness and peace for us all.
And despite declining health, he traveled here every week. Elder Thomas passed away on Friday, June 5, 2015. On May 31, just days before his passing, he was in Avalon, overseeing church services.
I am grateful to have known this example of consecrated diligence and love. Yes, Brother Thomas, we’ll always “remember that day on Catalina.”
